![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4P1JiHedIbRrr4G4JJ2gGC7AxXjtqBJsp6levhYD5yP5ZZjRQOeNwpIhdhUwmnH19HiY3WrwwXzIqPsDwna5_wyN5yJk0euT8v6oyoQ0djow257O_UhtpIw3Qp158j9KImbVuYjH8H3nz/s320/TailLadys.jpg)
Swishing - (not at flies) Angry, extremely aggravated or total happiness/euphoria.*
Flagged - Extreme fear (when running) or utter delight (together with a head bob while trotting/prancing in circles or other patterns; a full-body celebration).**
Clamped - Fright (usually precedes a kick; they may just drop their derriere and scoot) or if feeling cold and/or wet.
* Visit our website and watch the video clip of Blue Horse Matinee on our Horse Heroes page to see some of those happy swishes in action :o)
**Some breeds have a higher tail set (see Lady's photo, above) and consequently offer a more intense version of the "flag". Both Bella and Shadow's tails will flip all the way upside down at these times (there is a photo of this further down).
Casual vs. Clamped
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRvkSg1klymJUUde7OZ5k6agAD9SYchegdvtN-ReTY_ytTMGWfA4ScGmEFUqHLHWgMiBL329eb82SpiZ5dvlFavxvsmUAi7JD7KS1kXz73nNQs5nO8l9v8jDV40H0fAV8VGSCAyeEsmhx/s400/Tail+Compare.jpg)
Comparing The Tail Set
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRwlBpiiTDN8MCzCY3uqc-pPanHog7coJgTZIC5bhtFaqxVPAXQC5ubxm3opNBi1SNMXUcNi0r_X_R4Qt1QgvALmG4tmzNKQ0jANHdt4O9h0BfR5Mw8hiJT5rTHtqWAn_8AmblJgbWcj6/s400/Tail+Set+Compare.jpg)
Tail Torquage: How High Will it Fly?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfHfS1YFNIFjWaMp_jQm-oxpXQLLcsEOCt9UV1CwCMyfqt4Z5eFww1XyGOJOwJlXuDtqir9OMmFdk2ZrO3f1_ohY4COodL74_X5grGwrwjsxWkr4Bx7N23xJrfd68TtFEkJE_CneinYpo/s400/Tail+Flipped.jpg)
This photo shows a horse with his tail flipped completely over. Two of our horses; Shadow (a Tennessee Walker), and Bella (an Arabian), do this. Actually, I have been known to tell all of our horses not to get their tail in a twist over things (when asking for calm :o)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSToaUtGRNADFwAulx9N4ynbreM-3txFSNbpJJhfbrcgmXgwLzCJD1rUAq602vvFoGeuOhVmG9o2LX8enrBNMmXpVTHC9lLndRwVmjCrk44xSINU3aXgyIi4bUZMAKeoD3-MYvYxU146j/s400/NostrilsPinchedUse.jpg)
Looking at the photo on the right, note the pinned ears, pinched nostrils and tucked chin of this horse. It is easy to tell by looking at these things that she is angry.
When you add in the tail as an exclamation point, however, you can see that this mare is not merely angry she is LIVID.
Next up: Practice putting it all together with some more sample photos :o)
Awesome tutorials, you ROCK! I simply don't have any more nice words for you that I haven't already used, you are that good :D
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for more (I'm addicted, can you tell??)