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Elite Veteran
Posts: 747
  
| So I've noticed a couple girls around here braid just the end 5 or 6 inches of their horses tails when they run. Also, I saw Sherry Cervi did this to Atlas Peak's tail. Is there a specific reason they do this? Does it help them to know wring it when they run? Or is it to keep them from stepping on it if it's long? I wouldn't think it would be to keep it from snapping because I find that it snaps harder when its braided then when it just hangs. I'm just curious, thanks! |
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 Ms. Poutability
Posts: 2362
Location: In my own world | I have been told it's to prevent them from stepping on it if they get down in their turns but don't know if that is accurate |
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 Expert
Posts: 1229
Location: Royal J Performance Horses, AZ | I used to do that with a Stallion I ran some years ago.
his tail drug the ground by at least 3 inches. I didnt like the entire tail braided I like it looking loose, but still out of his way. so I always braided the last 6 to 8 inches.
ETA: I also used to do that with the mare in my profile pic. her tail touches the ground, and when she used her hind end she would rip some out, so when ever she was being worked if her tail wasnt wrapped up thats how i would braid it as well
Edited by Fancie_That_Chrome_ 2015-08-24 5:58 PM
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 Saint Stacey
| It started in the show pen as a way to keep the tail out of the dirt before going into the one to show. Tie down ropers started doing it so the horse wouldn't step on the tail when they back up. There is no real reason to do it to a barrel horse other than you like the way it looks. A horse can't step on its tail in a turn. The tail is behind them. |
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  The Color Specialist
Posts: 7530
Location: Washington. (The DRY side.) | My thoughts when I see this. (No matter the event) are:
#1. CUT IT OFF if it is too long. (Meaning shorten it, not chop it all off. LOL)
#2. They obviously haven't had the horses tail catch on something and RIP IT OUT! (yet.)
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I Am a Snake Killer
Posts: 1927
Location: Golden Gulf Coast of Texas | If it's long enuf even a barrel racers horse can stop hard enuf to step on it and pull it out while warming them up or stopping when running out. So many judges on here! To each his own!
Edited by mreklaw 2015-08-24 6:23 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1229
Location: Royal J Performance Horses, AZ | mreklaw - 2015-08-24 5:21 PM If it's long enuf even a barrel racers horse can stop hard enuf to step on it and pull it out while warming them up or stopping when running out. So many judges on here! To each his own!
 WHat they said ^^^^^^^^
I LOVE LOng BEAUTIFUL tails. I want to show that puppy off when im out and about. but i DONT want my horse ripping it out, and why have a long pretty tail if you cant let it loose?
Thats why braiding the last few inches are a great way to keep it OUT of the way and show off your hard work and a beautiful tail! |
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Saint Stacey
| I like long beautiful tails too. But if it drags on the ground by 6 inches, braiding the end won't shorten it enough to keep them from stepping on it while backing. There's a reason why reiners cut them to the fetlocks. Any horse can rip it out if it's long enough and they back over it. No judging here. Just stating facts and history of where the trend started. |
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Expert
Posts: 1229
Location: Royal J Performance Horses, AZ | This is the mare. I could NEVER cut that off. The most a pair of scissors are ever taken to it are to trim dead ends, and thats an INCH maybe two. and thats it.
 (Rsz Fancie hind shot.jpg)
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 Rsz Fancie hind shot.jpg (91KB - 206 downloads)
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I Am a Snake Killer
Posts: 1927
Location: Golden Gulf Coast of Texas | SKM - 2015-08-24 6:39 PM
I like long beautiful tails too. But if it drags on the ground by 6 inches, braiding the end won't shorten it enough to keep them from stepping on it while backing. There's a reason why reiners cut them to the fetlocks. Any horse can rip it out if it's long enough and they back over it. No judging here. Just stating facts and history of where the trend started.
I keep mine cut at the fetlocks and I have one mare that still pulls it out if she stops hard. |
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I Am a Snake Killer
Posts: 1927
Location: Golden Gulf Coast of Texas | Fancie_That_Chrome_ - 2015-08-24 6:51 PM
This is the mare. I could NEVER cut that off. The most a pair of scissors are ever taken to it are to trim dead ends, and thats an INCH maybe two. and thats it.
Super nice! |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| mreklaw - 2015-08-24 6:21 PM If it's long enuf even a barrel racers horse can stop hard enuf to step on it and pull it out while warming them up or stopping when running out. So many judges on here! To each his own!
Yep, when my guy was out for a year because of injury his tail was thick and touched the ground-drove my vet crazy keeping it out of the way, lol. When healed and back running for a few months, he lost some length and thickness, and I don't even run that hard. |
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I Am a Snake Killer
Posts: 1927
Location: Golden Gulf Coast of Texas | rodeomom3 - 2015-08-24 6:59 PM
mreklaw - 2015-08-24 6:21 PM If it's long enuf even a barrel racers horse can stop hard enuf to step on it and pull it out while warming them up or stopping when running out. So many judges on here! To each his own!
Yep, when my guy was out for a year because of injury his tail was thick and touched the ground-drove my vet crazy keeping it out of the way, lol. When healed and back running for a few months, he lost some length and thickness, and I don't even run that hard.
My mare will pull chunks out backing out of trailer too. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| mreklaw - 2015-08-24 7:51 PM
SKM - 2015-08-24 6:39 PM
I like long beautiful tails too. But if it drags on the ground by 6 inches, braiding the end won't shorten it enough to keep them from stepping on it while backing. There's a reason why reiners cut them to the fetlocks. Any horse can rip it out if it's long enough and they back over it. No judging here. Just stating facts and history of where the trend started.
I keep mine cut at the fetlocks and I have one mare that still pulls it out if she stops hard.
Horse in my profile pic gets hers cut to the fetlocks too since she's an all around horse. She has a fake tail for show events, and it looks better cut straight in halter and showmanship. When working reining/hard backs, she will sometimes step on it and stumble a little, but she hasn't ripped it out yet. *knock on wood* |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | As a roper I would always braid 6-8" to keep them from stepping on the tail. HATE the full tail braid look. |
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| dang, i was so hoping someone was gonna say it does stop them from twitching their tail when running. ......that would be a sweet fix..... I hate a horse that wrings tail when running. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| y_do_i_do_this - 2015-08-25 3:51 PM
dang, i was so hoping someone was gonna say it does stop them from twitching their tail when running. ......that would be a sweet fix..... I hate a horse that wrings tail when running.
It's sometimes a sign of pain, so... ya, I would vet check any horse that did it extremely well, and check saddle/tack too. |
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