Braided Tails in the Pasture??

For some reason lately, I am seeing braided horse tails while the horse is loose in the pasture. I understand that a show horse cooped up in stall can have a braided tail, I don't understand out in the pasture though.

I'm talking about down below the end of the vertabrae where the tail hair hangs freely, not the english show horse braids and pinwheel. You're supposed to take those out every night anyway...

I can understand while riding in the arena but not in brushy territory, braiding the tail to keep it nice. But don't people understand that horses will screw things up and catch their braided tail on the least little thing and can either rip all or part of their tail out. Not to mention the kerfuffle of the horse getting excited about his tail being caught and not letting go.

Even if they only rip a bit out, it still will probably ruin the tail. If he catches enough of it, the tail hair might not let go. Horse tail hair is pretty strong, I mean it's used for violin bows after all (I think it's the Icelandic Horses who get to 'donate' to that project). It can be braided for ropes and even jewelry!

So, think about that strength when braiding a pasture horse's tail! Yikes!!