My foal has a matted tail??

Question

Why does my foal have a matted tail.Is it because he is out of the forest and nobody could bother to put a comb through it or should it be cut?

Answer 1

Foals, due to the fact that they aren't usually groomed like an adult horse, do tend to get matted tails.

The solution is to start grooming him. Gradually brush the matts out, a little at a time, as much as the foal will tolerate, he will get bored quickly. Only trim the tail at the bottom to get it off the ground.

The correct length to trim a horse's tail is to put your arm underneath the top of the tail then trim the bottom to a couple of inches below the hock.

Note that native ponies should keep longer tails, the same as above, but about half way down the pastern.
Shetlands should be trimmed with the tail flat to its bottom, to just above the ground.

Answer 2

No, you don't cut it...You can wash it and use creme rinse on it and comb it while the rinse is in it and get the tangles out, just as you would your own. You say colt, but you don't say how old or if this colt is halter broke..If he isn't, then you could get some help and push him up into a corner of a barn and just spray de tangler on it and then comb it with a large tooth comb, from the bottom up. If noting else, just wait until Spring until you can get some help and until the weather gets warmer. I just went back and re read your question, you said, "foal"...how old is your foal? Is his tail matted because he has loose stools? If so, you may need to call your vet and have him check over to see if there is anything unusual about the color and/or consistency of his bowels and if he needs treatment of some kind. At least, try to catch up your foal and use shampoo and wash it out, even if you can't comb it out...then watch it to see if his stool is contributing to the matting.

Answer 3

Start untangling it from the bottom, move up a couple of inches untangle more...poor kid, that's got to be uncomfortable.