What are the disadvantages of tail bandages for horses?

Answer 1

Tail bandages are very helpful if you have a horse that rubs his tail. Or if your horse has friends that like to chew his tail. They also protect in the horsetrailer where the tail can be damaged in the cramped quarters.

Answer 2

A tail bandage which is too loose will fall off and could get tangled in the horse's legs, while an over-tight bandage could cause permanent damage to the tail.

Repeated use of an over-tight bandage may cause white hairs to appear in a dark coloured tail, damage to the underside of the dock, or in extreme cases, cause the tail hair to fall out.

An over-tight bandage can also cause an extreme "colic-like" reaction from the horse or pony, especially from those who have not worn a tail bandage before. Leaping around, rolling, sweating and bucking can all be caused by an incorrectly applied tail bandage. Remove the tail bandage and normality will be restored.

For the average horse owner I would say "if in doubt, go without". A slightly rubbed tail can normally be brushed down at a show/hunt etc with a little water, although horses which really "sit back" and damage their tail when being travelled may need additional protection.