It’s important to ensure your horse’s tail is adequately protected while travelling in a lorry or trailer, and tail guards for horses, which sometimes come with bags, are becoming more popular as alternatives or additions to the more traditional elasticated tail bandage.
The best tail guards, with or without bags, will offer a good level of protection while also helping to keep it clean during transit. As well as being quick and easy to put on, adjustable and secure-fitting, they should be machine washable as they’re likely to get pretty dirty with a single use.
An incorporated bag means that the whole tail is covered and kept clean, so if you’re off to a show these are a particularly handy. Many of the bags are also detachable, which gives you the option of using the tail guard without the bag if you prefer.
Sizes: One size | Colours: Black, brown or navy | RRP: £29.95 | H&H Rating: 9/10, H&H Approved |
This tail guard has elasticated fastenings to get the most secure grip and can be used with or without the detachable waterproof bag.
We found that the slightly shorter tail bag kept the horse’s tails up and out of the way of their legs, which was great if they were particularly messy while travelling.
Sizes: One size | Colours: Black or navy | RRP: £22 | H&H Rating: 8/10 |
This tail guard has an elasticated fastening around the tail as well as an addition touch-tape loop that allows you to attach the tail guard to compatible Bucas cooler rugs.
We found it offered good protection and had a lovely fleecy lining, but would have preferred the guard at the top to have been longer.
Shires Arma - Tail Protection - Tester - Harriet Rimmer
(Image credit: Andrew Sydenham/Horse and Hound)
Shires Arma tail guard with detachable tail bag
Sizes: One size | Colours: Black | RRP: £17.99 | H&H Rating: 8/10 |
This tail guard has a detachable pull-through tail bag that helps keep the tail tidy and clean. It also features a rubberised inner lining and touch close fastenings to help keep it in place.
We found it fitted very well and was a great length and shape. It offered good protection, but perhaps didn’t have as much padding as others tested.
Sizes: One size | Colours: Black or navy | RRP: £19.99 | H&H Rating: 7/10 |
This tail guard is ergonomically designed and made from thick neoprene that is also laminated with plush fabric.
We found it fitted very well and the straps were a really good length, meaning there were no restrictions to adjusting the fit. It was also long enough to cover and protect the whole tail bone properly.
Sizes: One size | Colours: Black | RRP: £18.95 | H&H Rating: 7/10 |
The main part of this tail guard is made from 5.5mm thick neoprene with a fleece lining, while the unlined neoprene section at the bottom ensure the tail guard doesn’t slip.
We liked the length of the tail guard as it covered the tail bone from top to bottom — it offered great protection at the top of the tail and it laid flat with minimal interference.
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Georgia is Horse & Hound’s deputy website editor and equestrian products expert. She curates content across the website with a particular focus on upcoming equestrian events horse care and buying advice. She also manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices via our buying guides. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.
