Not Braiding Tail in Hunters?

[wonderland9]

What’s the general consensus on not braiding a hunter’s tail at the A-AA level? Point deductions possible?

I ask because my young hunter mare absolutely hates her tail being braided. She goes around the ring kicking at it, nonstop. We’ve tried “faking” a braided tail at home with a tail wrap, etc. to no avail. So, I’m planning to go without it at the big hunter shows this summer. It didn’t seem to cost us any points at a few smaller rated shows this spring, but what are people’s thoughts?

Even better, any ideas to get her accustomed to the braid?

[Kat]

its fine, I’ve seen A/O’s do it and I’ve done it on occasion in the juniors and big eq. I also know a few big eq horses that have done finals without a braided tail (most notably vocas)

[tua37516]

Haha my junior hunter lost his mind when his tail was braided and almost threw himself on the ground at HITS Culpeper. Finally took his tail out and he was magically fine. He just hated it!

[roamingnome]

Does she have a nicer hind end? If so, maybe a mud knot?

Otherwise, I’d leave it unbraided. I would believe you’d get higher marks for a nice round with an un-fussy horse whose tail is unbraided compared to a fussy horse with a braided tail.

[Hunter_JumperMom]

My thought is if your not braiding the tail, do not do the mane. All or nothing.

[Kat]

[QUOTE=Hunter/JumperMom;8125781]
My thought is if your not braiding the tail, do not do the mane. All or nothing.[/QUOTE]

strong disagree, for C rated divisions (childrens/adults) I usually only do the mane
for A rated divisions I usually do the mane and tail barring rain, trainer choice, horse issue etc.

it is inappropriate for a horse to walk into a rated hunter division without a braided mane, but its not a big deal to not have a tail done

[inca]

[QUOTE=Hunter/JumperMom;8125781]
My thought is if your not braiding the tail, do not do the mane. All or nothing.[/QUOTE]

I COMPLETELY disagree with this. You don’t dare walk into a class at a A/AA show unbraided unless you are doing an unrated division. It is fine to braid the mane and not the tail.

[Night_Flight]

Unless you’re showing in a classic, you’ll be fine without the braided tail. Make sure to braid the mane and put all that you can into the rest of your turnout, and you won’t stand out negatively.

[CHT]

I would try to tame the tail as much as possible so the hairs lay flat against the tail bone. Use water/gel…even some careful trimming to make the top of the tail look tidy.

But I agree, don’t braid the tail, and don’t sweat it.

[supershorty628]

[QUOTE=Hunter/JumperMom;8125781]
My thought is if your not braiding the tail, do not do the mane. All or nothing.[/QUOTE]

Are you punking the OP? You must be.

OP, just braid the mane if your horse absolutely hates having the tail braided.

[Soaponarope]

I think it will be fine. The first year DD showed in the AO hunters they did not braid because he was fussy. We did use the fake tail. After a year of doing the fake tail he accepted having his tail braided. Don’t know why but you could try it with yours.

However, I wouldn’t worry about not doing tail unless you are at Devon or somewhere.

[Hunter_JumperMom]

Wow, seriously I was always told it’s Like being half dressed!! I was serious. All or nothing! Guess I was led down the wrong path, wouldn’t have been the first time!! But DD never went above the children’s hunters, but in the Eq/big eq always did all or nothing. Honestly I’m pretty sure it was a braider hat told me that

[mjs8]

I think as long as it’s neat and tidy, it’s okay if the tail isn’t braided. However, if you have time before your season starts, why not try to desensitize her to the braiding at home? I saw that you wrapped it etc to try faking a braided tail, but what about braiding her in the morning before she goes out grazing or to turnout, or before every ride. Some consistency and repetition might not be a bad thing, worth a try at least.

[GoodTimes]

Definitely braid her mane! Her tail isn’t so important. Over multi day shows I typically only braid the tails the days of the u/s and if I’m doing a classic or derby. It can be hard on the hairs so I’d prefer to save as many as I can.
An unbraided tail is not something I would worry about. Many people don’t braid tails on certain horses on purpose, ie wringing the tail, holding it crooked, etc.

[wishfulthinking711]

I have been doing the local A shows around here and even at the larger ones most horses have just the mane braided. Even for Derby’s/Classics. Some horses have mane and tail. My horse’s tail needed to grow out which is the only reason hers has not been braided but at upcoming AA shows the mane and tail will be braided. Unbraided tail has not affected our placings one but but PLEASE do the mane!

[copper1]

My horse has a very brittle tail at the top so I only braid his tail for the big shows, mane gets done at every show. Most horses eventually get used to braided tails, especially if you make it routine. When I showed hunters in England, tail were never braided but pulled at the top like we see in the dressage and eventing rings. Not traditional for our hunters but does look neat and tidy and an option if your horse is totally anti braids!

[MHM]

You will certainly get a higher score with a good round and an unbraided tail than with a bad round and a braided tail. So if the horse will go better with an unbraided tail, stick with that plan.

[sarcam02]

Agree with most posters here - Mane yes- tail not needed if it is an issue for your horse

[Duckz]

[QUOTE=Hunter/JumperMom;8126095]
Wow, seriously I was always told it’s Like being half dressed!! I was serious. All or nothing! Guess I was led down the wrong path, wouldn’t have been the first time!! But DD never went above the children’s hunters, but in the Eq/big eq always did all or nothing. Honestly I’m pretty sure it was a braider hat told me that[/QUOTE]

It’s the opposite…you shouldn’t braid the tail and leave the mane unbraided. But totally fine to have a braided main and unbraided tail.

[hunterrider23]

We always braid mane, even for unrated divisions, but sometimes don’t braid the tail. For horses in the unrated (prechildren’s, baby greens, etc) or C rated, we’ll not braid the tail unless the horse has to have a fake and then it’s because our braider won’t tie in a tail without a fake for fear of it being pulled out.