Pulling Tails?

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vikkiandmonica

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How do you do it?

Can someone please give me really simple, easy instructions on how to pull Wings' tail? I'm going to do dressage soon, and fail at plaiting tails, so think pulling would be better. I have a pulling comb and can borrow a rake, so instructions with either of these would be great!

(BTW, he's a WB, not sure if this changes things?)

Thanks :D
 
To start with, it's much easier to get the hair out if the horse is warm, so try doing it after you've worked him.

Imagine that the dock is made of 4 flat sides - you're going to pull the hair off the two short sides.

I do it by hand rather than using combs etc. If you're pulling a tail that has never been pulled, it's much easier, as you can wrap the hair round the comb, just like you're pulling a mane. If you're pulling something that have been previously pulled, it's harder as the tail hairs will be too short to wrap. (hence me using my fingers!)

I start at the top of the dock, and pull the hair out from the side - working my way down approx 8" (depends on the shape of the tail, where the long hair naturally flares out, usually just below the point of the buttocks). I take a few hairs at a time, holding the end of the hair in my thumb and forefinger, and snap down in the direction of the hair.

Then I do the other side. You may get spots of blood - this is normal - you should get a partially bald area where you've been pulling.

Then, I brush the hair on the top out, giving the dock a centre parting, so that the hair is horizontal. I then shorten this hair by holding the ends and sharply snapping down, so that the ends break off.

Comb the whole dock smooth and see what you've got!

Most people don't take enough off - a pulled tail always looks its worse when the job is half done.

Once you've finished, put a tail bandage on to flatten the hair. You may need to go back and tidy up bits you've missed and it's easier after the tail bandage, to see how it lies.
 
Ok, so i should pull rather than use a rake? Here is a butt picture showing off his tail, where should I stop?

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As you can see, it is very much overgrown (has previously been pulled, but never by me)
 
I would probably pull what's been previously pulled - you won't be far wrong and then you won't have the "step" between pulled and not pulled of half grown!

I can't advise you on using a rake - I've never used one - they weren't invented when I learnt to pull tails!

It'll be easier pulling the length of the re-growth - it'd take me about 15-20 mins to do the whole thing with the tail as it is (where are you?? :) )
 
word of warning with the rakes. their good but don't get too 'rake happy' or you end up with what looks like a bog brush. i use mine weekly to keep megs tail pulled, but before when it was longer i used the rake but also a solo comb(didn't pull it as she would kick me :()
 
Thanks for the advice guys!

And spacefaer, I'm in Newcastle, if your close enough, feel free to come and pull it for me? :D

Also, does anyone have any pictures of a nicely pulled tail?
 
This is quite an old one from when I was working for Jonty, but it's the best picture I have of one of my tails! (wow that sounds odd...) Taken at the first trot up at Houghton.

ETA - pulled by hand, I can't BEAR clipped tails, and raked tails (in my opinion) look like bog brushes. Plus I find pulling tails therapeutic...

raffers.jpg
 
Well, I jumped in there any did it. Not as good as the above, but I think he looks much smarter!

Here are the pictures, I took them to show how I progressed! Any criticism or ways to improve are welcome :D (remember this is my first ever time, and I cut 2 fingers in the process, whereas wings fell asleep while I did it :p )

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And finished:

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finished one looks good, you can come do mine next week :D

i hate pulling tails but i i hate plaited ones. So i'm gonna have to bite the bullet and redo my boy's one soon. and spacefaer's step by step is what i'll be trying rather than my usual dive in and attack ending up with bog brush previous attempts!!
 
alj7 said:
finished one looks good, you can come do mine next week :D

i hate pulling tails but i i hate plaited ones. So i'm gonna have to bite the bullet and redo my boy's one soon. and spacefaer's step by step is what i'll be trying rather than my usual dive in and attack ending up with bog brush previous attempts!!
Click to expand...

Just seen this, THANK YOU!! I quite liked pulling it, probably because Wings was very nice and patient with me :D
 
That's a FABULOUS first tail! My first pulling attempt looked like I'd tried to scalp the poor creature. Well done! It takes lots of practice, but is also an art - you either have it or you haven't, and you clearly have it. Now get as much practice in as possible - pounce on unsuspecting horses in the early hours...

Also, good idea to try and do a bit every day to keep on top of it. I pull a few hairs and do a quick tidy up on all mine every day just before I put them to bed or after working. Means you never have that awful "ohmygod, I've got to pull a tail from scratch....again" feeling!
 
Thanks Starzaan! I did very nearly spit my coffee over my laptop when you told me to pounce on unsuspecting horses haha :D

Thanks for the advice, will do a little a day, and Wings seems to like it, so I don't have to fear my life :p
 
As others have said you have made a good job and are nearly there just a bit more out the sides and shape it so it looks like it has a "waist" in the middle and goes narrower down near the bottom of the pulled bit, (I havnt explained that very well) see picture of the Jonty horse you will get what I mean.
 
Did it take you long? I really need to do teds, but was tempted with the tail rake.

But I do love pulling manes so think I may have a start at teds tail tomorrow.

Got a show coming up see, so tomorrow im gonna groom the hell out of him lol!
 
Steeleydan - thanks, will do that tomorrow and over the next few days.

I <3 My Teddi - took me around an hour, but this was my first time doing it, so I'm obviously not as fast as others :)
 
Thats not too bad then, it does look really good. Im gonna have a go at teds tail tomorrow I think, see how I do.

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This is his tail after a wash in June. Now its black with mud and poo, and bushier lol. Will do a before and after tomorrow I think .
 
Well I have had him 2 years now, and not done it.
I did have a go at pulling a few bits out last year, but after about 10mins I thought... am I going this right?? lol.

Think I may have to wash mines tail before I start though lol.
 
I <3 My Teddi said:
Well I have had him 2 years now, and not done it.
I did have a go at pulling a few bits out last year, but after about 10mins I thought... am I going this right?? lol.

Think I may have to wash mines tail before I start though lol.
Click to expand...

Dirty tails are much easier to pull - have you ever tried plaiting a clean mane? I'd wash when you're finished... filth gives you some grip.
 
Agree with Happy Hunter - I have a pair of spring loaded pliers from any hardware store and they are brilliant for shorter hairs. Jonty's horse's tail looks fantastic. The main thing is to only pull the hairs down the sides first - once they are all gone you can see what needs to be taken off the middle. I back comb the middle and pull it like a mane.
 
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