Posted 2012-05-19 4:06 PM (#144061 - in reply to #144057) Subject: RE: ABC News Report on TWH "training" and show practices
Veteran
Posts: 186
It is a sad thing. Glad ABC covered the story. Maybee the news will get all the other breed crap that goes on too... but forsure the big lick is IMO the worst. Not only that but many of the top stupid big lick show horses are being bred for the Pace not the true four beat.
Posted 2012-05-22 9:57 PM (#144164 - in reply to #144057) Subject: RE: ABC News Report on TWH "training" and show practices
Expert
Posts: 1871 Location: NY
It show why the government had to step in and make all show have a vet on hand to vet out horses before and after the show, other breed should take note about what could happen to them if these association do not stop the abuse
Posted 2012-05-24 12:36 PM (#144191 - in reply to #144057) Subject: RE: ABC News Report on TWH "training" and show practices
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316 Location: Illinois
The saddest thing about this is that it has been going on pretty much since Big Lick was created in the '30's. It is not a natural gait by any means. Trimming the hooves to no heals long toes to the quick then placing them on stilts has absolutely nothing to do to help the horse, but to hurt the horse. It certainly is not a gait someone wanting to cruise around their 'plantation' would find enjoyable. Note how the riders perch hunched over the horses back and don't actually ride the horses. More sadly, this so called trainer is not an aberration, but the norm. Want proof. I remember when this happened and was surprised more investigation wasn't done sooner. However, the big step barns tend to be closed barns. Meaning no outsiders are allowed in.
http://forthetnwalkinghorse.blogspot.com/2008/07/exhibitors-leave-m... In a nutshell from the article, there is a big Kentucky Tennessee Walker show, draws 500 to 550 entries annually, when the competitors found out the USDA was there to test the horses, all but 40 entries pulled out. These are nonrefundable big money entry fees they left behind. Who wants to bet most of those left were flat shod horses? Big, Big red flag, but yet this is still allowed to go on. Sadly, look the other way and justify their 'training' is easier then eliminating their big money gait. Sadly, a lot of the abuse is to force them not to show the pain they are in. Frankly, I find it hideous and don't know who could find such a thing pleasant to watch or enjoyable.
The thing that stands out the most in the video below is not only does the Champagne horse look a lot more pleasant to ride, but the rider sits comfortably and centered on the horse. Another thing that stands out is the awkward Big Lick gait when viewed with something closer to natural. The horse is wearing weights on his hooves, though at least they are removable. Also, notice none of the Big Lick horses can park out, a few try, but seem unable, likely because of the amount of pain they are in. Several stand like foundered horses. I'm sure they will get 'corrections' for that. Poor ponies. Finally notice how the flat shod horse's rider is the only one that does what the judge asks, when he asks it and how she is all but ignored and disrespected by the judges.<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hTS4s2XxMcE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>
The are such a wonderful forgiving smooth riding breed, those that find their way into trail riding homes don't know how lucky they are. Much as I love my Thoroughbreds, I think my last horse will be a Morgan or Walker.
Posted 2012-05-24 3:04 PM (#144193 - in reply to #144057) Subject: RE: ABC News Report on TWH "training" and show practices
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: Memphis, TN
We have a big TWH show here every year and I quit going several years ago. Cant stand to see that artificial gait, and people who dont know, applauding it.
I had a TWH, flat shod, who lived to be 32. Was a fine horse.
Posted 2012-05-24 5:34 PM (#144195 - in reply to #144191) Subject: RE: ABC News Report on TWH "training" and show practices
Expert
Posts: 2614
We were at a gaited shoe (primarily TWH and racking) in our hometown last spring,and,from where we were sitting in the stands,the padded horses were coming directly toward us on the rail.You could actually see the BOTTOM of the stacks as they threw their feet out and up while traveling! They looked like windmills.
Posted 2012-05-27 12:00 AM (#144246 - in reply to #144057) Subject: RE: ABC News Report on TWH "training" and show practices
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316 Location: Illinois
A lot of the problem is other breed shows and types of showing are worried that if we ban this type of abuse they will in turn be scrutinized. All I have to say is dog fighting is illegal, yet people can still show in breed shows, obedience, agility, dog sledding, dog weight pulls, etc... Banning something that is obvious abuse will not end in a ban of everything else.If you watch any of the other videos of the Big Lick on YouTube, you may run across on with two year olds. The person doing the video cuts off just as one of the most sore horses nearly goes down, because he doesn't have a leg to stand on. A person in the comments mentionsone of the horses being sore. As best as I could tell, there may have been one that wasn't sore or perhaps as sore as the others. Just sad really. Mostly of the kind of person that would do these things to an animal for any reason, be it a ribbon or cash, how much is your soul really worth? These guyz are selling out cheap if you ask me.
Posted 2012-05-30 8:29 AM (#144327 - in reply to #144308) Subject: RE: ABC News Report on TWH "training" and show practices
Expert
Posts: 2614
they have allowed it because they are all part of the big machine that is called "what it's all about" and,in the case of arena showing,that would be MONEY.
ABC News Report on TWH "training" and show practices
