Itchy tail vs in hand horse show

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katydixon

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Hello everyone looking for some much needed advice. Late last year my mare was taken very ill (collitis, toxic shock, salmonella an infection and toxic shock again) along with fracturing her back leg. Since her miraculous recovery I've been really looking forward to going to our local county show to present her in hand in the veteran class. The show is next Tuesday and to my horror she's itched her tail raw quite literally over night. I've been so looking forward to going to the show I have my grandparents coming to watch her and my parents who are so greatful she's still with us and should have been a really special day for us all. I know it's not the end of the world if she can't go but I feel it would be such a shame. I'm desperately trying to look for some way to get her to look smart enough to go. I don't care if we come dead last but I'd like her to look as smart as she can. Does anyone know anything I can do to get her hair to grow back or at least enough of it so we look smart? Any advice welcomed, please no nasty comments. Thanks Katy :)
 
What type is she? if you can tidy up the sides to shape the top and get rid of the rawness which usually settles once the cause is removed, you should then be able to get it shaped so it looks pulled once washed and flattened down by a bandage, depending on her colour you may be able to disguise it a little but be very careful you don't set off the rubbing again by using products that irritate her skin.
Aloe vera is soothing and may help heal it quickly, coconut oil can also help but nothing will make the hair grow back in just a few days.
 
Hello thanks for your response. She's an Arab X Connie and a strawberry roan but a very light grey in colour. I put aloe on it yesterday and have turned her out full time to stop her itching in the stable. I wasn't sure for an in hand show whether she should have her tail plaited? Or could she just have her tail pulled instead?
 
katydixon said:
Hello thanks for your response. She's an Arab X Connie and a strawberry roan but a very light grey in colour. I put aloe on it yesterday and have turned her out full time to stop her itching in the stable. I wasn't sure for an in hand show whether she should have her tail plaited? Or could she just have her tail pulled instead?
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As a part bred she should be plaited and have her tail pulled to be correctly turned out anyway so get tidying. A little chalk on the top where she has rubbed it bare may be enough to hide the worst on show day.
 
So, plaited mane and pulled tail because she is a cross of two breeds both of which would be shown au naturel? I know nothing about showing and understand less :-) interesting though.., and incidentally she sounds like a lovely cross!
 
ThursdayNext said:
So, plaited mane and pulled tail because she is a cross of two breeds both of which would be shown au naturel? I know nothing about showing and understand less :-) interesting though.., and incidentally she sounds like a lovely cross!
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Yes you turn out to type so she will be probably of show pony or hunter pony type at a guess, she is not likely to be of native type with the arab blood in her so should not be shown in her natural state, showing has various "rules" that can be confusing but generally anything that is not a pure native breed or traditional cob type will be pulled, plaited and trimmed when being shown.
 
Fantastic tip about the chalk I will have a go. Yes I assumed plaited tail for her, she still has some hair on the sides so hopefully a tactful plait will cover the bold patch with the added chalk to cover any bare spots. I really appreciate all of the tips so far. I really hope we can patch up the tail somehow to look somewhat decent for the show!
 
I'm not 100% sure but I think be positive is saying pulled tail bit only plaited mane?!?

Edited for atrocious swipe type spelling
 
Agree, part breds should be shown with plaited manes and pulled or plaited tails, it is a bad time of year for tail rubbing :( mine are rubbing their faces. Think it is the midges grrr. Good luck at the show and let us know how it goes.
 
I know I was so upset when I saw her itchy tail. I've been trying stinky stuff on her tail but doesn't seem to be doing anything. I'm hoping some clever patching up and chalk may help. I may just go regardless!
 
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