Transitioning from Clipped to Pulled Tail

[SuZQuzie]

I HATE the look of a clipped tail, but it seems like everyone and their mother over here in America only clips tails and doesn't even know what a real pulled tail looks like. Given this, they are pretty useless when it comes to my question.

I am taking care of my friend's 1* horse while he is out of town and was given permission to give him some serious beauty treatment. He has a poorly kept clipped tail right now, that I would love to make pulled.

I used to pull my bay pony's tail years ago, but I have since gotten a flaxen with a gorgeous tail. I just can't bring myself to pull out those pretty colored hairs, so he is plaited for shows. Pic. But this means, on top of everything, I'm rusty.

What is the best way to transition a clipped tail to a pulled one? I started a bit yesterday, more smoothly out the lines between the clipped and unclipped portions of the tail, especially at the base. I know for a "virgin" tail, I would pretty much pull the entire sides of the tail until his was bald. But he was actually clipped even on the top and outward facing portion of his tail, so he would end up looking like a butchered PRE mare sooner rather than later.

Thoughts?

 

[dominobrown]

My horse had always had his tail with scissors or clippers, but I have recently pulled it properly. He will only let me do a little each day (probably why it was always done with scissors) but it is nearly finished now and looks so much better! I let the hair on the sides grow to about on inch long, taken hair from the sides so it is bald, but leaving the middle long, only removing stray fly-aways. The middle of mine's tail is still a bit short but I havn't cut that with scissors since my friend 'helpful' clipped his tail.

 

[mil1212]

I have nothing much of use to add except to say what a stunning colour your horse is! And what a fantastic tail plait!

I hate pulling tails, and my horses hate them being pulled, so I just do a very little at a time. I have gone lazy and use a tail rake to start it off if the tail is a bit wild. The other thing that helps is those little rubber thimble type things which stationary stores sell for separating paper, they are good for getting a good grip on hairs.

 

[JessandCharlie]

I can't bring myself to pull Len's tail, he has had an accident at some point so about half of his tail is grey and wiry where he's lost the pigment around the scarred bit If I pulled it it would look awful! But OMG! I wish I could plait like you! Amazing!

J&C

 

[SuZQuzie]

Mmmkay, so just let it grow out some and then pull in bald like normal?

Anyone have any idea how long it takes for a pulled tail to grow out in time for a show without the rat tail look?

Luckily, this gelding actually LOVES his tail being pulled and will actually lean into me as I do it. Nerd of a horse!

mil and J&C, thanks. His tail actually has the perfect consistency to take a tight plait, so I'm sure that helps!

 

[Hels_Bells]

There's a great us website if you google Sunday jog up tails it should come up but it's all tips from a former 4star groom and there's a brilliant vid and instuctions on tail pulling amongst others!!