Tennessee Walking Horse Soring Issue *Update post 1*

[ldaziens]

This is exactly my point – when you tell someone you have a TWH, and their eyes get wide and shocked. And, you have to have a whole conversation about soring and the Big Lick explaining that you hate it, too. And then, the next logical question is:

So if the vast majority of TWH and owners have absolutely nothing to do w/ the Big Lick; then WHY does the breed registry make the Big Lick Class the highlight of the big Celebration Show? WHY does the registry support known abusers? WHY? WHY? WHY?

So, I can just imagine that ANYBODY who even attends these shows as a spectator is going to face some questioning – from the general public and other horse people. Luckily, somebody like The Preacher is at those shows to actively stand against this abuse and lobby for change. And, certainly there are lots of people in the TWH community who have been taking a stand against this for a long time and have even formed different organizations like the National Walking Horse Association that represented TWH at the WEG.

Personally, I have not sent in my mare’s registration papers, because I did not want to send a dime to the TWHBEA. I don’t breed or show; so I don’t NEED to formally register her, and I don’t have the time to get really involved with trying to reform the TWHBEA. But, it makes me so sad and sick that the breed registry is the guiltiest party in this whole thing.

The TWHBEA’s behavior w/ regards to soring’ “stewarding”, and “action devices” should serve as a cautionary tale and major wake up call to other breed associations and disciplines. And, the answer is NOT to defend the “rights” of people to engage in abusive practices; because when HSUS or some other group comes after your breed or sport; having a track record of defending The Big Lick will mean anything of value you have to contribute is dismissed out of hand.

[cordial]

[QUOTE=The Preacher;6588863]
Has the war on Soring impacted the status quo?

This was sent to me by someone on WHC, I post this as a follow up to being accused of putting money in their pockets by me showing. Although this only goes back to 2003…it does confirm my claim that our tactics have and are working;

Author Topic
Billy Go Boy Sr
Grand Champion Member

150 Posts

Posted - September 29 2012 : 3:43:49 PM
So far this year:

Trainers Show gone.

National Futurity gone.

CEO Doyle Meadows gone.

Dr. Stephen Mullins gone.

Fans gone.

Take a look at the questionably “ersatz” attendance figures recently published in Herr Howard’s Der Spiegl.

Two nights were inflated by giving every school child in Bedford County two tickets.

Two nights were $1.00 night.

You really have to wonder how much longer the Celebration can keep going.

It’s interesting to compare the published attendance figures from 2012 and previous years.

Here is a telling number for 2012:

1st Saturday - 16,049
2nd Saturday - 16,695

Compare that to 2003:

1st Saturday - 23,891
2nd Saturday - 29,341

Now let’s deal with what appears to be Herr’s inflation of the 2012 numbers:

Adjusting 1st Saturday and 2nd Saturday 2012 numbers you get:

1st Saturday - 16,049 Inflated 12,037 Actual
2nd Saturday - 16,695 Inflated 12,522 Actual

Now compare 2003 with 2012:

1st Saturday
2003 23,891
2012 12,037

2nd Saturday
2003 29,341
2012 12,522

WHERE did 16,819 fans go to from 2003 to 2012???

Billy Go Boy, Sr.
Theta, Tennessee
bahama mama
Grand Champion Member

4550 Posts

Posted - September 29 2012 : 4:23:01 PM
The same place the 41,790 entries went between 2008 and 2009[/QUOTE]

This is directed at Mr. Preacher man,
Did you join the WHC??..it costs 60.00 dollars per year. Don’t tell me you actually pay this, so you can come on here and “spread your cheer”???

[walknsound]

[QUOTE=cordial;6589631]
This is directed at Mr. Preacher man,
Did you join the WHC??..it costs 60.00 dollars per year. Don’t tell me you actually pay this, so you can come on here and “spread your cheer”???[/QUOTE]

The Preacher plainly states someone on WHC sent it to him. (You may read as many times as it takes.)

[WalkInTheWoods]

[QUOTE=cordial;6589631]
This is directed at Mr. Preacher man,
Did you join the WHC??..it costs 60.00 dollars per year. Don’t tell me you actually pay this, so you can come on here and “spread your cheer”???[/QUOTE]

So what if he had paid it? You know what they say - keep your friends close and your enemies closer. But what business is it of yours anyway ? Now. Do you have anything constructive to add to this thread ?

[aarpaso]

lets not forget Wade Adams,fired after a decade of working for the TWHNC,:eek: whatta bet he could tell some tales.

