Unusual tail carriage

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woodnymph

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Seen a lovely sec d which has evented up to BE 100 and dressage score in 30s but.. it holds its tail to the right... has been checked by osteopath by current owner and has no concerns .. been like it all its life apparently.. should I be concerned and will this be marked down in m&m whp classes ??

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
 
Ive always been told its a sign of a bad back but have seen a few horses recently like that and they have all been checked and are fine. Dont know about the whp classes though
 
We've got one at our yard who's 28 and has always held her tail to the side when she's moving. She's had a glittering career so it cartainly hasn't caused her any problems.
 
If it's been checked by osteo and he's held it to the side all his life I wouldn't worry... I think it's when they suddenly start holding it to the side when you need to worry about back problems!

Not sure if it will affect placings...he may get marks deducted in the confo phase, I'm not sure.

Hope this helps :)
 
B holds his tail to the left, osteo, vet, physio, saddler have all checked him and nothing! Think it was broken as a baby, and it has just healed wonky!
Never been commented on in dressage etc, not sure about showing, I suspect at county levels you will have marks deducted.
 
one of mine when working holds his tail to the left. never been marked down for it. back/saddle/teeth all fine. jumps well does his job well (whatever job asked of him he is now 18 but been the same since 4 yrs old) rides straight and level, bends well both reins, does lateral work equally on both reins. it is just how he is!! only thing he cant/doesnt do is buck .. he sort of corkscrews. if you are looking to buy this sec D, sounds like he has a comp history just get your vet to do a thorough back exam/flexions when vetting and ask for his opinion. ideally be present at vetting as many things can be discussed, and not loged on his vet report, as the more notes your vet puts on his examination the more chances of exclusions (which would be unnecessary) to any insurance policy you buy.
 
Thanks, are taking him xc at the weekend and am going to ask to speak to the osteo/vet, will keep you posted.

Any worker people out there?.. how would it effect his mark ?
 
I was reading the book 'For the good of the Horse' by Mary Wanless where she talks about this, and how it can often be teeth causing tension down one side when my friend mentioned her new horse held his tail to the right. I mentioned the book and was it teeth, she dismissed it. He'd just had teeth done etc.
Well, 6 months later still holding tail to the side, no physical problems. Booked for dentist who ended up extracting the remains of an old wolf tooth root (that hadn't been cleanly extracted).
Bingo - no more holding tail to the right :) (and no more ears back, grumping around food etc).

Worth a thought?

Trina x
 
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