شقّ عضلات الذيل (لرفعه): the law by country

Ill treatment unless a veterinary surgeon has certified in writing that it is necessary for the control of disease. The Animal Welfare Act 2025 (SA), not in operation on 2026-11-04, will repeal these regulations when it starts.

Cutting tail muscles or tendons, or any operation altering natural carriage. A registered veterinarian may operate when necessary for the horse's health or to effect the natural carriage of its tail.

Cutting tail muscles or tendons to set the tail up: fine up to $250. Section 79B bars showing such a horse unless the owner swears it was cut where that was legal.

Misdemeanor to operate on the tail to alter its natural carriage. Showing such a horse is a misdemeanor unless an affidavit says the cutting predates June 1, 1964 or was done where it was not then prohibited.

Cutting tail tissue or muscle, or any operation altering natural carriage, on a horse, ass, mule, mare or gelding, unless a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing it is necessary for health or life. Misdemeanor.

National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: an industry code, not a statute. NFACC says Code requirements are not explicitly binding in most provinces but can be evidence of distress. Referred to in provincial law: adopted in NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 makes a practice a code prohibits a prohibited one), prescribed in SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), named as a defence in NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) and BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, as generally accepted practice), accepted in NS (Act s.28(b)). Tail nicking and blocking must not be performed.

Professional rule, not a statute: binds CVBC registrants (veterinarians) only, not other people. Tail nicking and blocking; only to treat an injury or disease.

Allowed when a veterinarian operates to treat an injury or disease or for other medical reasons necessary or beneficial to the animal's health (s.28(a)), and for agricultural practices in line with the NFACC codes or other prescribed codes (s.28(b)). Applies to any person, not only veterinarians.

Allowed when a veterinarian operates to treat an injury or for other medical reasons beneficial to the animal's health (s.6(3)). Reasonable and generally accepted agricultural practices are outside the Act (s.7). The vets' own PEIVMA Bylaws s.25.2.7 also call this cosmetic surgery unprofessional conduct.

Nobody may cut the skin or ligaments of an equid's tail to make it carry the tail raised, and owners must not allow it. Blistering, firing and mechanical soring are banned by the same rule. Fine up to NZ$5,000 (body corporate NZ$25,000).