Frequently Asked Questions
Is it important to have a beautiful full tail when I am showing my Hunter horse?
The hunter round is awarded a holistic score based on the overall impression, with 100 being the perfect score. A hunter can gain that half a percentage point through an intrinsic factor of “being a quality animal”. Some horses simply have that extra something that makes them stand out and grab the judge’s eye. It comes through in their overall appearance. In a pinch, that might be the deciding factor. A Spicy Tails Custom Hunter Extension can give your overall appearance that final polish giving you the confidence you are showing your best.
How do I make sure I get the right color match for my horse’s tail?
The most effective way to match a Spicy Tail extension to your horse’s natural tail is to see the horse in person. This is the primary reason we attend horse shows and work with our Distributors to arrange in person visits to the Trainer’s facility. Otherwise, mailing a hair sample from your horse’s tail is another effective way to get a good color match. If you want a tail that is all one color, only one sample will be needed. For a tail that has many colors going through it, a sample from the front, middle and back are needed to get a good match. The samples don’t have to be big, but they do need to be big enough that we can see the colors we need to match. Once you have the samples you can secure them with tape or elastics. Please label the samples front, middle, and back. Photos are also a great help to see how the colors flow through the tail. Mail the hair sample to: Spicy Tails 2545 Countryside Drive, Placerville, CA. 95667. For an appointment, please call 916 759-2153.
How do I determine the length my horse needs for an extension?
Spicy Tails Custom Hunter Extensions come in a standard length of 44-46 inches. On average the Spicy Extension is approximately 6-8 inches longer than competitors to accomodate tall horses. The first time you use the Spicy Extension you or your braider may need to trim the extension to a length suitable for your horse. Generally to trim the extension to the correct length, the top of the extension is placed about two-thirds of the way down the tail bone, and measured from this point to where you want the extension to end, usually at the horse’s fetlocks. The tail extension can be moved up or down by a few inches.
How do I clean the Spicy Tail Extension?
The Spicy Tail Extension is an investment in quality. The extension should only be cleaned when obviously dirty or to remove product build up. Use a quality shampoo and conditioner (sulfate free, color protective). Shampoo and condition the hair below the Material Spine®. Air dry, and lightly spray with Show Sheen. Brush the dry extension (with a loop end brush) gently from the bottom up. The extension is now ready for use. NEVER STORE THE SPICY TAIL EXTENSION WET. MAKE SURE THE MATERIAL SPINE® AND ALL LAYERS OF THE EXTENSION ARE DRY BEFORE STORAGE. STORING THE EXTENSION WET WILL WEAKEN THE GLUE AND RESULT IN MILDEW AND ROTTING OF THE HAIR AND EXTENSIVE HAIR LOSS. AVOID EMERSING THE EXTENSION IN WATER FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME. With proper care, you should enjoy your Spicy Extension for many show seasons.
How do they attach ?
A durable fabric loop is sewn into the top of each tail extension. The loop is then attached to the horse’s tail with a braid (see installation instructions for loop attachment).
How are the extensions constructed ?
We did our research and ultimately designed a highly functional extension built to move naturally and hold up through the rigors of shows over time. Each tail extension is individually hand-blended/handmade of 100% real horse hair. The extensions are meticulously sewn using high grade thread and materials. The Spicy Tails Extension “Material Spine®” consists of 7-9 layers and is patented because of it’s unique functionality. The Material Spine® mimics the horse’s tail bone giving the extension natural movement, flexibility and a low center of gravity to keep the extension in place while in use.