How to protect tail from being eaten?

[Third_Time_Lucky]

This may be a daft question but does anyone know if there is some sort of tail sleeve than can be used for turning a horse out in. My boy's tail is being eaten by one of the other horses he is turned out with and I need some way to protect it before there's nothing left!

He's out for between 2-3 hours daily so would need to be something that isn't too tight and probably attaches to his turnout rug so that it stays on - is there such a thing? Otherwise does anyone had any good tips from stopping others eating his tail?

Thanks.

 

[Enfys]

There are tail bags available, but plaiting may help, or even putting three 'bunches' into the legs of tights and plaiting that.

For the short period of time your horse is out I'd just plait his tail and tie it up (plait, tie in knot around bottom of dock, split end into two, wrap loose ends around each other and band, not particularly pretty, but effective) I used to use one rubber band, clever polo people can tie tails up with no bands.

 

[Charlie007]

I would be very wary of putting a bandage etc on for any length of time, I say this because a few years ago my horse kept rubbing his tail whilst stabled so I put a bandage on.Over the next few days the whole of his tail fel out. All that was left was a bit on the dock,I was heartbroken. Think his tail got too hot, I don't even travel him in a tail bandage or guard now. Woudld it be safe to try something like crib stop on his tail, nasty taste?

 

[Third_Time_Lucky]

Great idea about the tights. Think I'll plait, cover plait with one leg of tights and then tie up. Hopefully that'll do the trick.

 

[mimbulator]

I had the same problem with my mares mane, one of her fireld mates cept chomping it. someone reccomended putting crib stop on it (just the hair not the skin) and the culprit has stopped, she has now got all of her main back.

 

[Passtheshampoo]

My colt foal ate his mum's tail then when he was weaned started on his fieldmates tail. I plastered it in vaseline and cayenne pepper and he stopped chewing it so can definitely recommend putting something on the tail which tastes nasty.

 

[camilla4]

Diluted Jeyes fluid!! Make sure you don't get it on the dock - you shouldn't need much.

 

[ISHmad]

Slar pig oil all over his tail. It won't harm your horse if it comes into contact with his skin. And will taste very bitter to the horse or horses who are are eating the tail. Further bonus is the pig oil is useful for preventing mud fever so you can use it for that at the same time.