Has anyone come across any evidence that horses tails were actually docked in the Peninsula? ie some vertebrae removed.

The practise had been outlawed by this point, but many cavalry officers still preferred the stumpy look in their horses. They definitely sometimes chopped the hair off, under the dock, to achieve a similar look.

I am trying to ascertain if physical docking had stopped in reality.

The paintings of the time can't be trusted, as the appearance of horses was often altered.

Any help much appreciated