Clipping or pulling tails?

Pull and only use clippers to cut end of tail.....seen a few disasters if you don't no what you are doing with clippers.....will pull tail over a few days so not all done in one hit:)
 
Pull or use a rake, clipped tails can look good if done well but most look dreadful especially a few weeks later when they start growing out and look like a loo brush. If you cannot pull properly leave it and plait if you have to.
 
I clip mine. First time I did it, I sent a pic to my friend who is a very old fashioned equestrian and she said that looks really nicely pulled. Whatever you do don't be tempted to use the clippers. I then came clean and said I clipped it :D

I don't do it very short, so it always looks like it almost needs done now, I think. Never looks like a bog brush. Expect it's not good enough for showing but I'm quite happy with it for SJ and the things we do!
 
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Ditto - I hate clipped tails. Loads of kids on the SJ circuit locally do it so they don't have to plait which I suppose turns me off even more. I tend to leave ours full at the moment - simply because they have tails that it suits. But when needed I'll pull tails. I don't use a rake either!
 
Have never pulled tails though that may be thought very old fashioned now. Has always seemed to be a bit unnecessary and I work on the basis that the horse is turned out every day yet only goes to shows a few days so why spoil what they need for the majority of the time for a few hours per year.

If you want a tail to look tidy then groom it well and either lay the top with hair gel and a tail bandage (be careful not to leave bandage on too long or too tight) or plait it.
 
i dont pull my tails, but don't like leaving them full, i use a mix of little clippers, rakes and the £2 whisker razors.

Once its done its really easy to keep on top of i just tidy it up every so often.

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Mine are all left full/natural nowadays due to their work, but if I had to have an adulterated tail, I'd clip (using scissors, I can do a mighty fine job that would fool all but the most dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist).
 
I have always left tails full then plaited if needed in the past, but my new girl has such a thick tail. She's also a bit of a chunky monkey and if left hairy could look a little common. Her previous owner kept it smart with a rake, which I am now continuing to do. She holds it very nicely (part Arab/part Welsh influence no doubt) and to me it just looks better than leaving it full.

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I wouldn't touch Cam's tail though as a lot of the darker hair is on the outside of his tail and I know if I pulled/raked it, the hair would most likely grow back white. Trying to hang on to the dark bits as long as possible! :)
 
We show so always pull and never clip. We may start a thick tail with a rake and finish with pulling. It's surprising how many just don't care - we have one who hates having his name pulled but will stand eating a net of hay quite nonchalantly what his tail
is pulled.
 
I loathe clipped tails. They just look awful in my opinion. I pull mine, properly with fingers and a comb.

Nothing smarter than a well pulled tail in my eyes. But it's all just personal preference.
 
I dislike any kind of clipping or razoring on a tail. If you let them grow out properly and don't constantly fiddle around, most will grow a nice neat tail ime. I might use a rake to thin the bulk, but never at the top.
 
LD&S said:
When the day comes that I'm happy to pull my hair out then I will pull my horses.
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I agree

EKW said:
I would love to learn how to pull a tail properly but it seems to be a dying art!
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Thank goodness its a dying "art".


People should experiment and practise on their own hair, or a child's who doesnt understand what you are doing and see how much you or the child like it and then think about how cruel it is to the horse who is trained/forced to learn to stand still while it is done or they are punished.
Not being inflammatory, genuinely interested to see how many people would be happy to have it done to themselves when there are so many other humane methods available.

Sadly in the case of horses just because something has always been done seems to make it acceptable.
 
Pull. Everytime.
Don't think I've ever seen a nice clipped tail.

My boy used to stand like a rock to have his mane and tail pulled and he'd be quick to tell me if it hurt....
 
I love the look of a properly pulled tail, but don't believe in it for the sake of vanity.
I'm a dab hand at a pretty damn good replica using clippers underneath and then a rake & dog stripper on the top and sides.
Unfortunately current horse doesn't do clippers so my attempt with just a rake is no where near as good
 
I pulled Samuel's tail when I first got him as he has a very thick tail but I now keep it tidy with scissors. I only do the sides though just to give the top a bit of shape.

His mane though, that's another story LOL
 
2 are pulled (hunters) one is left as is and just plaited for high days as he is not easy to clip or pull manes which I have to do so I leave his tail. Others don't care. You cannot beat a nice pulled tail.
 
I'm firmly in the 'it's cruel' camp to pull tails, in fact any sort of hair pulling is so unnecessary.
My current eventer used to be twitched to have his mane & tail pulled, if you even brushed his tail he clamped his tail to his bum & stood with his ears pinned back. Urgh not a way I want any of my horses behaving 😞

Mind you I also don't like clipped tails either. I do a mean job with a rake & thinning scissors. Looks smart & happy horse 👍
 
I really don't like clipped tails. Most ponies in polo have clipped tails, I've never liked them. We always left them natural and plaited them down.

We used to pull their tails when we showed, but now they are au-natural!
 
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