Keep the Cheerful News coming:)

[cordial]

[QUOTE=WalkInTheWoods;6589740]
So what if he had paid it? You know what they say - keep your friends close and your enemies closer. But what business is it of yours anyway ? Now. Do you have anything constructive to add to this thread ?[/QUOTE]

I am taken back at your response…I was asking Mr Preacher, not you. I was asking him why he would spend $60.00 on joining a forum that talks about TWH’s, and yes, quite a bit about the Padded horses. If I was so against a division…I would stay far away, but he seems like he likes to gain information to stir the pot. I’m just saying.

[hurleycane]

Mmmmm. WHC. I remember once viewing some of the talk on that board and coming across advice on how to get scars off your horse’s pasterns. It was quite a little concoction with aspirin and such.

I think it is totally legit to monitor this circle of folks.

Specially since they like to keep it all so private and clubby like. I am sure it is cause folks like me would come on there and suggest they use a little less pad and stuff. LOL

BTW, Preacher did say the info was sent to him. ANd if it was on that board - it is public no? Or should I say to the paying public it is public?

But none the less the info hints of a steady and welcome decline in $$. And what the heck - good news should be shared.

[katarine]

[QUOTE=cordial;6589631]
This is directed at Mr. Preacher man,
Did you join the WHC??..it costs 60.00 dollars per year. Don’t tell me you actually pay this, so you can come on here and “spread your cheer”???[/QUOTE]

Why not? Hold your friends close, and your enemies closer. The ultimate downfall of TWHBEA and all/most of the HIOs is the arrogance and the chesty, cocksure attitude that ain’t nobody gon’ tell me what to do wit’ mah hosses.

I think they are dead wrong, but only time will tell.

[aarpaso]

i dislike using the word Change,do to the fact that so many use it and nothing happens,NO Change.

well the GALE of remove the Big LICK,is blowing at gale force.i mean a CAT 3 they TWHSO, SHOW INC. PRIDE ect: some of the DQPs are asking are they coming for me or when will they come for me. i believe even owners are worried,i could be next,Who called the 1-800 number on that bill board.and God forbid did they tell them that I knew my horse is being sored so i can WIN.

all this is happening behind those dark stall curtains,alot of worry, alittle fear.some pain

and its about time.the humans hurt and not the horses

[hurleycane]

[QUOTE=aarpaso;6590504]
i dislike using the word Change,do to the fact that so many use it and nothing happens,NO Change.

well the GALE of remove the Big LICK,is blowing at gale force.i mean a CAT 3 they TWHSO, SHOW INC. PRIDE ect: some of the DQPs are asking are they coming for me or when will they come for me. i believe even owners are worried,i could be next,Who called the 1-800 number on that bill board.and God forbid did they tell them that I knew my horse is being sored so i can WIN.

all this is happening behind those dark stall curtains,alot of worry, alittle fear.some pain

and its about time.the humans hurt and not the horses[/QUOTE]

About 4 + years ago, I got to know a very nice lady who felt there was no soring of the TWH - even though we now know there was no way she could ever have been sure about it. She had a very successful stacked horse and was proud of him. He was near impossible to handle at home for her and he was eventually sold. No comment from me on the horse other than the lady is someone I highly regard.

And even back then she indeed was very worried about her potential legal exposure on HPA with her show horse.

ANy who do the stacked horse show for any length of time know that as owner - they are considered suspect and can be held responsible for any violation.

It is and has been one of the beautiful untapped potentials of this 42 year old law.

[WalkInTheWoods]

I just learned an interesting tidbit about Purple Strategies, the Washington DC based public relations firm that SHOW hired to divert attention from the recent outing about the abusive practices in the walking horse industry. We knew that but what i didnt know is that Stephen B. Smith Jr, the managing director of Purple Stratagies is the son of Stephen B Smith, a former president of TWHBEA and his grandfather Reese was a noted horse breeder. Just connecting some more dots.

[Rbow]

[QUOTE=hurleycane;6592113]
About 4 + years ago, I got to know a very nice lady who felt there was no soring of the TWH - even though we now know there was no way she could ever have been sure about it. She had a very successful stacked horse and was proud of him. He was near impossible to handle at home for her and he was eventually sold. No comment from me on the horse other than the lady is someone I highly regard.

And even back then she indeed was very worried about her potential legal exposure on HPA with her show horse.

ANy who do the stacked horse show for any length of time know that as owner - they are considered suspect and can be held responsible for any violation.

It is and has been one of the beautiful untapped potentials of this 42 year old law.[/QUOTE]

I remember her and always wondered how your visit with her came out. I respected her and hope she is doing well.

I used to believe in the Big Lick as well. NEVER AGAIN.

