Tennessee Walking Horse Soring Issue *Update post 1*

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=MistyBlue;6689928]
Explain endurance horses then.
Field Hunters.
Speed equitation horses.
Haute Ecole.
Matadore or Picadore horses.
Eventers on cross country courses.
CDE horses.
Polo ponies.

Far more effort. Far longer time competing. Far less lather and heaving.

Horses are capable of being conditioned and trained up to be able to handle these levels of physical activity in sport without any of the lather and heaving seen in a BL horse.

BL horses aren’t capable of being conditioned to be in correct physical condition because:
The horse cannot be worked on conditioning rides while stacked and packed.
The horse is kept stalled unless ridden due to it’s shoe packages.
The animal is underdeveloped and then asked to exert effort on painful limbs and feet in a position nature and physics disallow.

Gaited TWHs are wonderful animals. But the Big Lick has bastardized what they can do to the point of it being detrimental in ANY form for the animal. All disciplines have their morons who use abusive methods to achieve a ribbon. Only Big Lick as a discipline is required to have a painful animal doing something completely unnatural to a degree that’s ridiculous. To compare it to other disciplines you’d have to expand those disciplines to a ridiculous degree also.[/QUOTE]

Ayup.

Nice summary.

G.

[hurleycane]

[B][I]in a position nature and physics disallow. [/I][/B]

This just bears repeating - not for those morons who like this stuff - but for those lawmakers that need to heed the call put a stop to this.

Ditto G.

[cordial]

[QUOTE=hurleycane;6691334]

[B][I]in a position nature and physics disallow. [/I][/B]

This just bears repeating - not for those morons who like this stuff - but for those lawmakers that need to heed the call put a stop to this.

Ditto G.[/QUOTE]

AAHHH, are you calling me a MORON because we have a Sound Padded Horse.???

[Guilherme]

People with Big Lick horses are not necessarily “morons.”

They are engaging in a practice that has demonstrable, negative, long, and short term consequences for the horse. I think a whole bunch engage in highly selective definitions of “sound.” We’ve seen here all the discredited defenses of the practices of the Big Lick process.

Call it what you will, but it’s not necessarily “moronic.”

G.

[cordial]

[QUOTE=Guilherme;6691859]
People with Big Lick horses are not necessarily “morons.”

They are engaging in a practice that has demonstrable, negative, long, and short term consequences for the horse. I think a whole bunch engage in highly selective definitions of “sound.” We’ve seen here all the discredited defenses of the practices of the Big Lick process.

Call it what you will, but it’s not necessarily “moronic.”

G.[/QUOTE]

AAHH, our Padded gelding is 23 years old and still showing…what have you to say about the breakdown of him physically because of his shoeing???

[Dispatcher]

[QUOTE=cordial;6692022]
AAHH, our Padded gelding is 23 years old and still showing…what have you to say about the breakdown of him physically because of his shoeing???[/QUOTE]

Perhaps he is like my aunt, who at age 100 said, “…well, you just go on…”. Meaning no matter what, you just keep plugging away through whatever comes your way. Doesn’t mean you are sound and healthy, just that you find strength to stand on 2 legs. Or in your horse’s case, 4 legs.

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=cordial;6692022]
AAHH, our Padded gelding is 23 years old and still showing…what have you to say about the breakdown of him physically because of his shoeing???[/QUOTE]

I’ve never seen the horse.

If he is as you say then he’s an anomaly.

Beyond that I’ve got nothing to say.

G.

[walknsound]

Tennessee Walking Horse
Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association
the Official Breed Registry

November 28, 2012

Where We Are Today

My Fellow Members:

This will not be the most popular letter of the week, but it is the truth, and sometimes the truth hurts. As the third of my series of six letters this week, I hope the information contained herein will serve you, TWHBEA, and our great horse well. Please keep in mind that I am a very positive individual, and as our Executive Director Mr. Thomas frequently says “I am not being negative, just facing reality.”

I am thankful to have been blessed with such a professional, talented, and world class Executive Director as Ron Thomas during my time as President. He is the most straight forward, direct, to the point, and honest man I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I thank him for his willingness to serve TWHBEA, and for stepping out of retirement to help further the breed registry and great horse we all love so much.

More than one year ago Dr. Chester Gipson, USDA APHIS Deputy Director traveled to Lewisburg to meet with our TWHBEA EC, and present the hard cold truth that we as a breed were in danger of losing our pads and action devices. He delivered the same message in a joint meeting with the Walking Horse Trainers’ Association (WHTA) the next day, and again later with the Walking Horse Owners’ Association (WHOA). Mr. Thomas was one of the first men to step forward and present the word Dr. Gipson had delivered, and as your President I felt it my duty to deliver the message as well.

On a number of occasions, during group meetings of TWHBEA, WHTA, WHOA, & The Celebration I reminded many of what the original intent of our meetings was, and that was to discuss the performance horse pads and action devices, and to help establish “One Voice” for our industry. Dr. Gipson specifically said that he was willing to help us, but the matter was a separate issue from inspections, inspection processes, and inspection services. Over the course of several meetings, a number of our TWHBEA representatives were ridiculed, and slandered for merely delivering a message from the government. A short time later, the USDA held listening sessions around the country regarding pads, action devices, the HIO system & inspections, and the all too common topic of soring. We as an industry and we as a TWHBEA Executive Committee drew our line in the sand and said “no” to making any changes or modifications to the pads and action devices.

