This year the TWH Celebration at Shelbyville was marred by extreme controversy.  As a result, several people have been suspended.  Senator Bill Frist has proposed an amendment to the Horse Protection Act which would allow some soring methods to continue.  I have emailed his office the following:

Please reconsider your request to amend the Horse Protection Act.  Your amendment would allow mechanical soring as well as purposeful foundering of horses in order to show the "big lick."  I am sure you mean well but the soring methods are as numerous as horses.  I have Tennessee Walking Horses because I am a Tennessean, born and bred;  and they are wonderful horses.  Both the Tennessee Walking horse and the State of Tennessee are hurt by people who will do anything to win.  I urge you to speak with equine veternarians about this issue, not just owners and trainers.  The mess at Celebration this year makes Tennesseans and Tennessee horses look very bad.  Please do some more research before pushing for amendment of the Horse Protection Act.  Thank you. 

IMO to cause pain to a horse for the sole purpose of obtaining an edge over competitor horses is shameful.  Personally, I would much prefer that DQP's and judges call a sored horse a sored horse (and keep the gov't out in the process).  When an industry fails to do what is ethical, then gov't gets involved, to no one's benefit.  So to all show horse people, is  a "little sore" acceptable?  Please take a stand for the sake of your horses and the show industry. 

Houndog:  I know the "scar" rule is a problem;  possibly because it is mis-named.  But the amendment leaves it wide open to do some of the tricks such as putting half a golf ball under the pads, "quicking" a hoof on purpose, purposely foundering horses and so forth.  IMO the action chains alone will not cause the extensive callous formation.  With the use of kerosene, go-jo and other substances and action chains, callouses will form very quickly.  Most trainers only work padded horses for 30 minutes to an hour a day, and not seven days a week.  So when a three year old has callous formation, it isn't only from the use of chains.

Now having said that, the Walking Horse Report states that three equine vets wrote the Frist amendment to the HPA.  For anyone interested that site is  www.walkinghorsereport.com

Okay, here I go. I'm sure I'll get my a#* chewed out on this one.  Anyone trying to "alter" a horses feet for the  purpose of "SHOWING" or any other reason, should be prosecuted for animal abuse. There's no such thing as a little soring, like there's no such thing as a "little" abuse.  I purchased my TWH from a show barn and what I saw there made me sick.  They sold him because he had one white hoof and one black.  Doesn't look good in the frigging show ring I guess.  (Well that's what they claimed anyway.)  I say, thank god he wasn't "soring worthy"........

I've been told that soring is illegal in this country.  Am I wrong?

Hounddog:  Man,,,, this is like being in the "bazzaro" world of showing to me.............."scary" too.   Make's me even more happier that I rescued my TWH from that barn.  (Even though I paid money for him, I still call it a "rescue")

Geesh!  

Good morning folks.  If a horse has white feet, it is easier to see the movement of the feet.  Just like when you're looking for  a horse at night, it is easier to see the ones with white on them.

Houndog:  You are right about the problems in inspection and judging.  It is not a level playing field, but so long as people are involved, there will always be some problems of that kind.  It is not fair or right, but neither is life in general.  All of us should strive for fairness in all aspects, including but not limited to the show ring.  I truly wish that all of this could have been handled within the industry.  Nobody comes out when the gov't steps in.

Houndog:  I too like the saddeseat saddle and attire for the show ring.  Just seems more dressed up!  My main horse has 4 white socks. 

Best wishes to you in selling your stallion. 

We went to the Magnolia Classic this year in Corinth,Ms. as We have for several years past.Went on the last night of competition and seen first hand the results of having fed inspectors on hand for the show.The first few classes went normally then suddenly they started skipping classes then some with only 1-2 horses entering the ring.This went on for the entire show and the next thing We knew the show was over.This was a show that normally drew competition from all over the country,with a packed ring,yet could hardly get horses in the ring for the usual classes.This was a obvious disgrace to the so called"INDUSTRY".Allthough I wasn't told that this was the reason for the poor attendance at this show,In my oppinion this is what happened

