Eh I’d just give them tasks that will be harder with the nails and stand back and laugh. Otherwise, I’d leave them be.
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Ha, guess I use my fingertips so idk what to tell ya. Are you breaking nails, or just the polish gets chipped? If I use regular nail polish it starts rubbing off of the tips after like five days. I use gel polish mostly.
IMG_1993
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You’re a doll for videoing that! Love your nail color!
I’m breaking the whole nail off; on my right pointer finger usually.
My billets are shorter than yours and I think my girth is a too short as well. Maybe I need new tack and a fresh manicure.
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Those with long nails manage their daily living skills with their nails every day. I honestly don’t know how women with long nails do it but it’s not my concern. I can’t think of any “safety” concerns other than there is always a chance a nail can get ripped off which can happen to any one at any time no matter what the nail length is.
Now you could offer the CDC’s healthcare workers nail guidelines which is no longer than 1/4", and the germs/bacteria that is harbored under the nail.
Unless you’re also paying for their weekly/bi-weekly manicures I wouldn’t worry about it. The only time it should be of concern is if they’re focusing on their nails more than they area say the jump in front of them.
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This is really interesting, is this true of natural and artificial nails? Something I’ve noticed in the almost-five-years I’ve owned my farm is, if I have my natural nails, they are DISGUSTING at the end of the day, even washing my hands multiple times per day, and are even hard to clean with a good scrubbing in the shower. But my acrylic nails do not hold any (visible) dirt at all.
Probably this is it, you’re probably having to try too hard to get the girth up? Maybe get a smidge longer girth? And thank you! 
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Tell them that when I rode the junior jumpers I had multiple “accidents” where my fake nails “popped off” below the line and caused extreme pain and bleeding and trauma. Enough said? (Most involving releases gone awry!)
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I can’t speak for CDC but for food manufacturing (FDA and USDA) nails had to be kept short (no more than 1/4 inch past the tip, and could not be painted or be artificial (acrylic, gels, press on, etc). It is actually easier to keep under your finger nails clean AND to be able to visually inspect them (both for the owner of the nails and the employer. I promise I never demanded to see someone’s hands like a grumpy teacher from the turn of the century but a quick glance was generally all I needed).
Also as said above, artificial nails can pop off and nail polish can chip. Imagine how grossed out you would be opening up a bag of chips to find an unwanted addition.
As for doing sports with long nails, more power to you all! It isn’t my jam but I get the desire to have pretty nails.
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Eh, I have always had long, durable nails. I don’t do manicures or fake nails, but if I am feeling fancy I will throw on a coat of clear polish. Daring, I know!
I have never found my nails to be a “safety” issue around horses. Granted my nails have always been long, always been durable, and always grown fast. But I know how to “handle” (?, I guess thats the best way to put it) them. Once in a while, one will break while pulling a mane or dumping feed bags. But they also break once in a while washing the truck or vacuuming…so thats just life.
My Ponysaurus loves my long nails when scratching the bug bites on his midline, his itchy spot on his withers or his ears after I forgot his fly mask.
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I quit riding for about a year and during that time I had all this extra money and spent more time going out doing social activities, so I did my nails a lot more. Now that I’m back into horse life I really miss having glamour girl nails!!! I’ve been thinking about trying the press-ons because they’re 1) cheaper than going to a salon and 2) I can just like wear them for a weekend and then remove them??
One thing that really sucks with acrylic nails that I’ve NEVER been able to figure out is taking out my contacts… I can put them in just fine but taking them out involves a lot of poking myself in the eyeball. I know people do it I just have no idea how!!!
I keep my thumbnails a lot shorter than the rest of my nails, which are about 5/8" past my fingertips, because texting is easier. When I start making a lot of typos, that’s my sign to grab the nail file and get to work.
Honestly, the only time I have trouble with long nails is if I drop something on a smooth floor surface, like change or a credit/debit card. If all I’ve dropped is a couple of useless pennies, I don’t bother with the struggle. But with the cards, well, I’ve amused a few strangers here and there. (Pro-tip: lick finger, then use that to lift card to where you can grab it. Serious eewww factor, I know, but there aren’t a lot of options.)
Edit: the only other time my long nails are a problem is when someone hands me something like a package and says, “here, you have nails, you open this.” I either grab a sharp implement for assistance or just hand it back, while saying cheerfully, “yep, and I have nails because I don’t use them as tools.”
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I’ve had acrylics for yeearrrrsss and I just use the sides of my finger and thumb to take out my contacts.
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Assign them typical chores expected of these people. Are they students? Workers?
Horses are a metaphor for life…you don’t tell people what to do…you give them choices.
So, these people are expected to do x,y,z?..Can they do it? Ok…cool.
They can’t do it? You’re out of here. Want to be here? Figure it out.
Choices. Your choice.
