Penny Stone's Whole Horsemanship

Horse Life from the Whole Picture View

Why get a little when you can have a lot?

I recently read a blog about a Tail Detangling treatment being offered in the Austin area.  The provider detangles every hair and notes what the surface of the tail itself is like where the hairs attach.  The person who wrote about this said that this really relaxed her somewhat nervous horse and the next time she rode the horse the relaxation seemed to still be present. So is this horse training or equine bodywork? Probably neither.

This was very interesting to me as a TTouch Practitioner.  I have included work on the tail in my treatments of horses for many years,  doing Tail Flexions, Tail Rotations and Spinal Tractions.  As a groom and trainer I have taught people in how to remove tangles and keep the tail skin healthy in a way that makes the horse comfortable and relaxed.  I’ve also recommended keeping the tail short enough that it hangs a few inches off the ground, as leaving the tail too long could be very irritating to the horse when it drags on the ground or catches in plants. 

I can see the value of this treatment, but why not go all the way, and learn how to do TTouches,  Tail Flexions and Rotations,  and Spinal Traction.  All of these techniques are part of the TTouch system and affect the horse on a much deeper level.  While the detangling treatment can be useful in producing relaxation, especially for the sensitive or nervous horse, the above mentioned techniques can create a long lasting change in any personality type.    If do –it –yourself is not your style, hiring a TTouch practitioner to provide a complete tail or mane treatment would give you more bang for your buck.

Here are some easy to do treatments for your horse's tail that will improve her well being:

Groom thoroughly and with care.  Start by spraying the tail with a detangling product.  I like Laser Sheen concentrate mixed to directions, then add a tablespoon of hair conditioner to the quart bottle to make a spray that really helps grow a long luxurious tail by preventing breakage. Most prepared sprays contain ingredients that dry the tail out or make it gummy.  Wait for the spray to dry completely before beginning to brush the tail. 

Use only a brush designed for tails, with widely spaced plastic tipped  pins.  Start at the bottom of the tail. Take a section of hair, place it on your leg and brush about 3 to 4 inches of it until it is completely tangle free and the brush glides through it easily.  Do one section at a time moving up the tail till you reach the dock. 

Part the hair on the dock down to the skin and gently but firmly brush each section so that end up brushing the entire dock right down to the skin. This  feels great to most horses and  gives you a chance to look for skin problems and take appropriate action.  You can also separate the hair into small sections by hand and detangle and stroke the hair from the base all the way down to the end. This is incredibly relaxing to most horses. By the time you have finished the brush should slide through the  entire tail top to bottom without tangles. Grooming the tail in this way prevents breakage and stimulates circulation in the dock.

Now for the bodywork:

Tail Flexions;  After you've groomed the tail and the horse is relaxed,  you can take the tail in both hands, with one hand on top and one on the bottom, spaced about 4 inches apart.  Gently, but firmly move your hands in oppostion so that the joint of the tail is slowly and gradually flexed first up and then down.  Start as close to the base of the tail as the horse will allow.  Notice where the tail flexes and where it doesn't. Really take your time and hold the flexion for a few seconds.  This should be like yoga.  You find the stretch point and hold there but do not force the joint to flex more than is comfortable for the horse. Work your way from the base of the tail to the end. If you watch your horse for signs of comfort or relaxation you'll see droopy eyelids, droopy ears, droopy or twitching lips, head and neck lowering, sighing, and deep breaths to name a few.  Your horse may be uncomfortable with it the first few times. If so, go for a little less stretch and hold it for a shorter time.  As with yoga,  each time it is repeated the flexion or stretch can be a little greater.

Spinal Traction; This is one way to do Spinal Traction which can be mastered by most horse owners.  I call it Tail Tension.   Hold the tail with two hands. One hand underneath and close to the base, the other hand on top and holding the hair immediately below the dock.  Gently lift the tail until it is straight out from the spine, in the same line as the spine.  Turn your body sideways directly behind and between the buttocks of the horse and squat a bit so that you are very stable.  Gradually pull the tail, adding tension and feeling for the horse to pick up the pull.  When he does, stop adding tension and just hold. Let the horse pull against you and just match his pressure.  Hold for at least 30 seconds, and as long as a couple minutes if the horse is enjoying it.  Release the tension very slowly over a period of 10 to 15 seconds. Do not drop the tail. Try another Tail Tension. Most horses will be comfortable with three repetitions.  If the horse moves around try going with him,  reducing tension and releasing if necesssary.  This is a partnership exercise.  The idea is not to force him to tolerate it, but to watch his response and provide a pleasant experience which also can improve comfort, gait and performance.

The benefits; Correctly done spinal traction has been shown to decrease pain, and slow joint degeneration, and improve range of motion.  Increased flexibility in the tail can help the horse to move his hind end better – all those muscles and nerves are connected to the muscles of the croup and legs. Do tail work so  your horse can have greater comfort, flexibility, trust and performance.