Fake Tail Advice - Please don't reply to tell me not to get one

[make x it x so]

Hi, I am looking into purchasing a fake tail for my horse, but I am having difficulties finding one that matches his color within my price range. I would rather spend under $200 for a tail, but I also want the option of returning it if it doesn't match. When I contacted smartpak about the Trophy Tails, the one that might match my horse's tail was ~$170 non-refundable.

My horse's tail is black (he's bay) but it definitely has some red highlights from sun bleaching and from his natural coloring. All of the "black" tails I have seen are jet black, which I think would stand out in my horse's tail. The special order from Smartpak is 50/50 sorrel and black, which to me sounds like too much sorrel hair. I think my horse's tail is probably more like 80/20 or 90/10 black and red, if that.

Is a black tail with red highlights really that uncommon? Or will the solid black tail match because it's underneath anyway?

As I mentioned in the title, I am not looking for peoples opinions on whether or not I should get a tail, just where to look to get one that matches. Also, I would like a tail with the loop attachment, not the knob because my braider does not like the knobs.

[shawneeAcres]

I order tails from www.theshowpen.com they have a black that is "natural" not jet black (they also have jet black) and have several options as far as "connections" length and weight. I like the "wrap around" style, it hangs VERY naturally. Prices are very reasonable in my opinion. Just bought a "natural black" extension, 35" long, 1/2 pound tie in (not wrap aroudn, theya re a little more expensive) as a present for a student of mine for $66 including shipping! I have three tails from them and all are excellent quality and cannot be ditinquished from a natural tail (wrap around style) they also work well when braiding

[Dirty Little Secret]

I recently inquired about buying one from my braider. She said there were two colors of black, one jet and one much more natural looking. I opted for the natural looking, loop attachment. My gelding has a few gray strands and some red from bleaching. She suggested that if it really bothered me that I could dye some of the tail myself for considerably less than buying a special order tail and questioning the match. Turns out it's not needed cause mine looks great! Was $100!

[TheOneandOnly]

I know absolutely nothing about fake tails other than that we make fun of them when we spot them. But I won't put down your idea to get one.

Have you thought about dyeing those bleached hairs? I did it for my bay's tail right before a few of our big shows and it looked lovely. Just regular people black dye from the pharmacy. Might solve your jet black dilemma..?

[Lkramer]

I would recommend dying your horses tail black. It looks so nice when it is done. I use the cheapest hair dye possible and dye the whole tail.

[FrenchFrytheEqHorse]

A few things (and I'm not going to say don't get a tail)...

1. You're not going to get a super high-quality tail for less than $200. Period. A passable one, yes, but a nice, high-quality tail is not going to happen in that price range. I am not familiar with smartpak's "trophy tails", but have hung dover's comparably priced product, and it's pretty bad.

2. The reason none of the black tails have red highlights is that most show horses wearing fake tails don't have bleached real tails. If I were you, I'd stop worry about addressing the issue of finding a tail with red highlights and start addressing the issue of your horse's bleached out tail. Or just get a black tail because depending on the severity of his tail's discoloration, it's going to look just fine.

Most important, though, is getting a good fake tail. Nothing worse than one that's hung incorrectly or poorly made. It's like a bad toupee.

[SkipChange]

I would recommend dying your horses tail black. It looks so nice when it is done. I use the cheapest hair dye possible and dye the whole tail.

My old trainer always dyed tails on the show horses (every one was dark bay). I know some people are very concerned about using chemicals on their horse. I have considered coloring mine's tail but a) I would be scared he would end up with a black booty and no socks (he is very bright red bay with socks on both hinds) and b) he is a jumper so it doesn't matter as much. Sorry not too much help to the OP, I'm glad you're taking the time to get a well matched tail.

[Alterrain]

Who is your braider? I would ask him/ her. It will be more than $200 (mine was $275, he is just a regular bay horse) but it will match. and it will be the right thickness/ length. and it will have the hanging mechanism that they prefer. And tails last forever. If something happens to this horse, you can always pass it on to your next horse/ friend/ barnmate. Especially a natural black tail.

