Understanding tail extensions with the help of our friends at Southend Tail Extensions.

Michele Hansen from SouthEnd Tail Extensions took a few minutes out of her busy day to help all of use get a better understanding on tail extensions.  Thank you Michele for your knowledge.  I'm sure we'll all have tons more questions in the future!

 

Here's what Michele had to say:

 

"Tail Extensions have become very popular in the show ring.  Finding the right color or weight might seem like a daunting task but hopefully I can make it easier.

Color matching is as easy as taking a few good pictures of your horses tail.  Take the pictures outside in natural light if you can.  If you have to take the pictures indoors, do it where there is lots of light so the images don’t come out too dark. I like to have a picture of the entire tail from top to bottom so I can see the shape and color.  Then take a picture from the side. To see what is in the middle layers of a tail, fan the tail out.  Sometimes there is a variation of color in the back of the tail so if you see this, take a picture. 

Deciding on a weight for a tail extension takes in a few factors. What kind of shows will you be attending? If you plan on showing at open or 4 H shows then a 1.5 lb tail is probably good enough.  If you plan on going to some  breed shows like AQHA, APHA, ApHC,  then you can use anywhere from a 1.5  to a 2 lb. tail.  If you have a smaller breed horse like a POA or Welsh Pony, I usually suggest a 1 lb. tail so that the tail extension doesn’t overwhelm a smaller horse.

What classes will you be entering? For both Western and English classes, an all around weight would be 1.5 lb. If you like to do halter classes a 2 lb. tail is going to show off your horses hind quarters a little better than a lighter weight tail.

Do you like the layered look of a tail or do you like the blunt end style?  This is where pictures come in handy even if you have a horse with a black tail that doesn’t need to be matched.  If your horse has a short tail chances are that a layered tail is going to blend in better.

Sometimes the weight of a tail comes down to personal preference. Don’t hesitate to ask your fellow exhibitors what they think might look good. 

When customers are ordering a tail, I need to know approximately how tall the horse is.  Or you can also measure from about a third of the way down the tail to where you want the tail to end.

 I always recommend that you try on your tail before a show.  You will be able see where the tail has to go and if you need to trim the bottom so it doesn’t get stepped on when you are backing up."

Check out Michele's website at http://www.southendtailextensions.com.  You can also find her on facebook, Southend Tail Extensions.

 Southend Tail Extensions specializes in custom made tail extensions. The owner, Michele Hansen, lives near Rockglen, Sk., where she ranches with her husband and three children.   She has been involved with horses most of her life and has had the opportunity to show in both English and Western events.