Tails

[MountainWoman]

I see so many beautiful pictures of minis with their gorgeous tails dragging behind them. I've always trimmed my horses' tails so they don't drag and I was wondering how people take care of those long tails? Tail bags? Do you need to worry about horses tripping on them? They are beautiful to see but not sure how it would work in actuality for horses running around all day.

 

[chandab]

Those that show usually do keep those long tails up in tail bags. I don't show, so usually keep them trimmed to fetlock length, if the horse has a really long tail. Right now my stallion's tail drags the ground, and he's not stepped on it that I know of; I do need to trim it, just haven't gotten it done (perhaps I'll remember at his next hoof trim).

 

[MountainWoman]

Thanks. I always worry about tripping and in the winter ice balls collecting so I keep mine trimmed but I'm envious when I see those gorgeous tail photos. Thanks for your help!!

 

[targetsmom]

We keep some of our mare's tails in bags to keep them clean but not to grow them super long. Mares with white tails get bags, those with black tails don't. Seems to be no in between here! We do trim a couple of inches off everyone's tail about every 6-8 weeks but we are not organized enough to do it during farrier visits which would make sense. Our show horses also do performance events and we can't have them backing onto - or knocking jumps over - with long tails. Wrapping a long tail for hunter or jumper may be allowed, but some jumps can still get knocked over - have seen it happen. So we trim to about fetlock length.

The show horses with the long tails are probably wearing tail bags and I doubt they run around all day.

 

[MountainWoman]

Thanks TargetsMom!

 

[chandab]

I trimmed Topper's hooves today, and brought his tail up to his fetlocks (maybe a little higher, depending on how he's carrying it), so I cut like 6-8" off the length (what I cut off was all covered in mud and dirt from our downpour the other day).

 

[FurstPlaceMiniatures]

I trim mine above the ground year round, then bang it straight across the tops of his back hooves on show day. Always thought having a thick tail looked nicer than a super long wispy one.

 

[MountainWoman]

Good to see I'm not the only one trimming tails although I do get tail envy when I look at some of the photos. Just not practical for me and I can see the minis ripping tail bags off of each other.

 

[Riverrose28]

My show horses get their tails trimmed to avoid a step on, but I do have two stallions that were only shown as juniors and one has a tail that drags at least 12 inches on the ground, he never steps on it, although it has collected bits of hay, mud or snow balls. I go through gallons of show sheen as his mane also goes way down below his knees. One other stallion also has a tail they drags just not as long, he also does step on it. I once was at a rated show where the horse stepped on their draggin tail and pulled it out, shame.

 

[miniaturehorselover]

I tie up my minis tail do a braid then a bun in it that way if i want i can have it long or short

she never stepped on it besides when she rears up or go sideways

 

[MountainWoman]

MiniatureHorseLover, braiding is a good idea. RiverRose, WOW!! Mane too? Now I have mane envy.

 

[miniaturehorselover]

i have no choice but to braid every month i cut 2 inches off and it keeps growing! So i put it in a braid and tie up the braid

 

[targetsmom]

Hint for those who want the long tails cheaply: I clean and braid the tail, then fold it back on itself to make it shorter. Then I put it in an old knee sock that has had the top cut down in 4 places about 3 inches to make 4 ties. Then I tie them into the top of the braid being very careful not to cut off the circulation in the tail itself (the bone).

 

[FurstPlaceMiniatures]

I use shapleys MTG to get my guys thicker. I only brush it on show day too to keep it from breaking. However I snip it frequently. Maybe its the QH influence coming out, but I love a fake looking real tail LOL

 

[supaspot]

my friend used to leave her minis tail long and dragging the ground until one day she accidently stepped on it and the horse was startled , it ripped the tail of halfway down his tail bone . she still lets tails grow long but keeps them bagged now

 

[MountainWoman]

So many good ideas! Thanks everyone.

 

[BiologyBrain]

The minis I deal with all have drag the ground tails. Although they do get dirty and stepped on, I've not noticed any problems. I "banged" Sundance's tail this winter, but it's already dragging again. He also has a mane that's pretty long. These 4 guys are on 24/7 turn out with a Belgian. They also all (even the Belgian) have *really* thick manes as well as tails. The Belgian has enough mane that its enough for him to have a thick mane on either side of his neck! When I do a running French braid down his, I have to do one on either side. SunDance's longest bit of mane is probably at least a foot long when braided. Poor Kody got his mane roached since he's having skin issues.