Tails! (and showing)

[Fools Motto]

My new mare has a lovely thick tail, but clearly it's been pulled in the past and it's growing out (the bog brush look!). I love full tails, and can't wait til it's all looking fabulous, not to mention I hate pulling tails.
She is the type that could look nice in small hunter classes, and as it's something I've done before, it would be something I'd be happy to aim for again. My yard owner currently shows in hunter classes, and says that the turnout aspect has to be pulled tails - a plaited tail will get you marked down. I don't remember this.... I always plaited my old mare's tail, and although we mainly did working hunter, no one mentioned about tails. Will we be asked to leave for not being 'correct?'

On a slightly side note, does your horse have a full or pulled tail? Any photos?

 

[PapaverFollis]

It's easy enough to get a pulled look with a tail rake. I do both mine as hogged cobs now so rake tails. They seem to enjoy the scratches!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

It’s definitely correct to have pulled after going to a showing clinic. However I hate those tails that look practically bald because they’ve been over pulled. I use a rake and scissors but refuse to take the hair off too far down the tailbone. But then I don’t show seriously. Try some local classes and get some judges feedback on the plaiting maybe? I don’t think you’ll be chucked out though.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Most people cut and rake tails rather than totally pull but if your wanting to show top level plaited tails are just not seen in the ring so you will stand out like a sore thumb.

Local level it is acceptable but you don't see many plaited tails hardly at all now.

 

[ponynutz]

I used to refuse to pull my girl's tail when I showed and I probably did get marked down for it but I imagine it was never by much as I was still sometimes placed.

Most of the horses I've seen who have ribbons in their tails are normally plaited, I'm sure there are those who put a ribbon in a pulled tail, but maybe a little bit of using the rules to get away with it could work...

That being said if you're going to a very high level Pinkvboots is right... you'll stand out like a sore thumb unfortunately.

 

[oldie48]

Here i s Rose in a riding horse class, her tail was raked over a period of days, she was fine about it. The tail is too long, really it should be hock length when working but I didn't want to shorten it anymore. Her tail is also a bit on the skinny side, but it looked very smart despite my reluctance to change it from a full one.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I plaited my riding horse. Judge commented how nice it was to see a traditional braid! We were placed 1st, ring champion then supreme!!

 

[Gloi]

I do think there are so many pulled tails because so few people can do a decent plait.

 

[jnb]

Plaiting a tail in the show ring - at agricultural level and above - is as incorrect as a child wearing spurs, it is just not etiquette.
Along with hogged cobs with forelocks left on, huge saddle cloths/numnahs and loose hair on ladies or black gloves.

At local level, do what you like. But IMO the more professional you look, the better you will do.

PS in the show ring I mean. SJ, dressage, eventing or hunting do whatever you want.
PPS Mares with foals at foot and youngstock in hand can have tails plaited. That's the only place I have seen them at top level