We own 1 Tn.Walker and I have owned 1 in the past.We love to watch them show in the ring and have found no other breed that has the appeal that this one does.        Allthough the walking horse association has furthered this breed for the good in many aspects,this is not one of them.In my opinion they have transformed the "INDUTRY" to just that,an INDUSTRY where people will do just about anything to get there hands on some $$$  If there not in it for the money then the prestiage of owning the so called best. In the end the horses are the losers from being subject to the crual "training" methods that plaque this show breed. The twhbea has in my opinion has done an extreme diservice to the breed with there allowances of whats exceptable for the "BIG LICK". I know that some will say that it's not the twhbea's fault,that they couldn't control what the owners and trainers done but imho they hold most of the blame for further promoting rules allowing (ANY SORING OF ANY KIND).The most likely reason for the sudden inspections was a resent article in EQUUS magazine that brought to light the obsurd "training methods" that are often used.I'm personaly glad that they printed the article and brought this to the publics attention.Looks like it has stirred up some folks interest!

We love our TWH and would like to see the breed prosper, but not with crual treatment of the horse!         I'm for NO SORING OF ANY KIND and that's where I"m gonna stay!

"Senator Bill Frist has proposed an amendment to the Horse Protection Act which would allow some soring methods to continue."

In my oppinion this goes to show how political pressure and possibly some money under the table gets things done! There obviously is no shame when you hold an office!

                                         ,Ardly 

Ardly, I couldn't agree more.  Under no circumstances should you have to make a horse sore to perform.

I do not own, show or ride TWH of any kind. But this is my opinion- the testing rules  ( from what I have read) so seem subjective. That, in itself, makes the whole process ripe for controversy. Unlike drug testing,you ( the owner and/or exhibitor) are at the mercy of who ever is doing the inspection. Many owners and trainers have alot of money invested in the horses ( and its not greedy to want to make your living raising or breeding horses) to be turned away from a show espcially when you have been able to show previously, would make people very upset and i don't blame them. I have no doubt there are some trainers who would galdly take the easy way out and sore the horses. I have to think the vast majority of them are trying to do things the right way. I know in the arabian world, people onn the outside are always complaining about "big name trainers" who use abusive methods, yet they never name names....its always this mysertious Big NAme Trainer. Anytime someone gets successful, little people try to bring them down.

Someone posted that some trainers purposely founder a horse to get the big lick.Doesn't this seem at odds with the reality foundered horses are dead lame? This sounds like a bunch of misinformation...rumors....that get started and make a real bad name for the breed and its owners/trainers. I'd like to get facts not rumors. Did the THW people deserve a bad rep? maybe. Is it as bad as some say? I really don't know but my gut instict tells me to view many of these allegations with a healthy degree of skepticism.....

Soring is a broad term like the word colic.It comes in many forms from a little dishwashing detregent to more serious.From what the trainer I use tells me ALL the better trainers are VERY nervous.Its how they make a living.The guy that has my colt is on a 8 month suspension now for the sensitivy rule.He took in 6 horses from a new client that had beed witgh another trainer.Client wanted some or what not shown two weeks later.One COLT did not like his lower leg handled and kept pulling it away during inspection.BAM 8 month suspension. trainer can go to the show,but can't show a horse or even drive his rig into the show grounds but can ride in passenger seat on to the grounds.Can't be on the rail but can be away from the rail on a two way.He's taking 6 to a show tonight.Has two other guys(one client)that is showing horses and trainer will use the two way radios etc. Trainer I have says he can spot a sored horse from just the way it goes for the most part and yes he knows all the tricks of the trade.He says MOST trainers are wetting their britches and are NOT soring.As far as foundering one.Well not on purpose and yes it would be dead lame.He now handles lower legs a lot so when handled no pulling back or acting stupid on the horses part.The sensitive thing was no differant then like one pulling away with a farrier or when picking a hoof but got trainer suspended.All of his horses have passed the scar rule and the sniffer many times now.

Unlike some of the other posters believe, I believe this to be very commonplace.As i stated in my earlier post, the show at Corinth,Ms usually had a full house as far as entries went. Did they all get suspended? Not in my understanding of the way things go when the fed. inspecters show up. Thats when the word is passed out in the stables that they are present and everyone starts taking there horses back to the barn. I will say that I firmly believe there are reputable trainers as well as owners and the honest ones would likely leave along with the crual for the simple reason that anything that falls in the category of soring will be dealt with even if there has been no abuse involved. I'm sure a reputable trainer don't want that image or suspension to deal with when he has done nothing wrong! Bottom line is that this competition was doomed from the start, when people decided that to gain an edge over the others it was acceptable to cause the horse pain to exagerate his gait. Not unlike any sport that people push the envelope to outdo the rest. An aqaintence of ours told of the way that a fairly well known training barn solved there problem about the horse jerking it's sore to the touch foot from the inspectors hand, They picked up his foot and let him jerk it away then beat him everytime that he didn't hold still for them till he finally held his foot still no matter how much pain he was in. I know ,this is just an isolated incident and REAL trainers don't do such things,right! I believe that some people need to get there heads out of the sand and pay attention.Give most people a little time and they'll slip there training methods out for you to see.

