QUESTION: On one of my tests, I had a comment that my horse swished his tail at the halt. How does that affect my score?
Answer submitted by Kerry Petty:
As a judge we look at the horse to see if he is calm, confident, and moving in a relaxed manner. Some natural ways he shows this is a soft expression in the eye, bending joints, mouthing the bit calmly, and the tail lightly swinging from side to side. A swishing tail may be a sign of some resistance to the rider and the rider’s aids. The judge takes it into account and if they continue it can either effect the movement it occurred in or below the line in submission. Normally one time it will not affect the score when a horse swishes the tail, grinds the teeth, pins the ears, etc. all which show some resistance. But if in every movement these things happen your score will be affected. The judge will note it in each box it happens and then review it at the end of the test when deciding the marks below the line.
Kerry Petty
Answer submitted by Sue Hughes:
Perhaps the horse looked tense even if he stood quietly. However, without more information I would not be able to suggest a number. I could guess that the judge went down one point because of the swish/tension.
Sue Hughes