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BREAKING NEWS
Don't forget... this Saturday... Cutting Fest starts at noon, check here for updated points
Our next show is confirmed on August 14th, Check here for more info
Some Exciting News for 2009 click here
The Equine Informant
April 18, 2009
A Tail of Two Horses
Almost everyone knows what they like in a horse. If they do not, they can recognize favorable traits when they see them. Here is an example. There are two horses side by side, when looking at them they have similar qualities. Same size, same color, pretty eye and head. The one thing they do not have in common is the tail.
How important is a long full beautiful tail? If surveyed I am sure the majority of us would prefer the long thick well groomed look. Of course we would, but what if the horse we raised and trained for competition was lacking in the hair department. We could assume that the discipline we are involved in does not judge a horse by its tail.Or does it?
We will take cutting horse competition as our example. One horse in the class prepares to enter a herd of cattle with a full thick long tail. The second horse has a thin, short, bobbed look as it prepares to go to the herd. Now the judge is not supposed to put emphasis on this issue, but first impression of these two horses cannot help but be favorable to the horse with the tail. I know the run content should have nothing to do with an undersized hair do.
If any of you have watched the NCHA big money events, did you take notice of the tails? In years gone past, some emphasis on good grooming and genetics occurred, but most horses were not that lucky. Now they all have long full tails! It seems that the tail does matter as most of the cutting horses are toting a long thick one.
The tail now is part of the cutting culture that is almost as important as a pair of chaps. The behind the scenes at the futurity showed selected stalls or areas for building a tail. I witnessed two procedures for the instant results desired.Both are color selected horse hair attachments. They can be installed by hot wax, or a weave. Both ways provide great results. The classic straight cut on the ends provide a fuller look.
The length of time involved varies. So does the amount of money you may have to spend. On the average a tail can cost between 100 to 500 dollars. The time for installation depends on the stylist. My experience was less than an hour. If well cared for the tail can lasts up to a month.
So you may still question what is the influence of a short or long tail? Cutting horse rules do not mention any weight to be put on tail substance. Then why are so many cutters spending the money? I do not have the answer except we all like long tails, and maybe first impressions while walking to the herd in competition
gives the cutter a razors edge.
M. Howard
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A special congradulations to Julie Zimmerman for bringing the NCHA Days trophy home. She won the 2000 Limit Rider class marking a 74 Saturday, riding her mare Holly Biltoft. They came back on Sunday with a 71 for 2nd place and the overall win. Her daughters came down with her to support her.
