HC Deb 18 June 1913 vol 54 c363
15. Mr. GEORGE GREENWOOD

asked if any steps have been taken by the Army Council to discourage the practice of docking horses?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)

As few docked horses as possible are purchased for the Army. It is the fashion in civil life to dock certain types of horses, and the supply offered especially of draught horses is not sufficient at present to justify the remount buyers in invariably refusing good animals solely because their tails are mutilated. Representations have recently been made to the horse trade on this subject, and an order is now being issued to all concerned that after three years from this date no docked horse will be purchased for the Army.

Sir MARK SYKES

Does the same rule apply to the pulling of horses' tails, which is equally painful?

Colonel SEELY

That does not strictly arise out of this question, but I shall be very glad if the hon. Gentleman will put down a question on the subject.

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