To Bang or Not to Bang?

[MiniHunterHorseFan]

My horse has a beautiful long tail that drags a couple of inches on the ground. I've noticed a lot of horses with beautiful tails though that were banged. It looks very neat and the tails looked nice and thick. Should I cut the end of my horse's tail straight and bang it? I can't decide.

 

[disneyhorse]

I don't like tails that drag on the ground in any circumstance. I like them banged right at the fetlock.

Andrea

 

[mininik]

If you don't like the blunt look of a banged tail, you can also take the tail ends, twirl them around and use thinning shears to form a more natural looking, shorter tail.

 

[ruffian]

I agree = I don't like the banged look either. I knew one lady who had a gorgeous stallion who'se tail dragged on the tail about 20". She spent 15 minutes combing out out and within 2 steps of going into the ring, it was full of junk. Placed last in her class (Model).

I suggested she cut the tail - before her next class we shaped it short, and she not only won her class, but also won Supreme Champion, and went on to win AMHA Top Ten.

So you're right to want to cut it, but I like a nice shaped one

 

[Cathy_H]

cut up into the tail instead of straight across - this gives a more natural look........... If too long cut straight across first ( leaving a bit more length) then cut up into the tail to finish. I do this to my horses tails before every winter sets in.

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

It is for sure a personal preference I prefer a nice straigh bang look to tails

 

[LowriseMinis]

I think some of it depends on the horse, too. My gelding has that thick shaggy pony hair going on, I just banged his tail the other night and he looks very stylish. My mare has a slightly thinner tail though, and I can't imagine it looking nearly as good banged..I intend to take some thinning shears to it before we start getting any mud in fall-it almost drags the ground now.

 

[susanne]

For me, it depends upon the length.

If the tail is very long -- fetlock length -- then a bang looks great, as the tail swings beautifully.

Any shorter, however, and a bang looks silly to me. Then the tail should have a more natural shape.

 

[MiniHunterHorseFan]

Well everyone I did it. I banged his tail straight across. It is still quite long and looks quite nice.

 

[Marty]

Without a doubt, I'm a total banger.........

:

 

[REO]

I love a full, thick tail that's banged.

 

[Becky]

I guess I live in another world since I hadn't heard the term 'banged', but I don't like the look of chopped off straight tails, manes or forelocks! It looks so artificial! I always keep my show horses tails shortened to just above the ground, but I use a thinning tool and make it look natural.

 

[REO]

I agree with Becky about show horses tails.

I don't like chopped off forelocks or manes either!

But my brood mares at home I can enjoy the straight cut style tail, but very few have tails thick enough to carry it off LOL! Most taper down on their own and I just keep them from dragging.

I'm not sure why I've always liked the look of banged style, I just do.

:

 

[ForMyACDs]

I prefer banged tails.......of course, coming from a dressage background I'm not all that surprised.

:

I keep my tails up and wrapped (with fly swishers in them during the summers). That way, when I have an event to attend I can bang the tail and it's nice and thick all the way down.

 

[Wee Mite Miniatures]

To me a tail cut straight across is a fast way to shorten a tail. It always make me think some one did not care enough to take the time to do it right.

 

[MiniHGal]

Coming from big horses...mostly english/dressage/eventing/PC from my mom, I LOVE the banged tail look! It looks neat and professional, and when connected with a nicely braided mane, says time and care to me. BUT not all horses look good with this cut, especially some minis.

So, I was wondering how you guys make it look natural, especially if it is a very thick tail. Can you do it with scissors only or a pulling comb or another kind of tool (thinning shears?)?

Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Sue_C.]

I think some of it depends on the horse, too.

A-HA! Lowriseminis, you beat me to it. as I was reading the posts...this is exactly what I was thinking.

:

To me a tail cut straight across is a fast way to shorten a tail. It always make me think some one did not care enough to take the time to do it right.

Funny you should say that...it takes me longer to properly "bang" a tail, than it does to take the knife and taper one. :bgrin

I also pull my show-horses manes, but will underclip the forelocks. I will NOT, (huge pet-peeve) undercut the mane. I don't care who it is, or if "you" have 20 horses to prepare for a show...you should STILL pull a mane properly...not "do the quicky". If I was paying a trainer to show groom, train, and show my horse(s), and it came back with an undercut mane...there would be he** to pay. :new_shocked: Sorry, but like I said...it is a major no-no to me. :no:

 

[hobbyhorse23]

I also pull my show-horses manes, but will underclip the forelocks. I will NOT, (huge pet-peeve) undercut the mane. I don't care who it is, or if "you" have 20 horses to prepare for a show...you should STILL pull a mane properly...not "do the quicky". If I was paying a trainer to show groom, train, and show my horse(s), and it came back with an undercut mane...there would be he** to pay. :new_shocked: Sorry, but like I said...it is a major no-no to me. :no:

Wow, I can't imagine any mini standing still to have that much hair yanked out by the roots every few weeks! :new_shocked: I hate the undercut look too, but on something as hairy as a mini I wouldn't have the guts to attempt pulling even if I knew how to do it properly. Kody nearly bit me just for the little amount I had to pull out for DNA testing!

Minihgal, I bang Kody's tail with regular scissors. I do as some others have mentioned and cut it off straight across a little longer than I want it, then cut up into the hair at different angles until it looks natural. Since Kody carries his tail down except when he's in harness I do put his crupper on first to make sure the cut is at the proper angle. I have to do him every five weeks or so to keep it up off the ground. I could go longer between trims if I trimmed it higher to start with, but with his hindquarters he looks best if it appears to float just above the ground when he's moving. In the winter I admit I hack it off much higher and blunt cut just to keep it up out of the copious mud! :lol:

Leia

 

[Jetiki]

I have to cut my mares tail or she will not back one inch, she hates to step on her tail. Her tail isn't the thickest so what I do is cut a slight arch across the bottom of her tail. looks great but not the full straight across blunt look. It to me looks more natural. It works for us.

Karen

 

[Sue_C.]

Wow, I can't imagine any mini standing still to have that much hair yanked out by the roots every few weeks! I hate the undercut look too, but on something as hairy as a mini

:bgrin I start in the spring, when the hair is flying anyways...and it takes a couple of weeks...a bit at a time. When done properly and carefully, it is not difficult to maintain over the summer at all. The best time to do it is after the horse has been worked, and warmed-up. I only pull a few hairs at a time, and they stand there eating out of a hay-bag and don't even notice. Honest.

: I keep the manes almost shoulder length...no longer, as I find that most horses don't look good with hugely long manes...it makes them look so much older.

I must be lucky, as none of our minis have that 'big-hair-thang" going on...and the manes are no harder to keep up with than my other horses were.