Unless I miss my guess, FEI still does not allow any form of tail alteration in their competitions. These include show jumping, as well as endurance. If you are going to purchase a horse to compete, you might not want to limit the types of competitions you can ultimately participate in.
The vast majority of ASBs are produced in Kentucky, and adjacent states. The numbers on the left coast are quite small, comparatively. The majority of Amish and sales to them, are in the Northeast.
FEI rule I could find read:
GENERAL RULES
FEI CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE WELFARE OF THE HORSE
2. Fitness to compete:
d) Surgical procedures
Any surgical procedures that threaten a competing Horse’s welfare or the safety of other Horses and/or Athletes must not be allowed.
+*
DRESSAGE RULES
ARTICLE 416 THE IMPULSION / THE SUBMISSION
2.1. Putting out the tongue, keeping it above the bit or drawing it up altogether, as well as grinding the teeth or agitation of the tail, are mostly signs of nervousness, tension or resistance on the part of the Horse and must be taken into account by the Judges in their marks for every movement concerned, as well as in the collective mark for “submission”.
ARTICLE 428 SADDLERY
6. False tails/tail extensions are permitted only with the prior permission of the FEI. Requests for such permission should be directed to the FEI Dressage department accompanied by photographs and a veterinary certificate. False tails may not contain any metal parts, (except for hooks and eyelets), or extra added weight.
If you get a ruling from the FEI that a horse that at some point in its’ life had surgery on the tail cannot compete, I would be interested to know.
The USE(F) divisions Dressage, Jumping, Combined Driving, Reining and Endurance do not address tail alteration other than the welfare statement matching the FEI and that in Dressage tail agitation or wringing are faulty.
Several breed divisions have rules, but the Disciplines do not.
I can see where tail carriage would affect judging a Dressage horse, or a Reining horse; not so much in the others.
Realize I do NOT like surgically altered tails; I think they ought to be relegated to history.
That doesn’t change whether or not showing a horse in Sport divisions is legal.
And doesn’t change that buyers also do not like them.
I DO realize that this thread is NOT about tails. However, to follow up the discussion…take a look at these tails, and tell me that this is a reasonable practice. Or, that if these horses transitioned into other lives, that this would not be a major issue.
https://www.facebook.com/HALTequinetailalteration/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
By the way- the photographs were taken at horse shows in Kentucky this past Summer, including Lexington Jr. League- one of the most prestigious shows in the country for American Saddlebreds.
We are sout used to seeing tails like this so the majority of asb people will not see a problem.
[QUOTE=Ladylexie;9045066]
We are sout used to seeing tails like this so the majority of asb people will not see a problem.[/QUOTE]
Yes, but we ASB people are in the minority here on COTH. So, for those who haven’t seen this stuff up close, and personal, it can be an eye opener. :yes:
Since I board at an ASB barn and worked at one for years, can’t say I’ve seen a tail that looks that bad. Just cause they attend “big shows” doesn’t make them the norm or good trainers/caretakers. You just have to pay to play.
I have no problem getting rid of braces, tail cutting (people don’t know how to take of tails anymore anyways, its a dying art). But I don’t think hand stretching and tail sets should be penalized and still allowed. If a horse doesn’t want to be in their set, most can get them off anyways. At least in my experience.
Again. Totally unnecessary.
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