[Originally posted in the Eventing forum.]
How is it that Robby got the front end and literally left me with the horse’s ass?!
Anyways, at his request, here are my thoughts on tails. Basically, I like to see them either pulled or braided at shows – and I’d really rather see pulled, because unless you are going to go European and braid for all three phases, the unpulled tail will make an appearance at some point during the event!
You do have choices, though. For those horses who won’t tolerate pulling (or owners who can’t bring themselves to torture their beasts), you can clip the tail – be sure not to do it with a surgical blade! – or use scissors, which I actually think turns out nicer, because it is easier to find the right line with scissors than clippers.
If you are going to go the old fashioned way and pull, though, I first suggest that you find a wooden stall door to provide a barrier. Have someone hold your horse with his/her butt against the closed door, and put the tail over the top. You can pull from outside the door, safe from hooves. If such an arangement isn’t available, you can use breeding stocks (may be even harder to find!) or just plain cautiousness. Stand to the side!
Before pulling, wash the tail! Get it really clean (I use Listerine in the rinse if the horse has been rubbing his tail – it gets out all the itchies) and use warm water to open the pores so that the hairs come out a bit easier. Let the tail dry a bit and comb it out, but don’t spray on Showsheen, because you won’t be able to get a grip on the hairs.
Your goal isn’t to make the horse bald behind. You want to pull hairs from the side of the dock from the base of the tail to the tip of the buttocks. It’s usually a distance of 6-8 inches long, and you are pulling only on the sides!! The tail should lay neatly between the horse’s hindquarters when you are finished. Start pulling from the top, taking just a few hairs at a time. I pull a few from one side, then a few from the other. Helps to keep things even and to give the horse a breather. You can use pliers to pull, but I really prefer my fingers. If you do use pliers, make sure that you still only pull a few hairs at once. It HURTS otherwise (come on, I know you’ve done your brows…). Pliers are convenient for tidying up or for pulling tails that have previously been clipped.
I would much rather pull a few hairs every day, starting in the off season, than attack a whole tail at once. Easier on horse and groom. Also, though I’m a turnout freak, I really don’t mind the look of a neatly clipped or scissored tail. You’ll notice that a lot of the top three-day riders’ horses are done that way, because it’s much easier to do and maintain. If you use scissors, use SHARP ones, and make sure to trim the stubble level, about a quarter of an inch long. When it gets longer than a half-inch, time to trim again.
Also, bang the tail below the horse’s hocks. Have someone hold the tail the way the horse naturally carries it, then run his/her hands down to the bottom, palms together, pointing forward. This holds the hairs together. At the point just above where the tail begins to get thin and stringy, cut a straight, parallel to the ground line. Don’t cut or pull too much – you can always go back and touch up, but gluing it back on doesn’t work well!
Regardless of how you tame the tail, use a tail wrap immediately after, and then as a part of your grooming routine at shows. Regular Ace bandages make the best tail wraps – start at the top, and wrap to the bottom of the dock. Be very careful about wetting the wrap – it will constrict as it drys and can become too tight. Instead, brush the TAIL with a wet brush to get everything laying right, then wrap with a dry wrap. Don’t leave it on for more time than a good grooming and warm-up ride, never overnight.
I’m open to other suggestions – what are your tricks? --Jess
[This message was edited by JAGold on Jul. 02, 2002 at 01:06 PM.]
[This message was edited by Erin on Oct. 10, 2002 at 02:29 PM.]
I don’t think I will.
