b'Equine DETAILING horses tails to the hocks, the fetlocks, orWestern and gaited show horses also any point between.have very specific tail care regimes, I think a banged tail on the back givesincluding the use of tail bags to preserve a matted mess. And when washing thea good, tidy look, but its all personallength and thickness. Tail bags are a tail, pay extra attention to the roots of thepreference, she says. great way to protect tails, but they must hair, on the dock, to check for parasitesBefore cutting a tail, Corcoran remindsbe managed carefully, says Lenher. If and skin problems, says Lenher. riders that a horses tail has a natural lift.you use a tail bag you must check it at The ideal tail length is usuallyTo avoid cutting it too short or crooked,least weekly to air the tail out and keep it discipline-specific, as is any shaping orshe recommends placing an arm underclean and dry, as well as ward off mold.pulling at the top. Corcoran explainsthe tail and running your hands down toFor disciplines that prefer longer tails that event horses tend to have shorter,the point to trim. Ask a helper to safelyor recreational owners who dont com-cropped tails, whereas show huntershold the tail up in a similar fashion sopete, it can be helpful to trim a horse with rarely trim their horses tails to maintainyou can take a step back and make surea naturally long tail just to keep him from a natural look. Jumpers might trim theirits level.stepping on it and breaking the hairs.Less Is MoreArguably, theres nothing more beauti-Dandy Products, Inc. ful than a horse that glistens in the sunlight. Recreational and competitive Padding & Flooring Specialists horse owners alike can achieve that sleek, polished look. It can be tempting to bathe Padding At Its Best a horse weekly and use finishing products Breeding Sheds, Stocks, Stalls, Trailers, Exercise & Training Areas, to add shine, but Corcoran cautions that Induction & Recovery Rooms Table & Surgical Pads, less is more.Neo-Natal Foal Beds I think we oversoap and sanitize horses, Corcoran says. Think about the Non-Slip Safety Floors for All Areas way they live in the wild. Knocking the Pavesafe Bricks & Tiles, Trac-Roll & Vet-Trac Floors, dirt off on a daily basis, especially before Wash Stall,Grooming, Aisleway and Trailer Mats a ride, is all they really need.At a top-level show jumper barn shes Toll-Free 888.883.8386513.625.3000 affiliated with, riders and grooms hose FAX 513.625.2600 horses daily and bathe them every two weeks to preserve the coats natural oils. She also avoids applying silicone-based sprays to horses bodies.(These are) meant for manes and 3314 State Route 131, Goshen, Ohio 45122www.dandyproducts.net tails, she says. Try not to spray them on the body, because they can cause the saddle to slip, says Lenher.Instead, when Corcoran needs a prod-uct to help remove stains or soothe sores, she reaches for witch hazel, a mild astrin-gent that might have anti-inflammatory properties.For horses that are prone to hives, Ill use apple cider vinegar, she adds.Take-Home MessageRoutine grooming and attention to the details contribute to a finished, polished appearance. However, your horses ultra-sleek look starts with good nutrition and parasite control. A healthy coat glistens naturally, while an unhealthy coat will always be dull. Work closely with your veterinarian to develop a ration that sup-ports your horses digestive health and to create a deworming schedule suitable for your horse. Then, just add the finishing touches for an impeccably turned-out horse. h40TheHorse.comTHE HORSE March 2018'