RE: Crooked Tails

["Kathy Mayeda" <kathy_mayeda@atce.com>]

A lot of Arabians travel with a wry tail.  Both of mine do, whether
they are experiencing back pain or not.  I read somewhere that
a lot of these wry tails can be traced back to Skorownek (sp?).
They both have the same sire, and they look kinda cute walking
together because their tails cock the same way.  They have
1/4 Crabbet in them and definitely have the Skorownek there.

My endurance horse has had a similar injury pattern as your first
horse.  But we finished pretty well in our first 200 AERC competition
miles last year. I think his tail is still crooked, but I don't
spend too much time looking behind when I'm riding!!!  When he
gallops over the hill when I turn him back out his tail is
DEFINITELY crooked, though.  We also treated with chiropractic
and accupuncture to return him to soundness.

K.


-----Original Message-----
From: Laura Hayes [mailto:mark@madbbs.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2001 10:57 AM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: Crooked Tails


Years ago I started a horse in endurance training who fell (in hand)on
wet grass with his hind end under him.  He exhibited classic back pain
and eventually atrophy of his left hind muscling from the top of his
butt to his pin bone when viewed from the back.  After the injury, I
worked this horse on and off for more than 18 months using acupuncture
and chiropractic (the latter having to endure the cynicism of my very
traditional vet husband).  At any rate, I traded him to a pleasure
riding home and ended up with the wild child I have now, who while not
as safe, at least is sound. 
 
My question:  the first horse developed an offset tail after his injury.
He had always carried his tail straight before the fall.  Just recently
I have noticed my current horse (have ridden him on an off for four
years), now in consistant training, is carrying his tail off to the side
when being ridden.  He appears absolutely sound and happy.  We have been
riding four times a week, mostly walk and jog for 5-10 miles a session.
He shows no lamesness or back pain.  His saddle seems to fit well.  I
have trained and ridden distance horses for 20 years and never had this
happen, though I am 20 pounds heavier than I used to be, I am fairly
sure I am riding balanced.
 
Has any one had experience with crooked tails, especially when relating
to injury?  Or do you think it is just coincidence and my current horse
is responding to being legged up better than he ever was before.  He is
13, absolutely as symetical as a horse can be, 15.2 and 'sturdy'.  He is
a Bay Abi and Alladdin  grandson (to give you an idea of his build).
 
Laura Hayes
AERC #2741