Length of tail

[MizElz]

How long do you keep your horse's tail, and do you think that this generally varies with discipline? When I show jumped, I used to cut Ellie's tail just one or two inches below her hocks - very short! I dont particularly know why I did this - I think my trainer did it to her once when she was at his yard for schooling, and I kept it that length ever since! However, having now taken up dressage, someone remarked to me that she has such lovely tail carriage I should let it grow long - plus it isnt the thickest of tails. Now it is about three inches above her fetlocks, and I think it looks lovely! I don't know why I used to chop it off before

 

[disco]

I used to cut my horses tail to a couple of inches below the hocks too, but as years have passed I feel it's better to be longer for them to use as a fly swatter in the summer!

 

[_April_]

I read somewhere the rule was short for showing, long for dressage!

Our main thing is dressage so it's extremely long

Bit of a pain in the winter though lol x

 

[Theresa_F]

Just touching the ground - but then he is a gypsy cob and they shown natural.

Normally after being bagged over the winter, when I finally wash and comb in out, it trails behind him like a train until the clippers come out.

 

[Thistle]

cut is quite short in winter (mud) and let it grow for summer

 

[ladylisa]

My horse lives out 24/7 so in the winter i cut it a few inches below her hocks to keep it out of the mud and in the summer it is a few inches above her fetlocks.

 

[Super_Kat]

When I get around to cutitng mine I cut it quite short because I think it looks smarter

 

[arwenplusone]

Four fingers below the hocks (so scientific)

Think most horse's tails actually look thicker when they are shorter (no straggly bits). Except the hairy natives of course

 

[Irishcobs]

Cut to mid cannon in the winter, but as long as I can (about fetlock length) in the spring/summer for showing.
At work everything has it cut a few inches below the hocks, my arm is used under the dock so we can see how it looks when the horses carry it. Accept the little mare who has it a bit shorter as she is long in the back.

 

[JessMannion]

Yer I just cut it. the bottom was all nasty and scraggly but i reckon it looks stupid now... im never happy

 

[Solstar]

I cut them so there about an inch below the hock in winter- i like short tails and it's easier to keep them clean, and to club Red's up for hunting.

 

[Minnies_Mum]

My dad once cut my TB's tail really short (about an inch below his hocks, possibly higher when carrying it) with the excuse "he's a rachorse". He's not a racehorse, he's a TB, he hasn't raced since he was 2 and he's now 20! I thought it looked rediculous, I like it about mid-cannon.

 

[rara007]

The ones with thin tails have them an inch below their hocks, it makes them look fuller. Ajays is just above the ground, and those with 'normal' tails have it mid-cannon.

 

[Sparklet]

My horses tail touches her hooves but I do dressage and the longer the better for me. Grand Prix riders told me it is long in dressage to give the illusion that the horse is more sat on its hocks....more uphill. Not going disregard that type of advice...we need all the help we can get.