[ExJumper]

Get your braider to hook you up. My lady mixed a BEAUTIFUL chestnut tail for me. She really did a great job and took her time mixing it and it looked AMAZING.

I would get one from your braider. It'll be worth the extra money to have one that matches, and she'll be able to show you how to install it.

[Tha Ridge]

Ditto the braider recommendation. That's by far the best way to go.

Your second best option is http://www.theshowpen.com/. The natural loop attachment is most common for hunters and they have a natural black color that looks good on horses without jet black tails.

[showmom858]

I agree with whoever said you should get your braider to help find one for you. My DD's chestnut has lots of colors in his tail and our braider did an amazing job finding a beautiful tail that is a perfect match and was only $180.

[Renae]

I would recommend dying your horses tail black. It looks so nice when it is done. I use the cheapest hair dye possible and dye the whole tail.

I agree, but IMO don't use the cheapest dye just because it is the cheapest- go to a beauty supply store and ask which brand they most recommend for using on coarse Asian hair, beauticians that I have worked with in the past with dyeing tails have found that horse hair reacts to the dye most like Asian people's hair.

Then take better care of your horse's natural tail so that it doesn't get sun bleached. Braid it up and keep it wrapped with vet rap, only take it down to wash it no more than every 2 weeks, and always hand pick it, never use a comb or brush. Do that for the winter and see if in the spring you don't have enough hair that you don't even need a switch.

Then if you do need a switch get a normal black one- don't seek out a custom switch to match your horse's sun-bleached tail, ick.

[make x it x so]

I agree, but IMO don't use the cheapest dye just because it is the cheapest- go to a beauty supply store and ask which brand they most recommend for using on coarse Asian hair, beauticians that I have worked with in the past with dyeing tails have found that horse hair reacts to the dye most like Asian people's hair.

Then take better care of your horse's natural tail so that it doesn't get sun bleached. Braid it up and keep it wrapped with vet rap, only take it down to wash it no more than every 2 weeks, and always hand pick it, never use a comb or brush. Do that for the winter and see if in the spring you don't have enough hair that you don't even need a switch.

Then if you do need a switch get a normal black one- don't seek out a custom switch to match your horse's sun-bleached tail, ick.

Thanks for the advice. I personally do not wish to dye my horse's tail because I don't like using chemicals like that on my own hair, but appreciate the suggestion nonetheless. As for tail care, I am very careful with brushing/etc. and my horse had a nice tail until we did the Hampton Classic, had it braided twice with in a week, and all of his hair fell out (exaggeration of course, but his tail became drastically thinner). He is a sensitive TB so just about anything makes his hair come out.

This fall, we are also showing at The Big E and possibly Zone II Finals (we're first on standby list), and I would prefer to not show with a skimpy tail.

I will not braid it/tail bag it because he is really sensitive to flies and cannot wear a fly sheet because of the rubs that they cause on his shoulders (did I mention he's a sensitive TB?).

His tail is not horribly sunbleached, and I do not show on the A - Circuit so I do not see a need for making him uncomfortable for the few big shows we do each year. I think I will try the natural tail on Show Pen, thanks to all who had suggestions!

[Renn/aissance]

My horse has a sunbleached tail with gray hairs (he decided at one point he wanted to grow up to be a roan, but at the moment is unsure) and I used one of Dover's $90 tails. It matched well enough for me to take him around the A circuit with it in, and I was pleased with the quality.

[Plumcreek]

The black Schneiders tail (www.sstack.com) I ordered did have natural brownish highlights at the ends. I returned it because my horses do have jet black tails.

Instead of a tail bag, I cut the toe off a long tube sock, braid a small section of tail hair up high, and sleeve the unbraided tail with the tube sock, tying with a shoelace to the small braided section. It keeps the tail from pulling out without snarling it or restricting fly swatting.

