Pulling tails when you can't pull tails!

[zoon]

My horse is rising 4 and has a massive bushy tail. He was shown as a youngster by his previous owner who warned me he isn't keen on having mane pulled. His tail has never been touched. So, how do I make him look presentable without pulling? I've never pulled a tail in my life and no idea how I'd do it even if he'd let me! So any step by step no pulling instructions for a numpty? Any pics of how things should look?

Here is the tail in question...

 

[Donkey66]

If you pull around 5 hairs a day he won't notice. If you do that every day of the year he will have a nicely pulled tail with no agro.
Good Luck.
Btw start on the sides, then do the middle. If they are sensitive don't pull lots of hair from one area.

 

[shortstuff99]

You could try the pulling rakes? Then you're not actually pulling but it has the same effect.

 

[The Bouncing Bog Trotter]

I bought one of these last week and I love the results. Used on a show cob with a real bog brush tail and the results are very neat. Yes, I know I should pull, but it seems so unfair and she really does not like it. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smart-Tai...Horse_Wear_Equipment&var=&hash=item35c4975cff

 

[wench]

Tail rake - works wonders!

 

[alsxx]

Tail rakes are amazing inventions!! Honestly, if you tried pulling even 1 hair from my TBs tail he would kick you to the other side if the yard!! Tail rake he just stands there and dozes! Doesn't look to shabby either!

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Tail rake and thinning scissors. My boy would murder you and the rest of the world if you tried to pull his tail but I kept him showing ready with a fine rake (dog one incidentally) and a pair of thinning scissors for up the sides

 

[MandyMoo]

tail rake!

 

[philamena]

Tail rake - but if you want low maintenance, and as your chap has quite a fullsome tail, make sure you watch one of the vids on youtube of how to use them correctly ie only very close to the dock so you don't risk a bog brush effect

 

[zoon]

Ok, I have two tail rakes already (use them for manes), but where do I rake and how much? Told you I was a numpty!

 

[seabsicuit2]

I honestly don't think a tail rake gives as good an effect as a proper pulled tail, or am I missing something?

 

[Ferdinase514]

Tail rake - do it with tail wet and do down the sides. Looks great and just as good as "pulled"

 

[Honey08]

My tail rake doesn't do a thing to my horse's tail (which is pulled). Do I need a finer one?

 

[I_A_P]

I use thinning scissors (mainly down the sides and underneath). then use one of those bladed combs to run down it and tidy up

 

[Tiffany]

A dressage rider showed me how to cut a tail to make it looked pulled. It takes a bit of practice but it really works

 

[philamena]

I honestly don't think a tail rake gives as good an effect as a proper pulled tail, or am I missing something?

IME it's not as good - except if you go for a vey subtle tidying narrowing the sides but not really taking and more off.

 

[dieseldog]

Here is a video

http://youtu.be/8HOsUTlRR0s

Tail Rakes probably are 95% as good as pulling, but they are a lot more humane.

 

[Ancient Hacker]

Confession time. I've never pulled a tail or mane in my life, and grew up on our own livery! Comb, scissors, and decent hair products...
I can get my horses looking pretty neat using just the above. But I don't do dressage, which is possibly why I get away with it.

 

[marielongstaff]

fine or medium blades on tail rake?! WB/TB tail?!


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smart-Tai...tem35c4975cff&clk_rvr_id=461254308337&afsrc=1

 

[PorkChop]

I personally wouldn't use a tail rake. Pull a little at a time every day, and when it gets shorter use blunt ended pliers.