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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
 
Location: Oklahoma | What does this mean? Is it a red flag to something negative or just a quirk? |
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 Veteran
Posts: 253
Location: EDGE OF INSANITY | i have one that does it too, so i did some research (google lol) and several articles said some horses do that to balance themselves. I would like to hear what others have to say also. I do know that swishing the tail usually implicates some sort of soreness, but not holding the tail up. Mines hold his tail more "out" than "up" if that makes sense |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1076
Location: Winds-A-Blowen, Oklahoma | In my experiance it has been mares I see this with. I can't even remember if i've ever had or seen a gelding do this. I have had them looked at, some mares had problems or were sore and some mares didn't, but then a again i've had horses that did not do this and were vet checked sore. I had a mare for sale that did this, I had her checked and nothing was found. On a whim while I was at the vets I had her sewn up, problem was cured.
I agree with the previous posters statement about swishing, it is a sign of soreness. But just holding it up is not the same thing IMEO.
Edited by Running Drums 2014-03-06 10:20 AM
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | Holding the tail up can be a sign of hock or stifle soreness in my experience.
ETA: I ride geldings and noticed my guy who has stifles issues will run with his tail up. After injecting he runs with it normal.
Edited by WYOTurn-n-Burn 2014-03-06 10:10 AM
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 Member
Posts: 20
| I went to a Lynn McKenzie barrel clinic one summer and this girl had a mare that flicked or twitched her tail super hard when she ran. You could tell the mare was irritated. We were told that horse do this when they are in pain or something is wrong. If you watch which way they tail flicks it often points to the side that is in pain. The mare at the clinic had problem with ovulation or cysts (some type of female problem) so when she ran it irritated her. I believe they had her spade and it helped. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Thanks! The horse in question is a made. Not mine, but one I was looking into. Think I'll pass. |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| I think some just hold their tail that way when they run. And for a gelding it might be something as simple as a bean - my gelding started to hold his up more last year even when trotting or walking sometimes and vet checked and he had an abrasion/irritation on his sheath. I don't think I would rule a horse out for this unless they are really swishing their tail then that would be an indication of a bigger issue... |
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| Okay my gelding swishes his tail any time i put the tiniest pressure on his side. I have gotten him chiropracted and injected and all that good stuff, ulcers, everything. He especially does it when he runs, only when i kick him though and ask him to go faster, not when i kiss to him to ask him to go faster. Is there something i should be looking for more or is he just being a grouch? |
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