Meet Jenny: The Longest Tail on a Horse (13 ft 6 in) and Tail Care

Longest tail on a horse: Jenny's 13 ft 6 in record

The longest tail on a horse belongs to Jenny, an American Saddlebred mare whose tail measures 412.62 cm (13 ft 6 in). Guinness World Records confirmed the measurement, taken on July 25, 2026, and published the news in September.

That is about as long as a Volkswagen Beetle, according to Guinness. Jenny's registered name is Mountjoy's Ice Princess, and she lives at an equestrian school in Spring Valley, Ohio.

The story popped up again on Oct. 15, when UPI shared a video of the record.

Quick facts about Jenny's record

The old record stood for almost 20 years. It was held by a mare owned by a family in Augusta, Kansas.

How Jenny got her tail

Jenny came to one of her owners as a 13th-birthday gift in 2019. Back then, her tail touched the ground but was not long. Her owner says Jenny had pulled it out when she was younger.

Her owners decided to let the natural tail grow. It kept growing, so they went for the record. Guinness says it took seven years of growth and careful upkeep.

After the record was confirmed, Jenny got a trim. One of her owners joked that Jenny is looking forward to fewer long tail groomings.

How do horse tails grow?

A horse's tail hair is not like the soft hair on its body. Tail and mane hair is thicker and stronger, and it grows continuously for years before it falls out. Coat hair is different: it sheds and grows back with the seasons.

How long a tail can get depends on a few things:

• Genetics: some horses just grow more hair.
• Food: good nutrition helps hair and skin stay healthy.
• Breakage: this is the big one. Hair that snaps off can never get long.
• Healthy skin: the hair grows from living roots in the skin.

Here is a myth to skip: cutting a tail does not make it grow thicker. A trim only changes the ends, which can look fuller because they are blunt.

Why are Saddlebreds known for long tails?

American Saddlebreds are show horses famous for high-stepping style and flowing tails. In the show ring, a long tail looks elegant, so riders and trainers value it. One of Jenny's owners said this is why her tail was grown out.

Some show Saddlebreds are trained with "tail sets," devices that change how the tail is carried. Under US Equestrian rules, tail sets are training devices and are not allowed in the competition ring, though inconspicuously added hair is permitted. Jenny's team took a different path. They kept her own natural hair and protected it for years.

Want to meet more breeds? Check our breeds page.

How Jenny's owners care for her tail

This is the part that makes the record possible. According to Guinness, the routine looks like this:

1. Wash about once a month, or when needed, to keep it clean and healthy.
2. Condition and dry the tail.
3. Detangle it carefully.
4. Braid it for protection, loosely near the tailbone and tighter farther down.
5. Slip it into a tail bag to keep dirt off. It comes out only for washing or shows.

The whole job takes about 4 to 5 hours. Jenny can get impatient, so treats help.

The braid is loose near the top for a reason. It keeps the tail from being stepped on and torn out, whether by Jenny or by another horse.

Kid-friendly horse tail care basics

You don't need a record tail to care for a tail well. Here is a simple checklist for any horse, always with a grown-up helper.

Do

• Ask first. Check with the horse's owner or instructor before touching a tail.
• Stand to the side. Stay near the horse's hip, never directly behind.
• Detangle gently by hand. Start at the bottom and work up, one small bit at a time.
• Use a tail bag or loose braid if the owner says it is okay, to keep hair clean.
• Reward the horse. Treats and a calm voice make grooming easier.

Don't

• Never pull the tail. It hurts, and it can break the hair.
• Never cut a horse's tail or let a friend do it. Only the owner or a trained adult should trim it.
• Never yank a brush through knots. That snaps hair off.
• Never stand right behind a horse. A horse can kick if it is startled.

For more, read our guides on grooming and horse safety, plus How to Groom a Horse and How to Braid a Horse Mane. Our horse facts for kids are a fun read too.

Why a tail matters to a horse

A tail is not just for looks. Horses swish theirs to shoo flies, and they use it to show how they feel. Because it is so useful, a horse needs its tail to stay healthy and untangled.

That is also why kids should never treat a tail like a toy.

What to watch next

• Look for Guinness World Records to share more of Jenny's story, since the news is still circulating.
• Ask a local barn if you can watch a tail braiding or a bath. It is a great way to learn.
• Check our trends page for new horse stories each week.

Records can change, and Jenny's 13 ft 6 in mark is the one to beat for now.