Tails - How long should they be?

[kirstyhoneyb]

After seeing tail lengths being mentioned in a few posts today I was wondering how long a horses tail should be.

 

[Achinghips]

I like em short-ish. Mainly as I don't like being whipped across the face with a shitty, muddy tail in summer - lol

 

[AMW]

depends what you have and depends what they do

bit of a personal thing horses tail length

Our TB had his pulled and trimmed, natives long, coloured trimmed, just depends. Personally I like to see them right for their type

 

[Cash]

Never had a native, coloured etc, but have been taught that for TBs, ISHs etc they should fall to about 2 inches below the hock. But definitely personsal preference- i personally like them quite short

 

[VioletStripe]

I, as a guide, would put my arm under the dock and trim it so that it was around an inch under is hocks. That's what I was old anyway, as it mimics the way they carry their tails when being ridden. It depends on your taste though, some people like longer tails, I just find it easier to keep clean if it a bit shorter! xx

 

[MistletoeMegan]

I prefer them to be carried at the hocks.

Hate, hate, hate long tails

 

[LittleSoph]

My pony would look silly with a short tail. His almost touches the floor.

 

[Mooch]

My ID x TB has hers trimmed so it is carried at her hocks and my baby Cob currently has his just off the floor.

Although it will soon be cleaned and bagged!!

 

[magicgirl]

The length totally depends on the horse in question and what you want to do. Competition horses generally have shorter tails. M&M ponies if they are shown have the length that the breed standard dictates. Traditional coloureds are shown with full tails. Horses and ponies turned out for the summer are usually better off with a long enough tail to be an effective fly whisk. I suppose the best answer is that a tail should be as long or short as you want it to be.

 

[My_chestnut_mare]

[ QUOTE ]
I like em short-ish. Mainly as I don't like being whipped across the face with a shitty, muddy tail in summer - lol

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL

that made me giggle^^^^ I'm the same.

Hari's tail is cut to just below her hocks.

where as jaes is long long as he had the thickest tail ever you could have 2 tails from it. May be even 4

 

[marmalade76]

A hand's width below the hock. A shorter tail is much easier to keep clean and looks smart.

I notice that racehorses and show horses (except M&M) have their tails kept short and I see a lot of eventers and dressage horses with longer tails than I would like. A long, thick tail must weigh a ton, especially when wet/muddy.