Why Do Horses Have Manes And Tails?

Horses manes and tails are very beautiful, but what purpose do they serve? Why do some horses have thin manes and tails and others have thick, luxuriant ones? In this article, we explore these questions and more.

Manes Are Beautiful And Functional

You may have noticed that some wild horses, zebras and donkeys have short manes, but most domestic horses or wild horses who come from domestic stock tend to have long manes.

One theory is that domesticated horses have been bred to have longer, more attractive manes and tails.

Another theory is that horse breeds that mostly live in hotter climates, such as the Appaloosa horse or some African breeds, tend to have thinner, shorter manes and tails because this is more practical for hot climates.

In addition to the aesthetics, a horses mane is useful for shooing away flies, and it’s good to hold onto when you’re riding bareback.

Additionally, when stallions fight, they bite each other on the neck. Some people speculate that a long, thick mane provides some protection against injury.

What About Horses’ Long, Luxuriant Tales?

When you compare a horse’s tail to the tail of a donkey or zebra, you’ll see that there are some big differences.

The bony part of a horse’s tail is fairly short, but some horses have thick tail hair that falls all the way to the ground.

Donkeys and zebras, on the other hand have longer, thin tails with shorter hair along the length of the tail and a decorative tuft at the end. Why this difference?

As with manes, the length, thickness and texture of an equine’s tail may have a lot to do with the climate. Zebras and donkeys tend to live in hotter, drier climates. For this reason, they mostly need tails for swatting flies.

Many wild horses naturally live in cold climates. During cold weather, a long, thick tail can help keep the nearly hairless skin beneath it warm and comfortable.

Long thick tails are especially good for swatting away flies in the area surrounding a horse. Many times horse friends will stand head to tail to swat flies off each other with their long, luxuriant tales.

Watch Your Horse’s Tail To Know What He Is Thinking!

A horse’s tail is also used as a means of communication. Watch for these tail positions to understand what your horse may be thinking and feeling:

1. A tail lifted in the air or “flagged” can indicate enthusiasm.
2. Tail flattened against the body may indicate that your horse is cold or afraid.
3. Tail swishing is an expression of irritation. This may be because of flies, or it may be because of you or another horse.
4. Tail wringing is an indication of an angry or uncomfortable horse. If your horse is wringing its tail while you’re riding, get off and check all of your tack to make sure that everything is fitted correctly.

Should You Cut Or Dock Your Horse’s Mane And Tail?

For the most part, it’s best to keep your horse’s mane and tail as close to their natural state as possible. There’s a reason why a horse has the mane and tail it has, so the best thing you can do is simply keep it clean and brushed.

You may want to trim a bridle track directly behind your horse’s ears to make it easier to bridle up, but otherwise trust nature to give your horse the mane and tail it should have.

How To Brush A Horse’s Mane And Tail

Frequently Asked Questions