Tennessee Walking Horse Soring Issue *Update post 1*

[WalkInTheWoods]

[QUOTE=bayou_bengal;6322033]
You do realize, don’t you, that most of the judges are also professional trainers who belong to the Walking Horse Trainers Association, don’t you?

That is how it works- one hand washes the other. Trainer A may be judging Trainer B’s horse at a show this weekend and NEXT weekend Tranier B will be the Judge and Trainer A will be showing in front of him.

Do you really expect these trainers/ judges to police themselves? Some of the guys who work as farriers are also qualified to sit as DQPs. Or at least, it was that way when we had walkers. I believe the McConnells have been officers of that WHTA several times in several positions of leadership. I believe they both hold SHOW judge’s cards as well.[/QUOTE]

This makes my head spin.

[RedMare01]

@luvmytbs;6322543

Sorry to have taken this off topic.

Obviously I am not too familiar with either the TWH or Saddlebred world.

What was shown in the video is beyond sick and I hope some heads will roll.

:). But kicking chains are not just used on TWHs or ASBs. They’re used on many horses in many disciplines that…stall kick.

[quote=drmgncolor;6322594]There are multiple threads on this Forum about ASBs and expelling the myths. Yet every. single. time a thread about TWH horses comes up, the ASB peeps get lumped together with the BL TWHs with someone spouting misinformation.

As the owner of an amazing, sound, never been sored, former show saddlebred, I do not want to be lumped into ANY category with the Big Lick TWH. Ever.

Now back to the topic at hand…

ETA: You’d think as “gung ho” as you are about the NYC Carriage Horse cause, you’d want the ASB peeps to continue fighting misinformation about the speculation of abuse like the BL TWH. I would think you’d understand that.
[/quote]

Agree wholeheartedly. We didn’t bring it up, but when others start posting blatant misinformation, it needs to be corrected. One does not equal the other.

That said, this is my last post on the ASB subject (unless some new stuff is posted ;)).

[asb2517]

[QUOTE=WalkInTheWoods;6322551]
ASB folks, please please please can we stay on topic? [/QUOTE]

Certainly…as long as people who have no idea what they are talking about stop lumping ASB’s in the same category as sored TWH’s.

[WalkInTheWoods]

[QUOTE=drmgncolor;6322594]
ETA: You’d think as “gung ho” as you are about the NYC Carriage Horse cause, you’d want the ASB peeps to continue fighting misinformation about the speculation of abuse like the BL TWH. I would think you’d understand that.[/QUOTE]

We have an opportunity now, maybe a small window of time to get something done. I would just like to see this thread stay focused. I do support the NYC carriages and go to carriage threads to post. We (very luckily for COTh lol) made it through about 8 pages staying pretty much on topic. It wandered off course, not in a malicious way. Some education took place. Everything is good.

adding - if your breed or any other was having problems like the TWH have, i would come to your thread and try to support you too.

[asb2517]

[QUOTE=WalkInTheWoods;6322551]
ASB folks, please please please can we stay on topic? [/QUOTE]

Certainly…as long as people who have no idea what they are talking about stop lumping ASB’s in the same category as sored TWH’s.

[Amwrider]

Let’s make sure that when thanking Pepsi for pulling their sponsorship, we also ask that they NOT support the HSUS with the money they are saving by not sponsoring the Celebration.

HSUS did do the video, but money would be better donated to local shelters.

I just have a gut feeling that HSUS will be after Pepsi for the sponsorship money.

[bludejavu]

@WalkInTheWoods;6322551

ASB folks, please please please can we stay on topic? You dont have a dog in this fight. This is our chance to make a change for some very abused horses. If you need to explain that the 2 breeds are totally different in their movement, training and treatment… im asking as a personal favor that you open a new thread. I know it grinds you to be lumped with BL TWHs and rightly so, but please dont make it so people have to read through more posts to get to on topic conversation.

Thank you in advance.

I came very close to responding much earlier concerning ASB’s simply because back on page 8 “5” asked if there were any other gaited breeds involved in the Big Lick type of training. Since a lot of people think ASB’s are a naturally gaited breed, it would have made sense to answer her and would not have been off topic. However, I got busy at work and never got to it. :winkgrin:

Have to agree with others though - it would be so nice to not be lumped in with the TWH’s for a change. In answer to 5, no, ASB’s use similar equipment and there most of the similarities end. The ASB world has largely divorced itself from the Walking Horse world for a long time now because of the Big Lick atrocities.

[aarpaso]

TWH

I think Wayne Dean is on the board of TWHBEA,could be wrong,maybe the celebration board of Directors. but he may have some violation,also is a trainer.and has something to do with the TWH trainers asso.

My point is they all are holding hands and watching each others backs.if those who appose soring and abuse of the TWH
don;t keep screamin and giving these horses a voice.NOTHING will change.

this ABC news report opened a door not just a window,but a door.we need to walk thru it,a screamin STOP THE ABUSE OF THE TWH.