[walknsound]

Got good news today! My barefoot trimmer came to do my horses, told me (in this area) BL is mostly dead. Said the Lickers are afraid to take a sore horse to a show. This person is in a position to know, talks to a lot of people. This person said not to worry, BL a thing of the past, the Lickers are “running scared.” We do need to continue our efforts, they are paying off. I’m sooo thankful.

[aarpaso]

my Mother always said clean your plate ONE BIT at a time.

now WITW,as we both know this web of dirty dealings is large,alot of dirty hands,Smith’s go way back trainer could have been McConnell it would not surprize me at all.

… … just draw the line.

[hurleycane]

[QUOTE=Rbow;6593339]
I remember her and always wondered how your visit with her came out. I respected her and hope she is doing well.

I used to believe in the Big Lick as well. NEVER AGAIN.[/QUOTE]

She is lovely. Very artsy craftsy and full of endless energy and just an all round good person who can and does rise to meet any occasion. We have not kept in touch - but I know she is enjoying her nice horses and family.

She can ride. :yes: ANd knows a good horse when she sees one.

As far as how our meeting came out - I simply listened and came to understand her quite a bit. I did not change my mind about the stacked horse and felt then as I do now - they need to lose the chains, stacks and the burden of a shoe that is too heavy. Though it is “legal” it is not good horsemanship and it went too far. As one of the folks I truly admire once said - it is like strapping Volkswagons to a horse’s foot.

[The_Gringo]

[QUOTE=aarpaso;6593477]
my Mother always said clean your plate ONE BIT at a time.

now WITW,as we both know this web of dirty dealings is large,alot of dirty hands,Smith’s go way back trainer could have been McConnell it would not surprize me at all.

… … just draw the line.[/QUOTE]

Wrong, McConnell never trained horses for the Smiths. David Landrum trained their horses for years, and leases the barn he trains at in Franklin from them. You really should check things out before trying to smear people’s names.

[walknsound]

[QUOTE=The Gringo;6594173]
Wrong, McConnell never trained horses for the Smiths. David Landrum trained their horses for years, and leases the barn he trains at in Franklin from them. You really should check things out before trying to smear people’s names.[/QUOTE]

aarpaso stated the trainer “could have been McConnell”, not that it was.

[aarpaso]

Gringo: are you sure that back in the early 80’s there wasn’t a Smith who had amateur/owner horse trained by a Mconnell,its been along time and i’m some what older and memory isn’t what it use to be.

Why would you think it a smear? there are other McConnell trainers other than the one on trial for abusing a TWH.

surely the Voice would have that data. oh well NO big deal.if i’m wrong i’m wrong.

[The_Preacher]

Cordial: Good Morin Everybody

I did mention in my posting that someone hightlight, copied and pasted this thread to me.

You are correct I am not a member of that group, however, that does not stop people from sending things to me they think revelant to the cause.

Walknsound, that is great news, besides seeing for my self the large numbers of empty barns with for sale sides out front. I hear from allot of people stating allot of same observations, I’m glad it is happenin in a major state that is for the padded horse and the associated soring.

You know I am glad to be a member of COTH, I like the class of folks here :>)

I’d like to hear from the group owner or a moderator is they recieved an upturn of visitors or members after Roy Exum mentioned COTH in his Septemberr 25th article. I hope so.

Yours and mine voices do make a difference, I hope all of you see that, even the distractors, when you post what your thoughts and feeling are, someone can pick that up and try to show you what they see and understand to be contrary to you,

This makes this group a very important “Educational Tool”

Y’all have a blessed day and weekend

The Preach

[walknsound]

[QUOTE=The Preacher;6595070]
Cordial: Good Morin Everybody

I did mention in my posting that someone hightlight, copied and pasted this thread to me.

You are correct I am not a member of that group, however, that does not stop people from sending things to me they think revelant to the cause.

Walknsound, that is great news, besides seeing for my self the large numbers of empty barns with for sale sides out front. I hear from allot of people stating allot of same observations, I’m glad it is happenin in a major state that is for the padded horse and the associated soring.

You know I am glad to be a member of COTH, I like the class of folks here :>)

I’d like to hear from the group owner or a moderator is they recieved an upturn of visitors or members after Roy Exum mentioned COTH in his Septemberr 25th article. I hope so.

Yours and mine voices do make a difference, I hope all of you see that, even the distractors, when you post what your thoughts and feeling are, someone can pick that up and try to show you what they see and understand to be contrary to you,

This makes this group a very important “Educational Tool”

Y’all have a blessed day and weekend

The Preach[/QUOTE]

Good morning Preacher. Thanks for posting about the barns for sale, nice to know what’s going on in your neck of the woods.