Eugh tail-docking

[Hevz2001]

As you can see from my signature, I think tail docking is very cruel. Be it horse dog or any other animal! I was appalled to read that in france, and probably other countries, they still use tail docking "to stop the reins rubbing against the dock when driving". I think this is awful- the tail is the horses best defence against flies...not to mention the agony they must go through during the procedure!
Their reason does make sense, but surely there is another way! Does anyone here drive? did you have a probem with the reins? How did you over-come it and what are your opinions on tail-docking?

[CrazyfurAnimals]

Even though I'm not exactly sure about what it is, I don't agree with it. Just the thought of 'tail docking' sends shivers down my back. I know its popular for rottweilers (dogs) to get their tail docked, but I'm not sure if its because of medical reasons or just for the 'looks' that some people like. If its just for the looks, then I think it should be banned.

[K&K]

i think it is unnecessary pain & discomfort for the horse ... my friend has a horse with a docked tail (his previous owner had it done), and she had to make a tail extension out of baling twine for him to fight the flies during the summer :(

[Ikon]

I used to drive, never had docked or even short tails. Started one welsh stallion in harness had the lovliest long tail. Never had a problem

[Wally]

What an absurd excuse! reins don't rub on tails when you drive. not even with hugh tailed Hackneys.

Tail docking is not the only "abuse" horses suffer. Some American breed fashion is for tail "nicking" which causes the tail to be held un-naturally high. Some breeds are shod with excessively long feet to accentuate the action.

Some shown Natives in GB are kept rugged even in the height of the summer "to keep their coat thin and sleek"

[Rachel C.]

Euughh! It gets shivers going down my spine just thinking about it! I can't see how anyone could even consider removing somehitng which is not anly beautiful, but is the horses natural fly protection, and incresases warmth in the winter. It's so unfair!

[Hevz2001]

So if that reason is rubbish, then why do they do it? Please don't tell me its for fashion because thats sick.

[Aly]

Tail docking for any animal is cruel. 99% of dogs with docked tails are done so because it is a standard of the particular breed, or just because thats what the owner or breeder wants. Many puppies die from shock as a direct result of this procedure. I spent a week at my local vet once, doing work experience and a woman brought 5 puppies in to have their tails docked. They were only a few days old, and sadly two of them died. You know what this breeder said. "Just chuck em in the bin". Some people should never ever be able to have animals.

Good news is that a small number of breeders, certainly in Australia, have made moves to stop it and it is now more common to see Rotti-s, Pinschers etc with waggily tails. It is every bit as discusting as the practices of ear clipping of dobermans in the US, but that is another matter yet again.

Polo horses have their tails "tied up" to prevent the polo sticks catching in them. It only takes a few minutes, and the horses get to keep their lovely natural fly repellent, once the game is over.

Why is this so hard for "harness enthusiasts" to do? Why take away one of the horses defense mechanisms, and use such pathetic excuses as reason for it?

Next time you see a harness horse with docked tail, you oughta go cut the ponytail off the woman handling it. Would cause a few heads to turn I am sure. In the case of the handler being a man, well someone else can come up with something for that....:D

[MadWoman]

Thanks goodness the docking of any animal is illegal in this country.

[Jan P]

Hi all.

This is a subject close to my heart as well. I have a half write article about the docking of horses tails but I need more information to finish it. I have tracked docking back to the army in the 18th Century when they also use to cut off the horses ears as well. I have one reference saying it stated in the army but I need more information.

If anyone has any quotes or passages from books, they would be gratefully received as this seems to have turned into a personal quest to find out the real reason why docking started.

Finally I did not realise docking was still practiced, are horses docked under general anaesthetic?

[Fifteenbobber]

I found this on another message board - could not figure out how to read it all in one go. Made my blood boil how can people do that to horses?

In Reply to: Re: docking percherons tails posted by Barb A. on February 26, 2002 at 21:05:22:


We have recently bought our first pair of percherons. Their tails have not been docked. Would like to show them in local fairs(halter classes). they are 8& 9 months old. Is it too late to dock their tails and how do you suggest it be done? Person we bought from suggest wrapping tightly until part falls off. Any good advise appreciated.

: Iwould just like to thank Heather and Docker both. We have decided to leave the tails long. I care too much for the two of them to put them through either procedure. Thanks again!!

Barb,


This is a decision I would not hesitate to tell you to think about.
There are reasons to dock, and reasons not to.

There is a safety factor involved in long tails, I do know most hitch drivers will not drive a horse with a long tail.
I also know of a shire who has learned to swish his tail and clamp the buggy lines under his tail, much to his owners dismay!! It is a dangerous habit.

This docking procedure has been cussed and discussed on many a bulletin board, all with no clear winner emerging.

We dock all of our foals and after years of "banding" the tail we have found it a lot quicker and more sanitary to just let the vet surgically do them.

I do know of older foals and horses getting "docked" surgically with no ill effects.

The nice thing about long tails of course is the "flyswatter" capacity. However hair on a docked tail can get pretty long also.

And if you cut the hair on a long tailbone to just above the hocks, which is what I did with my longtailed gelding,
you have really not accomplished much. You have removed the flyswatter and still have the long tailbone to contend with.

We have had both docked and undocked horses and we prefer docked tails due to safety, and sanitary reasons, especially with fillies or mares.

[Wally]

I have driven pairs and singles, both long , free flowing tails and manes, the longer and showier the better.

Never have I found tails to be a problem. I do, however stallion plait manes to stop damage from the reins running through the terrets. Only while messing about, for shows it is full, fluffy mane and tail and as much as possible.

How do you think they managed in Shetland with working ponies with the tail Shetlands get? Fjords have lots of tail, no fashion for docking there. Haflingers, never see them docked!

I cannot find a single reson to cut through a horse's spine that hold water.

[Katie_85]

Unfortunately, Wally is correct about tail nicking. It was done to a horse at the stable where I ride. It was done before he got there I belive. Anyway, when you would cue him to a faster gait, (he was gaited) his tail would flip and smack you in the back of the head! Due punishment for the brutes who did it if you ask me.
I didn't apreciate it much though! :D