Why do some Paint horses hold their tails up like arabs when running?

Question

Mine does this, but my other QHs do not. Ive only seen arabs and a few paints do this?!

Answer 1

Alot of horses will do this not just though breeds.

Answer 2

a lot of horses do it when they're having fun. my paint mare does it, so does my mom's standardbred.

Answer 3

Tails are held high for balance...a horse usually holds their tail high when playing or showing off because they need more balance to do so.  In some classes, it is not a good thing...horses should be able to perform their working tasks (on the rail and down the center) with good enough balance that they don't need to lift their tails.  If you will notice, a cutting horse, in order to keep up with a cow, will lift it's tail to aid in balance...not because he is excited or feeling good about himself...lots of other events are the same...yet, in the pasture, horses will romp and play and lift their tails...that is not the same as a horse that you are trying to show that goes along the rail with his tail up.  If you want to lessen it, do exercises with your horses that will build it's muscles so that it does have good balance.

Answer 4

Well all horse orignated from the arab so some horses may have a higer count of gene in them also alot of horses do that because its how thei muscle work when their running that prenvents the tail from getting caught in their back legs whe their running!!

Answer 5

all horses lift up their tails when they are moving, its for balance. Arabs just look more obvious when they do it because their body is shaped a bit different in the hindquarter area and croup.

Answer 6

Most every horse will do it when they feel good.  I've seen it in every breed.  But to do it they have to feel good and fiesty and have enough room.

Answer 7

When a horse is very happy or feels good about himself - (like in the showring alot of the time) - a horse will lift his tail to show this.. All breeds can do it - but some more than others, especially arabs.

I think its a nice feature personally.

Some breeders even 'set' the tail higher artificially because it looks good.

Answer 8

In every breed you will find those that carry their tails high.  Paints carry Quarter Horse blood lines, and many have Thoroughbred blood lines.  The three foundation sires of the Thoroughbred are Arabians.  Quarter Horses carry Spanish Barb blood lines, and they in turn carry Arabian Blood lines.  All of my Paints have a high tail carriage, as does my Thoroughbred gelding.  We have just acquired a 1/2 Tennessee Walking Horse 1/2 Paint gelding and he carries his tail very high.