Should anyone be ashamed for trying to make a living training and showing horses, Certainly not! Should they sore the horse for there own profit and notoriaty,Not in this guys book! By the way, the article in EQUUS magazine featuring this special report was in the November 2005 issue should anyone be interested.Some very informative reading for the unbelieving!

                         ,Ardly

I had a neighbor that owned a twh for thirty+ years that showed him for the most part of his life,He kept pads on him for all of his showing(52 weeks a year) career which incompassed the better part of his life.He stayed in an approx.10by20 stall for his entire life what time that he wasn't being trained or shown,hardly seeing daylight thru the cracks in the barn walls.He took me to see his horse before he and the horse passed away and said that he won most of the shows that he'd been put in,was this abuse?        Don't know about ya'll, but standing in a 10by20by 2 feet of manure for 30+ years seems a little much,Sorry!

                                        ,Ardly

Sorry I didn't word it correctly.  Like I said, I don't know squat about showing any horse, all I know is what I saw.  Hadn't a clue about what it was called.  Torture would be more appropriate.

Glad to hear that this jerk got charges filed and he was suspended.  I asked a question a few posts ago and no one has answered it, so I'll try one more time.

Is it against the law in this country to sore horses feet?  Or "block" them?  I was just wondering.

"Is it against the law in this country to sore horses feet?  Or "block" them?  I was just wondering."

 The answer to your question is "yes."  It is a violation of the Horse Protection Act (federal).  And I believe certain "practices" might warrant an "animal cruelty" charge under Tennessee state law.

By the way, a foundered horse is not necessarilty "dead lame."  It depends on the animal, the degree of rotation of the coffin bone, the amount of separation of the laminae, whether there is any abscess.  Many "foundered" horses can be brought sound by using heartbar shoes. protective padding or padded footwear such as the Sabre sneaker. 

As an equine vet once told me, if there were a nuclear holocaust, two creatures would suvive:  the cockroach and the Tennessee Walking Horse.

Oh dear.......just a few weeks ago I had put in a post on all of the difficulty I was having just getting my Arabian gelding's ears and nose whiskers clipped for a small local show.  He won that day...with furry ears and long whiskers and was barefoot too. (and yes, he did have competition)

My problem seems miniscule compared to wood blocks, chains, golf balls ..............Does it not seem ironic that people will do these things to a horse for money and ribbons but at the same time argue about sending a horse to slaughter?

Ice Crm:  Thank you for your post.  Your insight into the controversy does explain a lot of what went on. 

Beth:  Even when I show I don't clip the feathers off my twh and don't clip his ears.  Sometimes we place, and sometimes we don't.  At my stage of life, I am just glad to be able to go.  We trail ride alot but sometimes I just want to get dressed up and go to a show.  I figure if my horse and I have a good ride in the ring, that is good.  If we don't, I try to figure out how I messed him up.

So there you go..............there are horsepeople and then there are people who own horses.  I think mine own me.

Rose, very well said!

Happy trails to you Rose.

I believe that this kind of behavior will surely continue, this is obviously human nature as it is seen in so many aspects of life. For some reason certain people seem to have little to no compassion for anything or anyone other than themselves. You'll allways have cock fights,bull fighting,pit bull fighting,etc.It may seem a poor comparison between these things and soring of a horses feet but the truth is it all comes down to the same thing,causing pain of an animal purely for the entertainment and monetary gain of humans.I've found it way to common to meet someone on the trail or at the campground that after about thirty minutes of talking to them find out that they solved there horses behavour problems with a 2 by 4 between the ears! Usually after reflecting back on the conversation with them I would recall that this seemed to be there attitude towards other aspects of life as well.They all seem to have this"I'M THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS" attitude.         I personally feel that horses,dogs,roosters,etc.feel pain just like I do and deserve to NOT have it purposely inflicted on them just the same as I wouldn't want it inflicted on myself, but then again,I don't feel as thou that I'M the only thing in this world that matters.

