STORM LAKE, Iowa — Some horse thieves are at work in Buena Vista County — but they’re only after the tail.

The sheriff’s office says three people reported chopped tails just in the past week. Maj. Doug Simons says each case appears similar — someone went onto the property and cut off the long portion of the tail. In some cases, it’s close to 3 feet.

Missing tails have been reported near Sioux Rapids and in the Storm Lake area.

Simons says the horse tails could be used for belts and for hair extensions, which are used in the show horse business.