Budweiser Clydesdales handler walks several Clydesdales prior to bathing the horses at Houston Polo Club before this week’s Clydesdale appearances Monday, March 31, 2014, in Houston.
James Nielsen | Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
Anheuser-Busch InBev has announced that it will no longer dock the tails of its iconic Clydesdale horses, following extensive backlash from animal rights groups.
The renowned beverage maker introduced its horse-drawn beer wagon nearly a century ago to commemorate the end of Prohibition. The Clydesdale horses quickly became popular with audiences, and ABinBev has since utilized them in countless appearances across the country every year for parades, TV commercials, and Super Bowl events.
However, the controversial practice of “docking,” which can involve amputating a horse’s tailbone, has faced scrutiny. Anheuser-Busch stated on Wednesday that it has ceased the practice.
“The practice of equine tail docking was discontinued earlier this year,” said a company spokesperson. “The safety and well-being of our beloved Clydesdales is our top priority.”
Tailbone amputation for aesthetic purposes is prohibited in ten states and numerous countries. The American Veterinary Medical Association has also condemned the practice.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) conducted an investigation which found that Budweiser horses had their tails docked for cosmetic reasons, and the organization denounced the practice as “crude mutilation.” PETA discovered that some representatives of Anheuser-Busch claimed they trimmed the hairs on the tails rather than cutting them off.
Earlier this month, an international coalition of animal protection organizations, including PETA, sent a letter to Anheuser-Busch InBev urging the beer maker to put an end to the practice. Additionally, PETA purchased stock in the company to voice its concerns at shareholder meetings, and the coalition carried out various protests and actions.
PETA expressed its satisfaction with the decision of the beer maker to stop tail docking by stating, “We are cracking open some cold ones in celebration.”
In addition to ceasing the practice, the company also announced a new partnership with American Humane, the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare practices.
