Before I explain the practice of cutting Saddlers' tails, let me state for the record that I do not cut tails or have tails cut in my yard.

Saddle Horse tails may be cut to assist in freeing their hind quarters as explained in the round table discussion on tail setting. The ­procedure is quick and simple. The horse is firstly lightly sedated. He is then given a ­local anaesthetic into the lateral ventral ­sacro-­caudal muscle. Once the anaesthetic is in effect, a small ­incision is made into the lateral muscle and it is “cut”.

The size of the incision is about 3 mm. The ­result is a freed-up tail, which can move in any direction, left, right, up, down, round or swish. The cutting of the tail does not involve any breaking of bones or cutting of ligaments as assumed!

The horse is aided with anti-inflammatories and antibiotics to ensure maximum health and safety. The skin incision normally heals and seals within 2-5 days. The horse needs to be put in a tail set or have his tail “worked” (hold the tail at its base and push the tail up and down every day for a few minutes) to ensure the snipped muscle stays flexible. A cut tail can grow back if this is not done daily. Note that, as I am not a vet, this is my own ­interpretation of the process.

My opinion of cutting tails:
I am of the opinion that cutting tails is a relatively small procedure. The real work starts after the tail has been cut. ­Cutting the tail of a Saddle Horse remains a choice, made by owner and trainer. It is, however, against my personal ethics to cut tails, just as pole wrapping in show jumping would be.