I wash and thoroughly dry tails before putting them up, I also like to spray the wet tail with show sheen, then brush when dry. I find that by doing it that way, I can brush out the tail with a soft body brush and minimize breakage. I used to braid the tail and protect it using fancy tail bags, then I switched to tube socks because they worked the same, but were cheaper, then I switched to vet wrap because it was easier and I felt it stayed on better, then I learned the hard way to just tape up the tail into a bun, when my horse's tail fell off because he was allergic to vetwrap. I just braid the hair starting at the end of the dock, I gently comb out a few tufts of hair of varying lengths to hang outside the braid, one to minimize breakage and relieve itching from the braid and also to create a cascading fountain tail once the braid and tape are removed. If you do not let a few tufts or lengths hang out, then the tail will look thin and long in the middle when down. A bit of breakage is un avoidable when braiding, leaving hair out minimizes this and creates a nicer looking tail. I then fold up the braid into an oval bun and tape it up with electrical tape, never duct tape. Some people do not braid tails, claiming it causes breakage, I personally feel that every horse is different. A few of mine step on their tails and pee/poo in their long tails, so braiding is necessary, some of mine do not get taped up, just left braided, others rub or catch braided tails, so I leave them alone. Anything placed over the tail (ie: sock, bag, tape etc.) will need to be changed every few weeks as it will collect dirt and dander, not changing it all winter will result in a lot of knots and breakage, I know because a few of my clients braid up tails, then never maintain them and the tails look awful. I always leave manes alone, as no matter what I try, braids, hoods, sleazies, tamers etc. They all result in breakage and mohawks along the crest. I do braid forelocks to keep them clean and out of eyes, I just re braid once a week.