Possible daft question...

4leggedfurries

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But how long are your horses tails? Particularly TB owners. I'm going to start tidying D up over the next couple of weeks ready to start brining him back in to work as he's a bit scruffy at the mo and noticed last night that his tail is almost touching the ground. I must admit i dont want to cut it too short as he's the first TB i've had that has a full and thick tail, i'm so proud of it i want to keep it. So where do you recommend to trim it back to? Like i say i've never had this problem as my others never really had a tail to trim! Thanks!
 
I take my gelding tail between his hock and fetlock but i only trim my mares to her fetlock.

My gelding is a hunter type and suits his tail a little shorter which makes it look thicker but my mare has a really thick tail so i only take it to her fetlock because it is so nice and full already.
 
I always leave mine slightly too long. It can give the appearance of them taking more weight behind. Cheating I know!!
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for all my girls (dartmoor, sec d and TB) during winter i wrap the tail underneath one leg and round the hock and trim it so that it is at even length with the hock.
 
My TB X has his tail banged straight to his hocks. I can't abide long tails, and at this time of year have them particularly short to keep them clean and mud free.
 
My TB has his tail cut so when he is working it sits at his hock! He has a typical TB tail and looks rediculous when long! Easy this time of year too
 
Likewise Sally, I keep mine hock short in the winter...nothing like a long tail for wicking up mud and water and contributing to muddy and possibly mud fevery hind legs. Conversely I let them grow as long as possible through the summer to maximise fly swatting potential.
 
Used to use the rule of:
stand them up square
wrap tail around right hock
cut off level with hock

no idea why, thats just what I was brought up with - and to cut it at an angle so that when the tail is carried it becomes level, (the angle is towards the horse - not left or right to look wonkey!!)

I'd be rubbish with a native breed - isn't it dales ponies where their tales are suppose to touch the floor? I'd just chop 'em off!
 
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