This is not a joke. It is a true story and it is happening around the world.
A couple of weeks ago, the tail of a horse outside of the Allentown area was cut, leaving just a stub of a tail. This horse belongs to one of my friends. It happened overnight in a quiet area and she was very upset. This horse had a very nice long tail, too. Who could have done something like this?
It turns out that this is not an isolated incident. In Colorado, 15 horses and ponies on a farm had missing tails. Similar cases have occurred in recent years in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Florida as well as Australia and Canada.
Who would do something like this and why?? Could the motive be for financial gain or for use by a cult? Or could this just be a prank?
Horse hair is used in making belts, hat bands, tail extensions, violin bows and other products, but manufacturers typically purchase it in bulk from suppliers in China, which obtain the hair from slaughterhouses or live horses.
Most would not buy a couple of pounds of unprocessed horse hair from an individual. The thief would not earn much from an illicit sale. A pound of raw hair might be worth $37 to $80, depending on the color and length.
The horses will suffer in the warmer months when they are unable to use their tails to swat flies. The tails grow at a rate of 3 - 4 inches per year.
A suspect will face charges of animal cruelty and trespassing, but investigators have no leads.
Neighbors of my friend's are raising money to buy a tail extension for her horse so that at least he will be comfortable for the summer months until his tail grows in fully.
This mystery is baffling many and owners are angry about it.
There's just no explaining the things that some people will do.....why would you cut a horses tail off. Now I've seen other horses chew their neighbors tail off, usually a bored horse. Are you sure it wasn't another animal?
Hi Brigita,
That is so strange! I'm so sorry for your friend!
Michael
Hi Brigita,
That is so strange! I'm so sorry for your friend!
Michael
Brian:
The tail was definitely cut. The horse's blanket was also sliced. It looked like a knife had cut the blanket.
Brigita
Michael:
When my friend told me about it, I couldn'g believe it myself. Who would do such a crazy thing like that?
Brigita
That's just dumb...sneaking around in the middle of the night to cut off a horse tail. Hopefully they catch whoever did it.
Brian:
I agree with you. I too hope the thieves are caught.
Brigita
Brigita, tell you friend when the weather is not zero or below, to wash the tail and water the tail bone down in the evening, a small chill will increase the bloodflow to that area and it will make the tail grow faster than normal... We used to do that every day after grooming all spring and summer, it did work well the horse will grow much more tail than the 4 inches normally.
Gail:
Thank you for the advice. I will let her know.
Brigita
Brigita I have heard of this in the past but, not recently. I just hope it does not make to my area. We have quite a few horse farms in the area and with the warmer months coming up that would be cruel.
Brigita, that's terrible. To think this is happening inside our own country. we'll look around our local online newsmedia and see if there are any similar incidents here in lancaster county. Please keep us informed as we have several clients and friends who have horse properties.
Thanks for letting us know
Sincerely, Active Castellum
Taking up a collection for a tail extension? How much are they?
Sorry to hear that.
Brigita- This is terrible, like you said, there is not even sufficient financial gain to do something like this.
Brigita, that is horrible, maybe they are using it for jewelry or something. People can be horrible sometimes, I was thinking extensions till I got to the end of the article.
Larry:
This is extremely cruel. Why would anyone do this? It makes no sense at all.
Brigita
Everard:
I will keep everyone updated as more info comes to light.
Brigita
Angelia:
My understanding is that these tail extensions are expensive. Don't know exactly how much, though. Never needed one for any of my horses.
Brigita
Katerina:
That's why it is so baffling.
Brigita
Christine:
Who knows what the motive for the thefts are. No matter what the reason, it is still cruel.
Brigita
I remember seeing this on the news. Wasn't this same horse hurt last year too? Poor thing. Interesting that they make extensions for horse tails though!
Krista:
This poor horse has been through a lot. Over a year ago, someone shot beebees at this horse and one hit him in the eye, blinding him in that eye. Through all that this horse has endured, he still keeps on going.
Brigita
Do you know the area in Colorado where this happened to multiple horses?
And are you speaking of cutting the hair or the hair and the tail bone?
Unspeakable cruelty.
Sabrina:
It happened in Elbert County in Colorado, which is southeast of Colorado.
The tails were cut up to the tail bone. It is absolutely terrible. :-(
Brigita
Hi Brigita, Tail Theives?! Now I've heard everything. My neice got a tail extension included with the purchase of her gray quarterhorse. She thought it was silly & never used it. So if your friend doesn't mind gray maybe we could help!
Marian:
That would be so wonderful! I'm sure my friend won't mind what color it is and she'll be grateful for it. Thank you.
Brigita