Horse Tail Hair Theft In Rural Wausa; First Report In County

Owners may be on the lookout to protect their horses. 

The Knox County Sheriff's Office investigated a horse tail theft from rural Wausa. On the evening of Thursday, March 24, Chantille Schmit reported that someone had cut a large portion of hair from her horse’s tail. 

"I had the tail braided and it looked like someone cut off portions of the braid," Schmit said. 

According to the sheriff's office, the investigation confirmed the tail had been cut straight off with a knife or other sharp instrument. 

Sheriff Don Henery said this is the first report of a theft of this nature in Knox County. 

Horse owner Chantille Schmit, an equine science major at NCTA, said this incident has decreased the value of the horse by $500. 

"When you go to sell a horse, two of the first things people look at are the tail and mane.  So something like this automatically decreases the value of any horse," Schmit said.

Not only does this theft significantly decrease the value of a horse right away, but regrowth is a slow process. Schmit said she was trying to regrow his main since August, and within seven months, it has grown an inch and a half.

"It will probably take a year and a half or so just to grow the top (of the tail) back out. The bottom half might take about two years," Schmit said.

Schmit said horses use their tails mostly to protect against flies, but also to stay comfortable.

Horse hair can including jewelry, and stringed instruments and hair extensions for others horses.

No suspects have been determined at this time.  If anyone has a similar incident or information that may solve the case, please call the Knox County Sheriff’s Office at (402) 288-4261.

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