Another thing to check is whether or not the actual hair prop is 'wild' or not. Sometimes the construction is such that the tail grows out of a geometry prop, and the prop has the X,Y, & Z rotation and translation controls. In that case you can just rotate the tail itself until it sticks out sideways, then run the sim. Wait until you see what funky effects you get when you start playing with the funny little dials in the hair room.... O:)