In San Antonio, Texas, Budweiser faced more criticism in the treatment of their majestic Clydesdale horses, after one of its wagons carrying the horses was involved in an accident. Several horses were injured during a rodeo event after the horses became confused by a misdirection command, but it has since been reported that all of the horses are expected to make full recoveries.
The incident sparked more outrage as animal welfare organizations have criticized the company for using tight fitting harnesses during the horses’ processions.
Budweiser did not air a commercial with the horses during the 2023 Super Bowl. Although it has not been announced as the reason the famous Clydesdales did not appear in the commercial this year, the backlash about tail docking has caused controversy.
According to (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) PETA, investigators went to Warm Springs Ranch in Missouri (the official breeding facility for the Budweiser Clydesdales) and visited Grant’s Farm where the horses are trained.
We uncovered that Anheuser-Busch Companies LLC, which produces Budweiser beer, amputates the tailbones of the famed Clydesdales – primarily so they’ll look a certain way as they pull the wagon.
PETA
Tails on horses are responsible for balance, mobility and communication as well as swatting flies and pests while outdoors.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) condemn these procedures as animal cruelty and in violation of their ethics code. PETA states the Clydesdale foals have their tails, which are part of their spines, completely or partially severed with a scalpel or by having a band placed around their tails to stop the blood flow. The tail then eventually falls off.
In response, trainers for the Clydesdale horses contend they simply “pull” the tails—which means thinning the tail by wrapping hairs around a comb and pulling them out—in order to keep them clean during breeding and birthing. At a parade in Annapolis, Maryland, where the horses were making an appearance, one Clydesdale handler denied that the horses’ tailbones are amputated.
Read more about the PETA investigation here.
What do you think?
You can watch the accident.
Hopefully all of the horses have made full recoveries.
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If they are docked, it isn’t for looks as PETA claims. The long tails are a safety concern for the horses as they can get caught in the harness, or the wagon. Again the harness has to be tight for safety.
Yeah, no, I don’t believe anything PETA says.