I just realized that my (new-ish) shadbelly has little zipper pockets in the tails, which I assume are for weights. But they are empty. Does anyone know what I’m supposed to put in there, and where I can get it? I’ve searched and searched, but google has failed me, and I just can’t find anything about how much weight to put in dressage coat tails, or what form of weights, much less anyone selling such a thing. I’m at a loss!
Mine are roughly the size and weight of 2-3 quarters stuck together–no idea what’s actually in there as they’re sewn in. Maybe a washer or a circular magnet of that general size?
What you are looking for are called drapery weights or curtain weights. You can buy any fabric store --Joann’s or Michael’s. Of course you can buy on-line. There are some DYI videos on making your own. I ran across this item when I made my own Shadbelly a couple of years ago as I could not find one that was long enough in the torso --hence gave me the dreaded Oreo Cookie look with my shirt blousing out under my vest points. I made a perfect one for ME --but they are labor intensive even for someone like me who sews a lot --I believe there was SIX HOURS of hand sewing, after the machine part. I’d make another one, though if I needed two --a challenge but turned out well. OH, I made vest points in the traditional color and a second set in my hunt club’s colors for wearing after the formal hunts. Few notice, but I think it’s a fun touch!
There was some chat on a sewing board that one should not weigh the tails of a Shad used for o/f or the tails might fly up and hit the rider in the face —nonsense. I ride o/f and I put LOTS of weight in the tails of my coat to keep a smooth look. Never yet had one fly up any place. I also made my tails 4 inches longer than the pattern because I’m about 4" taller than the average rider --and again, I thought long tails looked cool–since I don’t show, and only fox hunt, there’s no absolute standard of how long tails can or can’t be.
4 Likes
Thank you! I see Amazon has the same ones as Joann’s. These weigh about half an ounce each, which doesn’t seem like very much. Is that really enough? Though the other commenter said hers were the weight of 2-3 quarters, which is just about half an ounce, so maybe it is…
That is very helpful, thank you. There are lots of shads for sale out there with adjustable and removable tail weights, but none of them has any information about how much weight they’re talking about! 1 ounce? 6 ounces? I can’t believe how difficult it is to find this information!
I added extra to mine because it was flying all over the place. I’d guess they’re between 1.5 and 2 ounces on each side now.
As to how much weight to add —I doubled mine --so instead of two oz, I have 4 oz in the tail. But my Shad is made of a rather light weight material as the Blessing of the Hounds (only time I wear it) is generally warmish --being the first weekend in October. Further, I did not use wool --instead opted for the high tech fabric modern dressage coats are made of. For that reason, I thought my tails might do a bit more flying around than the stiffer, heavier wool. If I were you, I’d put in the minimum, stand in front of a mirror and do some dancing --twirling, jumping (without your horse), flipping around --see how much motion your tails have. Try adding more. The absolute limit would be, I think, “when you feel it” --in other words there is a distinct “Wow, those tails are heavy” sensation in your shoulders --or the garment begins to become misshapen —don’t know if that would happen with yours --but it would with mine --as I said, my Shad has a bit of stretch to it.
Finally, you might also take a look and feel of a Shad you like at a store (if that is possible these days), or look at one owned by a friend or competitor at a show. My daughter had a Shad I used to borrow for High Hunting Days —I used that as my guide --I would still be wearing it if she wasn’t 5’2" and I am almost 6’ – it was never a good fit, but better than not having one. Now I have my own.
I don’t honestly think there’s a right answer to how much weight to add to the tails —what feels right and does not change the shape of your garment would be correct. You certainly don’t want the “look” to be of , “Wow, she sure has a lot of weight in those tails!” —the tails are not supposed to be absolutely still (look at pix of riders at a canter, there is some movement in the tails) --but rather encourage the fabric to return to “straight” when the movement stops --just like curtains.
I went and compared and mine are heavier than the 2-3 quarters I mentioned, but about the same size and shape. Also FWIW, my coat is tech material but is custom and has heavier material (matches collar and points) along a swatch on the inside of each tail.
Fabric stores have drapery weights,
some people use fishing weights too.
