Tail nicking (setting): 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.

Animal Welfare Regulations 2012 (SA), r 6(1)(a)(iv)Checked 4 Nov 2026

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.

NFACC Code of Practice: Equines (2013), s.6.6 (industry code, not a statute)Checked 4 Nov 2026

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

College of Veterinarians of BC Bylaws, Part 4, s.231(3) (professional rule; s.231 revised 2023-11-13)Checked 4 Nov 2026

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.

Animal Protection Act, S.N.S. 2018, c. 21, ss.27-28Checked 4 Nov 2026

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.

Animal Welfare Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. A-11.2, s.6Checked 4 Nov 2026

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).

Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, r 58IIn force since 9 May 2021Checked 4 Nov 2026

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.

Conn. Gen. Stat. s.53-251Checked 4 Nov 2026

• May not be shown

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.

Mass. G.L. c.272 ss.79A, 79BChecked 4 Nov 2026

• May not be shown

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.

N.Y. Agriculture and Markets Law s.368Checked 4 Nov 2026

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.

S.C. Code s.47-1-60Checked 4 Nov 2026