Sure it'll go on, it has since as long as anyone can remember!                                                              

I just personally choose to not be a part of it!

                                   ,Ardly

Nothing makes me sicker than what people do to horses.  Any horse subjected to soring, or heavy shoes or chains or ANYTHING that FORCES them to go in a way they wouldn't go is abuse.

It makes me ashamed to be human to see what people will do to innocent animals for "sport".

Unfortuantely, the TWH people and other disciplines like them have proven that they are incapable of self regulating.  There is no choice left but for the government to become involved.

Houndog:  I think you are blowing this subject way out of whack.  You call this person a "tree hugger" because they feel that "soring of feet" is abuse.  Give me a break.  No one is talking about what the hell happened a hundred years ago and you know it. And whatever was done to horses back many years ago was most likely for "survival purposes" not for the frigging "SHOW" or the "MONEY" like you "ALWAYS" seem to mention.  Just because things were done the same years ago doesn't make them right today.  Women couldn't vote years ago, Blacks were in slavery years ago, children worked in mines and factories years ago. The list is never ending from "years ago".

Beast of burden.................please. 

 Okay Houndog, it's obvious your a complete "hard-head".  The way the post reads, in the real world, is this person is obviously talking about the extreme means being used to alter a horses looks, movement etc, for the benefit of SHOW, good grief.  Sometimes people write what they feel about subjects and don't completely EXPLAIN themselves. They don't always dot their eye's and cross their T's like they should.  And now you've added Fosh (what is that by the way, friends of the state highway, friends of sh#t heads, friends of sick horses?) and PETA. Your post is beyond comprehension.

By the way, I completely understood what that person was trying to say.  So you'd better be carefull what you call people...........because if you knew me you would  know that I'm the FARTHEST thing from being a tree hugger or PETA activist.  I have no clue what FOSH is, so for sure I'm not that.

So there!

AMEN......!!!   and well said. 

I read a joke somewhere like this....what does your mind and a parachute have in common? .....they only work if they are open.  

  If you live in a glass house, don't throw stones!  In case you don't understand  --  EVERY single breed of horse that SHOWS has issues with regard to "inhumane" treatment to get those horses doing what they do.  Other breeds should stand behind the TWH people because the government has no business in ours and they'll be in yours next.  What's next -- the USDA monitoring "little league" parents?

No one wants a "sore" horse, but give me a break here.  Show horses are athletes and they stretch their physical limits just as human athletes do.  A good TWH can do a lot -- a lot of action up front and a lot behind. 

Ardly,

I think you totally missed the point I was trying to make and that is: don't "pick" on one breed regarding "inhumane" show practices because they are happening everywhere!  If the government is going to check horses at horse shows, then let them check all breeds!! 

As for "my mantle" just for your information I happen to have 2 very talented (naturally) flat shod show horses and I take offense to your indicating that I have "cheated" to win, which is far from the truth.  And, just so you know, I lay my head down and sleep at night knowing I have two happy and healthy show horses.

You can't make a silk purse out a sow's ear and I think that if more people bought more talented horses in the first place there would be far less "soring" going on and that is a fact.  Just like you can't make a child run faster or throw farther, every animal has physical limits and owners need to understand that, even with trail horses.  I know several people, as I'm sure many do, that don't ride all week (or two) and then take their horses on a grueling 8 hour ride!

I think we all have beat the crap out of this subject..........but you brought up another type of abuse which I think should be addressed.

What  "IS" it with horse people that don't ride on a regular basis, then go out and ride for 8 hours straight?  I've met horse people that hadn't gotten on the backs of their horses for 10 months and then will  take them on a long grueling trail ride in the blistering heat!  Then can't figure out "why their horse" tied-up. They are abusers with backwoods mentalities.  They make me want to yank them off their horses and give em What-Fur!  It even surprises me that people will admit something like that.

Hey, I can't change the world, but if I get this message out to one person and they learn from it, then it's one less horse being abused.

Of course the husband is always on alert...........(poor guy).

