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We posed the following question this week:
Do you think tail blocking should be legal, illegal, or simply left alone?
How prevalent do you think it is?
Do you think breed organizations, such as AQHA and APHA, have been successful in addressing this issue?
what do you think?
In the sea of controversy over tail blocks I understand that the overwhelming sentiment is that tail blocking is inhumane. I have tail blocked young horses who were just starting to be trained and who showed that they would display their resentment by excessive use of their tails. We just used the alcohol block and when the block wore off ( in 6 months or so) the horses had progressed with their training and not developed the ongoing habit of using their tails. I thought it was a benefit to the animal in the long run. I do not believe that the NRHA should go the way of AQHA and APHA, both of whom had serious problems when they attempted to enforce the rule. I believe they should stay out of the issue completely. It appears to me that at the NRHA Futurity many of the open horses have had tail blocks
Lani De Vincentis
I do not think tail blocking should be allowed. The perfect horse can not be made we need to learn to live with the faults and except them in the industry.
Betsy Hardy
I feel it should be illegal. Yes, it can be difficult to prove 100 % but is that a reason to ignore it? It can (and does) have devastating side effects which can at the worst lead to necrosis and loss of a tail. You never see these in the ring. Some day sit and watch a large class of good horse and riders, and determine if you really watch the horses' tails. You might be surprised to notice that after a while you won't really notice the tail movement unless it is extreme. I personally find it sad to watch a class and see so many "dead" tails come in the ring. I have a horse with an"expressive" tail, and I have won alot on him in big classes, I truly think his stops and circles are what are observed.
N. Gulbas
This is an extremely touchy issue. I am not sure how to answer the question of whether or not the NRHA should address it in their rules, especially in light of the fact that I don't think that the AQHA and APHA have been particularly successful in attempting to deal with it. As someone who is stridently opposed to the practice, I think that it is admirable that those two associations have voiced disapproval of tail blocking. However, there are numerous problems with their rules, tests, ect. Thus, having witnessed these problems, I conclude that for the time being, I guess that the NRHA may as well just let the issue alone.
C. M. Henry, CO
I feel that tail blocking should not be allowed in the NRHA. A horse should be judged naturally. Some horses have a tail set that is naturally higher than industry standards, but that is only cosmetic. Others swish and wring their tails when in the ring, showing anxiety, fear or unwillingness. If two horses are tied in ability, should not the horse with the quieter tail win, the horse with the mind to do the job?
Dave Belson
5B Quarter Horse Ranch, AZ
The practice of tail blocking should be ILLEGAL for reiners and all other disciplines and breeds. I will NEVER use tail blocking techniques, the tail is there for a reason on a horse, if you want a tail that doesn't move or react to such things as cues don't show!! This is one of the many reasons I quit showing in the APHA shows a few years back, when the horses you show against don't move there tail with a swarm of insects on there rump I'm pretty sure the tail is BLOCKED, but it is hard to prove for the show representatives or judges. It is one of many things some judges seem to ignore in the rulebook, ie: placing peanut pushers in pleasure classes. My reiners use there tails to swat files, balance themselves, Oh and occasionally swat me as I pass by and that's OK!
Jim Chaney, Colorado
This is an addendum to my previous response. As to the question of the prevalence of this practice, it is revoltingly, appallingly, discouragingly prevalent, and it makes me ill. As I said, I am not sure how the NRHA should approach it, in light of the problems the other associations have had trying to enforce their rules. Even having said that, my personal opinion of the practice is that it is completely deplorable. It should absolutely be stopped. Unfortunately, people find ways to get around practically all rules and regulations, if they really are determined to do so. That is the main reason why I am unsure of what the NRHA should do.
C.M. Henry, CO

left alone.
M. Alderson

I do not think tail blocking should be an issue. I have never done it personally, but I do not think it is cruel. If it helps a horse so a judge would score it more fairly - then what harm would it do?
Steve & Sandy Day
ICR Performance Horses
I am against tail blocking, It is not normal and has devastating side effects to the horse. It is also against the rules in the AQHA and the APHA. If the horse has been improperly trained and wrings or swishes its tail, then that should be taken into consideration by the judge. I think all horses in the class should be bit checked for improper or inhumane bits AND tail checked for blocking just BEFORE each rider shows, then these folks can be DQ before they even show!
Chris Bukowski, Cutting,/reining horse breeder
Definitely, illegal.
There's a point we've got to entirely stop this type of activity. I like the school of thought, most recently read Avila agreed, let's let horses be horses -- first. Think it's still prevalent along with some of the other problems in the industry. Some good work done by AQHA but much, much more to do.
Elaine, Colorado
I think that tail blocking should be illegal. I think that the APHA & AQHA have not correctly addressed the issue, nor have the Judges addressed the issue. I think this practice is very prevalent, especially at the larger competitions. I think that all such issues should be part of any approved Judge's job...to look for & immediately disqualify those horses that have been artificially altered, in any way, shape or fashion. The showing of our horses has become a contest between owners &/or trainers; not between the horses.
KRanchLLC@aol.com
I think tail-blocking is very prevalent and we have seen some pretty devastating after effects from people doing that to their horses...I definitely think it should be stopped. A horse that uses his tail a bit is not offensive....if the horse uses it a lot, maybe the training procedures should be looked at more carefully. Kay Simons, Colorado
From the State of Confusion.......Calif. In re: tail blocking, Ive always considered it an unnecessary thing and rather silly in that it should be considered as uncontrollable as SPP or show pen pooping. In other words, who cares? Have you ever heard of the horror stories of abscesses and infections due to unsterile or careless administrations of blockers? I won't let my horses be blocked and have said to the rider, "if you lose a show due to a swishing tail then we'll talk." Ask a judge, any judge, have you ever judged a show by tail movement? Looking at judging tapes the NRHA makes no comment on swishing. I compare it to the fad of skinny pleasure horses. Calm and cool because they're on the edge of starvation. Much silliness in the horse world. Like for instance a 1500 lb halter horse with 00 shoes. Not long ago people spoke of the versatility of the quarter breed. Show halter in the morning when you weren't sweaty and rope calves or cut in the afternoon. The AQHA Champion qualifications include three categories. They didn't forget versatility.
 Jim Morgenthal, California
I don't know what APHA/AQHA actually are doing about it, but tail blocking is severe abuse of the animal as the he then can't get flies off his body. I think it should be punishable with jail time. There is absolutely NO excuse for it.
Gun-Britt Blomdahl
Lazy B Paint Ranch, Sweden
Previous Weeks' Questions
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