I do what maya and Lord Helpus do, dampen tail head, put in product and wrap. Pull wrap right before test. Makes the top of the tail lay very flat and neat, no need to pull or braid!
Those of you that are using product in the tail and then wrapping: what product? Gel? Hair Spray? Old McDonald’s Horse Tail Tamer? 
I used water followed by some Canter mane and tail spray followed by a little hairspray. For a really unruly tail, gel might work better.
The horse I ride has an annoyingly long mane so I will french braid it and leave it braided for XC. Stays in while I romp around.
