Why the long tail? Its really common in different parts of the world to Dock working breeds tails. Why? To stop them getting tangled in equipment and harness, and to stop the horse from getting its tail over the reins and clamping it down taking the control from the driver. It is also common in show animals for cosmetic reasons. Tail docking is usually achieved by ligature (banding off the tail to stop blood flow until it dies and falls off) or surgery. It actually contains vertebrae and is part