How can these national organizations,Ruitain,Lions Club Kawanis use these abused horses to make money.maybe they need to be asked. not the local good ole Boys the big boys at the National level. lets send them the News report.

[WalkInTheWoods]

Good idea amwrider. They have lost a venue. They may want to replace it with another venue of similar nature where there are thirsty people. lol When i was talking to the Pepsi rep today, she said it will actually cost them money in lost revenue for not selling their products at the Celebration. Maybe they would be interested in donating to, instead of sposoring, some horse related rescue. That would further their “apology” to horse people

[WalkInTheWoods]

aarpaso - good idea - so many people to reach out to. Its been a way long day and im heading to bed. If anyone has any links that you want added to post 147 just let me know and i will edit and add, just to keep those resources in one place.

night all

[anna_s_girl]

Watching that seriously made me cry,
I had an idea of what went on but it’s much worse than I expected.
There is something seriously wrong with those people.

[Babcock]

I apologize if this was mentioned earlier - but watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dhSP6muJwLk

It is the class tape from the 1999 World TWH Grand Championship at the Celebration (show mentioned on this thread). You can see a “keg-shod” (regular shod) TWH in the ring to compare/contrast to the other horses.

The Jackson Family (who showed their regularly shod horse) had to threaten the show with a lawsuit to let them enter (the horse was otherwise qualified).

Fascinating stuff and when you see them in the ring together it is HARDBREAKING to watch the crazily-shod/trained TWHs - especially at the canter (makes me ill).

[ThisTooShallPass]

.

[511]

[QUOTE=bludejavu;6322651]
In answer to 5, no, ASB’s use similar equipment and there most of the similarities end. [/QUOTE]

That was the answer that I thought and hoped I would get. They ASB along with pasos, foxtrotters and many other gaited breeds are very, nice horses and I am ashamed that I would imagine an overlap in training methods to achieve a gait but but after watching the horses in the available youtube recordings of the canters of dressage horses and canters of ASB vs big lick TWH being forced to ‘canter’ It is like comparing a ballet dancer to a tap dancer to someone being hanged in their death throws - the last being the Big Lick canter the one that makes me cringe.

[skydy]

What a horrible video.:no:
Thanks for the link, WalkInTheWoods,
I put my two cents in to Ford…

[hundredacres]

[QUOTE=Babcock;6322799]
I apologize if this was mentioned earlier - but watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dhSP6muJwLk

It is the class tape from the 1999 World TWH Grand Championship at the Celebration (show mentioned on this thread). You can see a “keg-shod” (regular shod) TWH in the ring to compare/contrast to the other horses.

The Jackson Family (who showed their regularly shod horse) had to threaten the show with a lawsuit to let them enter (the horse was otherwise qualified).

Fascinating stuff and when you see them in the ring together it is HARDBREAKING to watch the crazily-shod/trained TWHs - especially at the canter (makes me ill).[/QUOTE]

That’s amazing footage. I’m going to be late for work now…I couldn’t stop watching it!

[Equilibrium]

WITW, thanks so much for the video of Champagne Watchout. The girl who rode him is a beautiful rider and the only one that looked comfortable. His canter looks beautiful. The one that really struck me as horrific, though all fit, was the grey paint thing. He was definitely lame.

What has stayed with me through all this video footage is how beautiful the natural ones are. You could sit that canter all day. They also seem like wonderful horses to be around. Kind and giving. Thanks for showing the good these horses can offer.

I really can’t get the ABC video out of my head. Totally shocking. No words really.

Terri

[michaleenflynn]

[QUOTE=WalkInTheWoods;6322619]
We have an opportunity now, maybe a small window of time to get something done. I would just like to see this thread stay focused. I do support the NYC carriages and go to carriage threads to post. We (very luckily for COTh lol) made it through about 8 pages staying pretty much on topic. It wandered off course, not in a malicious way. Some education took place. Everything is good.

adding - if your breed or any other was having problems like the TWH have, i would come to your thread and try to support you too.[/QUOTE]

:):)

[michaleenflynn]

[QUOTE=hundredacres;6322850]
That’s amazing footage. I’m going to be late for work now…I couldn’t stop watching it![/QUOTE]

Champagne Watchout is one of the most appealing horses I have ever seen.

I echo all the negative sentiments here about the exaggerated gaits of the other TWH; they are not only ugly, but downright scary to me – doesn’t look like anything from this planet :no::no:

[michaleenflynn]

[QUOTE=Amwrider;6322645]
Let’s make sure that when thanking Pepsi for pulling their sponsorship, we also ask that they NOT support the HSUS with the money they are saving by not sponsoring the Celebration.

HSUS did do the video, but money would be better donated to local shelters.

I just have a gut feeling that HSUS will be after Pepsi for the sponsorship money.[/QUOTE]

YES YES YES - excellent suggestion. This is totally an animal welfare issue, but we know the HSUS will get an avalanche of donations from the exposure, and use the money for their extreme and onerous animal rights agenda. I don’t want to see them get Pepsi’s money, too.