The Smoothest Ride ... Tips, Articles, and Stories For The Paso Fino Horse Enthusiast
Paso Fino Natural Tail Massage
What can I do to train my horse's tail for a beautiful and natural look for the show ring? Many people want to show their Paso Finos with the "international" look of the tail, but want it totally natural and legal. Some horses are difficult to massage, others are great. Some have very stiff basically "unmassageable tails", others will show improvement within a few days. It just depends on the horse.
Natural tail massaging steps:
- First comb the horse's tail out.
- Part the tail down the center as per a “show” look.
- Put baby oil in the part and then comb that out through out the tail before starting the massage.
- Grab a strand of hair to hold the tail with (from the very end of the tail bone)
- Press on the tail in a downward motion, kind of stroking from the tail head to the tip of the tail bone, while holding the strand of hair at the end, to tip the end up.
- Do this from both sides, to keep the tail even, it should be done daily too. Twice daily is even better.
- When you get done with the massage, you can grasp the tail bone (about 4" from the end and pull the tail down, while bending gently where your hands are -- bend the end straight out).
*Thanks to Carol Todd, Larimar Paso Finos, Canada for this information on Paso Fino natural tail massaging.