[bdbeitel]

I show on both the AQHA and APHA circuits (we are fake tails galore, lol). I bought tails from tailsource.com and could not be happier. You can always check-out tacktrader.com as well as the Pleasure Horse Forum for used tails. I spent about $100 on my tail from Tail Source is was natural black and matched my bays tail perfectly it was 1 1/4lbs in weight, their customer service is excellent as well. I also purchased a custom tail through customtails.com. They also delivered an excellent custom made product but it was pricey due to the color.

[Dirty Little Secret]

what about this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/BLACK-SORREL-3-4-lb-44-Hide-horse-tail-extension_W0QQitemZ380159148262QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ LH_DefaultDomain_0?

[ExJumper]

You do not want an AQHA tail. They are totally different styles. Hunter tails are shorter, tapered, and natural looking. Breed show tails are very heavy, very thick, and very blunt.

Seriously -- go to your braider. It'll be worth the extra money to get a tail that you KNOW will match, that you KNOW will be high quality, and that you KNOW will have a manner of installation that your braider can teach you how to do.

[LH]

Get a tail from your braider - it will match the best, and be the most natural for attaching into the tail. My braider will make a tail that can be worn without braiding the tail down, so it's nice to wear on days when I don't have an under saddle class.

The price will be around $200 to $250 - you'll have it forever, so the investment is worth it.

[arielise]

I swear by tailsbyjill.com and her ebay store. She is great. and wonderful prices.

[ExJumper]

Get a tail from your braider - it will match the best, and be the most natural for attaching into the tail. My braider will make a tail that can be worn without braiding the tail down, so it's nice to wear on days when I don't have an under saddle class.

The price will be around $200 to $250 - you'll have it forever, so the investment is worth it.

Yes to this. My tail does NOT require a tail braid to be installed. It looks great and natural tied in on normal days.

Also, you may not have to may this much. I think my chestnut tail was under $200 ($170, maybe?). This was a few years ago, but usually black (and chestnut) tails are cheaper than white tails. A white tail would DEFINITELY run you upwards of $250 I'd say.

[bascher]

Yes to this. My tail does NOT require a tail braid to be installed. It looks great and natural tied in on normal days.

Also, you may not have to may this much. I think my chestnut tail was under $200 ($170, maybe?). This was a few years ago, but usually black (and chestnut) tails are cheaper than white tails. A white tail would DEFINITELY run you upwards of $250 I'd say.

Same with my tail..it does not require a formal braid so I can put it in even if I don't want a braid. However, my horse's tail has gotten EXTREMELY thick recently (yeah!!) so it doesn't get much use outside of super big shows.

[AmandaandTuff]

Try to see what you can find used. I bought a natural black tail for $70 used. I had to have it shortened and tapered, but the cost was low enough. It's a 1/2 lb and I should have gone with a 1/4 lb, but it's nice for the price. Three braids and it's in.

[FraggleRock]

are tails necessary at bigger shows? would you actually be marked down if your horse had a thin tail?

just curious!

[luvs2ridewbs]

It just enhances the look. It can make a not so pretty horse suddenly look a bit more attractive.

[mypaintwattie]

I have been very happy with my tail from the show pen- I purchased from them at the recommendation of a gal at my barn who shows on the A circuit. The price was very reasonable, the customer service was outstanding, shipping was quick, and the tail is beautiful and matches my mare's mixed color tail perfectly. I have the knob style 1lb. extension, but I show open and APHA, the natural loop works well for the hunters who braid. That will be my next investment.

[BridalBridle]

No matter what condition (including huge and bushy) mine get a fake tail. I get my braider to find one that matches perfectly. She takes a few small hairs and has one made. I have a standard black, chestnut, grey etc for all to hold me over temporarily.

[Mukluk]

I guess I will always be just to retro to ever go with a fake tail. Perhaps they should divide show classes into Au Natural and Fakie? Just a thought.

[dauntless]

Any tips for a white/ mostly white hunter tail? Our local tackshop has quoted me an insane amount of money.