Think of how fat and sleek that tail will get since you aren’t breaking all the tiny top hairs by braiding!
[QUOTE=Duckz;8126589]
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.[/QUOTE]
In Hunter Mom’s defense, the “it’s inappropriate to have a braided mane and an unbraided tail” thing is, well, a thing. It’s a largely outdated thing, granted, but I’ve seen it on this board as well as heard it “out in the real world,” albeit mostly by people who are throwing shade at the current state of the hunter world. “Kids these days have no respect for tradition!” 
I would braid her tail every day for a few hours. Maresy will eventually get over it!
I do the AA’s and don’t usually braid the tail. I will put in his fake tail, but that’s it. I will sometimes braid the tail if it’s a huge show or something like that. It’s never affected my placing either way.
Nice timely thread here! What about hunter breeding classes (3 yo)? To braid the tail or not?
ETA: Will he be very out of place if its not braided? I can imagine that he’ll be a stinker with his tail braided, and I’d rather him be happy and comfortable than uncomfortable (and me too by association!!)
I’ve got a horse that doesn’t mind having his tail briaded, but I also am mindful of not breaking the bank and going overboard. These are the guidelines we follow:
- Always braid manes for the rated divisions or those that pay prize money (ie. TB division in some cases).
- Tails are done for larger classic (over $500) and derbies (ie. will braid for Devocoux at Culpeper, but not the AO classic).
- We also braid every day during bigger shows (Upperville).
- Tails should be done if any of the classes include confirmation (ponies and confirmation hunters).
It’s confOrmation!!!
InCircles, you absolutely must braid your hunter breeding entry’s tail.
I could never braid my mare’s tail as it grows weird at the top. Stays really short and was impossible to disguise it. It never seemed to make a difference.
Thanks for all the great input - I feel more confident now about my decision not the braid her tail. Mane, definitely! She has a cute figure, anyway :).
[QUOTE=InCircles;8126903]
Nice timely thread here! What about hunter breeding classes (3 yo)? To braid the tail or not?
ETA: Will he be very out of place if its not braided? I can imagine that he’ll be a stinker with his tail braided, and I’d rather him be happy and comfortable than uncomfortable (and me too by association!!)[/QUOTE]
Hunter breeding is judged on conformation, so yes, the tail needs to be braided. You will look out of place if not braided.
[QUOTE=SidesaddleRider;8128317]
Hunter breeding is judged on conformation, so yes, the tail needs to be braided. You will look out of place if not braided.[/QUOTE]
I was told that tail braiding was a sign that you jumped three or higher. Now everyone braids tails, ponies, short stirrup, so much for tradition. Of course, if your horse wears a flake tail in the show ring, you must braid.
[QUOTE=french fry;8126678]
In Hunter Mom’s defense, the “it’s inappropriate to have a braided mane and an unbraided tail” thing is, well, a thing. It’s a largely outdated thing, granted, but I’ve seen it on this board as well as heard it “out in the real world,” albeit mostly by people who are throwing shade at the current state of the hunter world. “Kids these days have no respect for tradition!” [/QUOTE]
In my experience, people are braiding more tails now than they ever did.
In the eons past when I showed (never A, though, we were never that advanced and back then you had more other options) we’d always do Benny’s mane but rarely his tail as he had teeny short hair at the top, and HATED having it done and was fussy about standing for it. Usually was not worth the fight.
[QUOTE=FAW;8128399]
Of course, if your horse wears a flake tail in the show ring, you must braid.[/QUOTE]
Plenty of people tie in a fake tail without braiding it.
[QUOTE=FAW;8128399]
I was told that tail braiding was a sign that you jumped three or higher. Now everyone braids tails, ponies, short stirrup, so much for tradition. Of course, if your horse wears a flake tail in the show ring, you must braid.[/QUOTE]
Lots of fakes without a braid.
