Why Dock a Horse Tail?

Docking traditionally has been performed to prevent the tail of the horse from interfering with harness and carriage equipment. Specifically, if a rein passes under the horse's tail the horse may clamp its tail down and cause the driver to lose control of the horse.

Is it cruel to dock a horses tail?

Even without complications, tail alteration is cruel because it changes the way a horse can use his tail and sometimes prevents him from using it at all. ... In addition to using his tail to swat flies, a horse may clamp it down to protect sensitive, hairless areas from cold winds, and he raises his tail to defecate.

Is tail docking necessary?

A: Tail docking of some breeds may be based on a belief that their non-working members experience risks similar to working dogs; more commonly, however, it is to conform to a distinctive breed appearance or standard. Survey data indicate that preventive tail docking of pet dogs is unnecessary.