[Jayne1966]

The tail has been docked

[Miss Neigh]

percherons have the most gorgeous thick tails when left undocked much like the Clydesdale, Freisan and Andalusian tend to have thick mane's and tails, if he was mine i'd keep his tail undocked and just wrap it up when pulling but i suppose this is what judges like when showing percherons?

[Bodi]

Finally. Photos. I take forever.

[Klaycock]

He is just adorable, and looks SOOO black right now Think his knees will straighten up? He's gunna be a looker for sure!

[Bodi]

Docked, you are correct. Not my favorite project, but I'm not so fun on anything like that. We dock them longer so that while the tail bone is short, it's still plenty long enough to grow tail hair to swish flies. I hate nothing worse than a horse docked too short. My mare Wixom is and I have to make her a fake tail yearly to help her with the flies.

I've seen some cases of drafts though where the hair is excessive and you end up with broken crests. I like the fairytale horse and then at the same time I don't. I guess it's like if you prefer long haired dogs... more care.

As for showing there are many things they prefer, however no rule books to my knowledge. Nothing that says it is a requirement. It goes partly for tradition and the way it has always been done. A horse that is probably ever going to go anywhere in the show world is most likely expected to have a docked tail, just as they are expected to be presented a certain way and wear the prefered shoe. Every judge is different. Some may be more leniant, but so far I have not ever been told this personally. I plan on docking all my foals, but it'll be done right.

My other two mare's due in June. Sheri the 13th.


Wixom the 11th.



No regards to color or colt or filly. Just want two healthy foals and momma's. Wixom will be having a half sibling to Zeke.

[Bodi]

His knees.. I think they will. I have a feeling it wasn't exactly comfort inn inside of momma at his size. I can't imagine that his tendons wouldn't straighten out.. otherwise I have no clue where it came from. Both parents are impressive as far as the leg department goes. No over at the knees, pidgey toes, straight pasterns... If anything I'd like to see a little cleaner tighter hock on both of them, but they are not horrid.

I admit his knee's are my biggest and only worry with him. It's a egads thing, but I keep telling myself be patient. He's 6 days old and these are not light horse babies. It's hard not to be a concerned parent.