It's October, and Quarter Horse Congress time. Talk about abuse, especially in the "pleasure horse" classes. My question for the board - When did things change to the current abysmal state of affairs? I showed Western PLeasure and Trail in the 60's, and clearly remember the terminology of the jog being describe as "ground covering" and that you were to "move out" at the walk. The lope was a natural gait, head level. Heck, we even had to extend the lope and hand gallop in a tightly contested class. In the trail class, you received 20% of your score for "appointments," which included a slicker, rope, optional hobbles, and chaps. Gee, sounds so practical! Now it is all about bling! bling! bling! Silver on the saddles, riding outfits you would never really ride in, etc., etc. It would be great to have a "retro" movement to real pleasure horses, with riders that ride other than in a circle. We even had to compete at times in a flat area without the benefit of a ring if there were 2 judges, and a slow moving show. I personally loved that, because many horses didn't know what to do without a rail. Besides the small cadre (as far as interests of the AQHA endeavors are concerned, per their survey) of show folks who market and show these horses, what is the point? We visit the West each summer and ride ranch horses. Their demeanor, way of going, legs, feet, etc., in no way resemble what you see in a AQHA show ring. When did things change, and why? Thanks for your patience on a sentimental journey and philosophical questions!

Thanks!

Brenda

I'm glad that you have perfectly sound horses that are perfectly happy! Nonetheless,Your post certainly implies that You'd stand behind inhumane treatment rather than have government intervention. As I have stated,I also feel  that government itervention would do little good and likely make things worse than they are in some/most aspects of the issue. At the same time I would certainly not rally behind the TWHBEA or any other breed association for that matter for the sake of high-browing the government into letting them(breed association)do as they please(self govern!). Personally,
I don't believe, myself, the government nor or the breed associations will stop this type of treatment,but nonetheless, if the USDA causes them(the inhumane owners,trainers,exibitors) some(alot) of discomfort($) for at least a little while then it just makes me feel better! Maybe that is disagreeable to You, maybe You think that we should just let them be and maybe You think that my way of seeing this issue is self serving. I just don't personally believe that rallying behind a wrong cause(TWHBEA) for the sake of it might get the government involved is the humane thing to do.

                                    ,Ardly

p.s. Unless I read Your post incorrectly, You did speak of no one wanting a sore horse, but nowhere in your first posting did You say that if there gonna get involved(the government), then they need to do it in all the different breed associations. Actually,I read it to say the contrary, Stand behind the TWH so as to keep them(the government) out of our business and our little league parents games.Maybe I read it incorrectly,maybe You wrote it incorrectly, But thats the way it reads to me!

Ardly,

First of all, so there's no misunderstanding here, my point is if the government is checking horses, they need to check them all!  I have no problems with them checking my walking horses but I also feel that we are being discriminated against.  Regulations should be across the board, in all breeds.

Secondly,  you would be hard pressed to find many WH owners rallying behind the TWHBEA.  They are fast on their way out, for several reasons.

I'm not denying any instances of "soring" or inhumane treatment that is taking place.  But, everyone needs to wakeup and realize it is not only happening in the WH industry!

Okay lets look at it this way........I don't think it is discrimination if  "show officials"  or the  "Government" have to step-up their scrutiny of a particular breed of show horse (or race horse) if the largest degree of abuse or infractions have been occurring within that particular breed.  Basically it seems like the problems that have been brought to light in the WH industry are due to the breed registry and show officials who have allowed the infractions to go on for so long.  If owners, breeders and trainers are not reprimanded for these practices then there is no limit to what unscrupulous people will do to win.

Also this is hard on the honest owners, breeders and trainers that are following the rules and not abusing or harming their horses to win......they either quit and give up the shows or they jump on the bandwagon and learn what it takes.

If the WH breed association would recognize that they have a problem and would step up and self-regulate their shows with stronger enforcement of the rules then the Government wouldn't have to. 

If the WH breed is beening harmed by this controversy, then take responsibility, step up to the plate and change it!   You won't get much sympathy from me or anyone else if all you're doing is jumping around throwing a tantrum and whining about "discrimination" .  You owe it to your breed of horse to recognize you have a problem and take positive steps to change and improve the breed's image and welfare.

HWBar,

Amen, I say!  Let's just all have fun with our horses.  People are going to think what they want and do what they want to.  You'll like this:  I was at a gaited show and had a lady standing next to me with her cocker spaniel.  She said to me "I think it's terrible that they (SBs) cut their tails to make them like that" and I said to her "lady, at least we don't cut their tails off like you did"!!!

People need to take a closer look at a breed or a sport and make an effort to become informed before forming an opinion.  Have fun roping!