HELP, Mane Munchers

I really don't know what to do but I'll admit I smiled at your post.  You could write a story about your horses!

If it is a persistent thing (actual eating of the mane and tail, not just pulling hair out while grooming), talk to a vet about pica, which is a medical disorder where humans and animals eat non nutritional items (like ***, hair, clay, rocks, wood, dirt, etc) as food. It is done as a way to make up for nutritional deficiencies in the diet.

A quick yahoo search yields answers such as using show sheen or ivory soap as a deterrent and to avoid caustics that would burn sensitive flesh (like tobasco sauce or strong repellents). Although just as many do suggest using cayenne pepper and tabasco sauce as a deterrent. So up for grabs there.

There is the thought that it can turn into a vice or bad habit due to boredom.

I haven't really run across anything on treatment for it in animals, other than the general address psychological issues before administering medicinal treatment. Any environmental or physical stresses may cause it.

I just read that pica was studied in rats. They will eat non digestive items as a way to ease indigestion because they cannot vomit. Might be something to look into with your horses as well as they cannot vomit either.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_psychopathology This link addresses pica in animals. It is an interesting read, and informative for how little information there is out there about it.

:nerd out:

Sometimes horses will chew on manes and tails due to a lack of hay/grass or lack of minerals.  Adding a mineral salt block and ensuring there is plenty of roughage may stop his habit.  You are correct in being worried as hair can cause intestinal blockages.  But for most foals it is just a way to relieve boredom or an act of playfulness.  If that looks like the case, adding horse-safe toys to the area he is in may help direct his attention elsewhere until he forgets his tail munching habit.

buy him a little donkey!  []  or a goat!  That'll keep the tyke busy! []

HAH, I'll buy him a sheep, plenty of hair there to keep the little bugger satisfied! I really could, they so sooo naughty, well, full of character let just say! =] I don't think it is pica, more likely a habit out of playfulness, but it certainly has devastated their manes and tails! Tobasco may work, or a friend suggested Tee Tree Oil, as it tastes horrific! I don't Know, I'll try all suggestions! Thank you all! 

BRILLIANT!  A sheep's your answer!!
You can put different things up the mane (charting carefully) and, when one spot is less chewed than other you know that's what to use!  []  And you'll have to let us know!
Sort of a scientific experiment.  wonder if they do grants for that sort of thing?

my next door neighbour keeps Jacobs Sheep so I may be borrowing one, well, it'll get a free shear to say the least! I think I'll try different potions on the two different horses and perhaps the unfortunate sheep too. I will document my experiments so the next unfortunate horse owner with the same problem knows what to do! 

sometimes my horses do that but its because they have food in there mane or tail and eat it. maybe thats the problem but maybe not 

I was going to suggest Tea Tree Oil but somebody already did!  It is actually good for the skin but smells like gasoline or something.  Maybe get him a Lick-it or something to keep him busy too.

Unfortunately I had to resort to Red Diesel, stinky, unpleasant, but effective.