i've witnessed this, it's actually pretty gross.crazymike said:see by tieing up the tail you accomplish two things.
One, you can't get at a horses rear end with it's tail down.
Two, by tieing the horses tail in the air you imobilize the horse and he/she cannot kick you.
But in all seriousness, when a vet pulpates a mare to check it's foal, he puts on a rubber glove that reaches to his shoulder. And no, this is not being extra careful, the entire glove gets soiled.