HORSE TAILMODIFICATIONS

S A M   B E L C H E R

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All information from:Horse Tail Modifications (2012). Journal for Veterinary Medicine.

"Amputation of distal part of boney part of tail"

Used to prevent tail from interferingwith harness & carriage equipment

Improves cleanliness of tail

Cosmetically fashionable in somebreeds

For competitions or shows- Rarely performed on non-draft breeds

Docking

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"Cutting tail tendons to cause an elevated carriage of the tail"

Performed on show breeds

Today only for showing/cosmeticreasons

Will naturally settle back into relaxedposition

Tail sets hold tail erect

Nicking

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"Numbing the tail to cause it to hang limply, usually achieved by injecting alcohol into the tail close to major nerves"

Performed to prevent agitated tail

Performed on horses in Western ridingdisciplines

Uncommon outside the U.S.

Blocking

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