05/02/2026
Another amazing discussion by Equine ConTact CARE - The Horses' Way 🐴❤️
Check out the below post about how important the horses Tail is!
The tail is made up of 17–21 caudal vertebrae and is very much alive with sensory information. It plays a vital role in direction, balance, movement, and the timing of the breath within movement.
At Equine ConTact CARE, we look for the cause behind the effect. Tail impacts are a common contributor to imbalance and instability in the horses we see
We often think of a horse’s tail as a beautiful cascade of hair — something to groom, brush, and plait to perfection. Yet its true role in balance and movement is often overlooked.
The tail is made up of 17–21 caudal vertebrae and is very much alive with sensory information. It plays a vital role in direction, balance, movement, and the timing of the breath within movement.
The very first adjustment the body makes when changing direction begins with the tail. A subtle shift to the left initiates a left turn, allowing the body to balance and stabilise before transitioning again. All six directions of movement are orchestrated through the tail to support balance and coordination.
When the tail is free from pressure, restriction, or torsion, it gently bounces as the horse walks or trots, shifting only when direction changes. This movement is counter-timed with the xiphoid process gliding against the diaphragm, allowing the breath to synchronise with motion — an essential element for speed, agility, and jumping.
A sudden impact to the tail, such as from a float door or a fall, can disrupt this entire balancing system. When this happens, the horse may struggle to balance naturally in one direction, compensate by falling in on the circle, and lose confidence. With the breath no longer timing correctly, refusals and hesitation can follow — not from behaviour, but from the body’s natural stabilising processes being compromised.
At Equine ConTact CARE, we look for the cause behind the effect. Tail impacts are a common contributor to imbalance and instability in the horses we see.
The tail is not just a bunch of hair — it is a rudder for equilibrium through movement
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