Horse anatomy
Tail
The long hair at the back of the horse. Helps swat bugs and show feelings.
A closer look
The tail has two parts: the dock, a short, bony extension of the spine covered with skin and muscle, and the long hair that grows from it. Horses can lift, swish, and clamp their tails, so the tail works both as a fly swatter and as a way to show feelings.
Why it matters
Tail signals help you read a horse. A gently swinging tail usually means relaxation, hard swishing can mean irritation, pain, or annoyance, and a tail clamped down tight can mean fear or cold.
Care tip
To brush the tail, stand to the side of the hindquarters, not behind, and hold the tail as you work. Pick out tangles by hand first, since tail hair grows slowly and breaks easily.
Common mistake
Standing directly behind a horse to brush its tail puts you right where a kick would land. A red ribbon tied in a tail is a traditional warning that the horse may kick.
Fun fact
Horses often stand head to tail with a friend, so each one's tail can swat flies off the other's face.