IVE GIVEN UP ON THE TAIL GROWTH. MY REINER WAS BORN WITH A SHORT TAIL STOPPING AT THE BONE. SO I AM LOOKING INTO THE EXTENTIONS. ANYONE KNOW WHICH ARE BETTER? THEY HAVE THE SLIDE ON/WRAP AROUND ONES. DOES ANYONE GLUE THEM IN?
Posted 2006-01-04 7:30 PM (#34910 - in reply to #34894) Subject: RE: TAIL EXTENSIONS
Regular
Posts: 63
Location: Missouri
I'm not sure what the regulations are for putting in an extension for other breeds, but in the Saddlebred industry we use "switches" all the time. That's standard, expected and legal. Switches are very easy to put on once you get the hang of it. You separate the hair right at the middle of the bone, wrap friction tape around the bone to give a nice "shelf", then you take the switch and it wraps around the tape and a shoe string ties around above the shelf to keep the switch in place. Of course, its very important to remove the switch immediately after showing so that the tail can regain blood circulation. Check into your local saddlebred training facilites to find someone who can give you a demonstration. Attached is a link to a reputable seller of switches
Posted 2006-01-05 9:03 AM (#34941 - in reply to #34894) Subject: RE: TAIL EXTENSIONS
Expert
Posts: 1719
Location: PA
I show AQHA and use and make tail extensions all of the time. There are all different types but some work better and are easier to do than others. Anything that is attached to the bone, including tape, is illegal by AQHA standards. For a horse like yours that has a short (and thin??) tail, the 3 section method is the most natural way. If you get 1 pound of hair and just attach it in one lump, it will really look fake on a horse like yours. Separating that pound of hair into 3 separate pieces will hand much better. It takes a little more effort to put in but it just is much better. Many people attach the extensions with a braid. I find that method tedious and time consuming. My method uses braidette rubber bands to hold the extensions in. Also, matching the hair color is very important! I hope you own a sorrel with normal colored sorrel tail hair or a bay because those are the cheapest colors. Any tail that has flaxen or white can get very expensive because those colors are not as common.
Posted 2006-01-05 4:10 PM (#34976 - in reply to #34894) Subject: RE: TAIL EXTENSIONS
Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK
I agree with hav. ON the really thin tails I have used what looks like a hide section(?) it's not a switch because on those types of horses it won't move naturally because you have no hair to hide the obvious addition. The hide types attach is three places and lay flat against the tail bone and the hair looks like it comes from the horse itsself. I have found the switch types to be more useful in adding to a long thin tail but not in the creation of one.
I got a hide type at Seargents and it comes with a video showing you how to tie it in so it snuggles up next to the tail bone.
(I am talking about AQHA showing...she was asking about a little reining horse.)
Posted 2006-01-06 8:25 AM (#35004 - in reply to #34976) Subject: RE: TAIL EXTENSIONS
Expert
Posts: 1719
Location: PA
The only problem I have with the hide tails is that they have tapered bottoms. While that is fine for the hunter world, it's best to go with a blunt cut for almost all AQHA classes.
Posted 2006-01-06 5:58 PM (#35035 - in reply to #34894) Subject: RE: TAIL EXTENSIONS
Member
Posts: 45
Location: Midwest
Anybody wanna take the time to get me a list of cheap horse tail extention websites?? i need a cheap one that is either black or black with grey hairs. i dont have all that fancy money to put away on such a little thing.
Posted 2006-01-07 8:56 AM (#35056 - in reply to #35035) Subject: RE: TAIL EXTENSIONS
Expert
Posts: 1719
Location: PA
Black (not dyed to make it REALLY black) and normal sorrel are the least expensive for me to make if they are just the normal 1 lb'ers. I charge between $100 and $120 plus shipping for them, depending on the length. Anything with gray, white or flaxen hairs makes the price go up because of the rarity of the hair color.