A short time later came the release of the Jackie McConnell video. When the release came out I was quite shocked, and in the middle of judging the German Championship in Wemding, Germany. Being located in a foreign country while President of TWHBEA when the video was released really showed me a different perspective, and how our horse, breed, owners, exhibitors, and trainers were viewed internationally. Most compared performance horse people to barbarians, and many have thrown all of us in the same category as Michael Vick. Please understand I am not saying they are right, just merely delivering a message that “perception is reality.”

I recognize and realize many of those in our industry have been in denial about training techniques applied to horses in all divisions of our show horse segment. At the same time, I realize, understand, have enough knowledge, and have been involved with enough truly great and talented animals that I believe we do have sound padded performance horses. What percentage, I honestly don’t know. I do believe in what we have bred over the past 70 years. I believe in our show horse, its talent, ability, stamina, and gifted kindness. The problem does not lie in the performance horse, its pads, or action devices. The problem lies within people who are willing to cheat and abuse a horse to make him mimic or imitate a truly great and natural show horse.

How will we ever stop the cheating? We won’t. Someone will always try to cheat. Someone will always try to take advantage of the kindness and love a horse has for them. Please realize and recognize that no law or amendment eliminates a problem, it merely regulates it. That is the unfortunate truth of government regulation and humanity. There will always be people that run stop signs, and there will always be people that will rob banks.

I am believer in the old saying “you are what you think.” Far too often we think about the issue of soring and catching people who break the law, when we should equally be focusing on promoting sound horses, education in training, and rewarding those who are doing the right things. Our industry has very little record of being proactive, and has become far too reactive.
In the upcoming days you will see the beginnings of a new program at TWHBEA, under our Horse Shows Division that will start the process of rewarding those who are doing the right thing, and those who are showing sound horses.
This program is long overdue. The concept of “The Champions Cup” which has been approved in concept by our Horse Show Committee and our current EC will be presented at the upcoming meetings.

In recent weeks and months we have seen major veterinary organizations speak out against our show horse. We have few friends, and very little time to work together to save our show horse. So many have asked for “One Voice” and if it is not too late already, that “One Voice” must be the voice at TWHBEA, The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association which remains the oldest and largest organization in our industry since its inception in 1935. As a Lifetime Member I stand behind TWHBEA as the leader of our industry, as do thousands of others. I hope you will all stand up for TWHBEA, and voice your opinions and become a vocal part of this association at the upcoming General Membership meeting on Friday and International Board of Directors Meeting & Election on Saturday! Our association and our great horse need you!

With truth and dedication,

Marty Irby

[OneGrayPony]

THIS is a step in the very right direction. Right on, Irby. Now let’s see you do it.

[frugalannie]

I find Mr. Irby’s letter a very interesting example of unclear logic.

I agree with him that the TWH is a wonderful and naturally talented breed. I do not believe that the breed is in danger. Veterinary organizations and many horsemen and women around the world are not “speaking out against the horse”: they are speaking out against what is being done to the horse in the name of sport.

Acknowledging that the horse is naturally talented, why not allow the horse to display that natural talent without mechanical and chemical enhancements?

[cordial]

[QUOTE=Guilherme;6692208]
I’ve never seen the horse.

If he is as you say then he’s an anomaly.

Beyond that I’ve got nothing to say.

G.[/QUOTE]

It is not unusual for a padded horse to be up in years and still showing successfully. Why is that so surprising??

[cordial]

When I say that they are turn out after show season is over…I mean with their big shoes on!

[sunridge1]

Why are people still rehashing the BL debacle? IT IS BAD HORSE HUSBANDRY. It is what it is.

Big Lick folks needs to get a clue by four and take a few lessons in horsemanship and responsible ownership. Right down to the very basics of hoof care, conformation, biomechanics and fitness. I am truly astonished at the lack of very basic knowledge regarding the equine species.

That letter is just more inane political rhetoric. Big Lick is in danger finally, nothing more.

[Rapaloosa]

The most bizarre part of their whole argument is their insistence that those who oppose them are threatening the breed. The fact of the matter is that they are the threat to their breed. Instead of continuing the breeding of the type of horse the Tennessee Walking Horse was founded on- a horse with a smooth gait, intended for gentle riding, they are attempting to turn this glorious horse into a caricature. When I think of Tennessee Walking Horses, or other gaited breeds seen most frequently in my area, I think of smooth trail rides and show classes in which we all can admire the horse who has been bred to move fluidly. The constant argument that the Big Lickers use is that those of us opposed are out to abolish the breed, and that is a point that needs to be stricken from the wording. Breed horses that meet the standard for the original and true Tennessee Walking Horse, instead of these fire breathing romper stompers and I will celebrate the breed with joy!

[hurleycane]

Totally agree Rapaloosa - except that comparing these stacked chained horses to something “firebreathing” implies a strength they do not really have.

The “conditioning” that is done to them relegates them to the class of a poorly painted car with big wheels and a loud muffler. The bad boy driving it thinks it is hot car cause the noise turns heads.

Reality is these stacked chained horses are sputtering with the exhaustion of their poor training.

[hurleycane]

Irby and his ilk need to leave the good breed. History will not ever remember them kindly for what they have done to the Walking horse.

[spookhorse]

I’m sorry, but I am not a threat to the breed! I own two of them, and I’d buy another in a heartbeat…

One of mine is an ex-Big Lick horse with all the scars (mental and physical) to prove it. I could never show him as he’d be dq’d immediately for his old pastern scars He’s a big, pacey thing, a grandson of The Pusher CG, but he’s comfy now that he’s learning to relax. Those first couple of minutes when you get in the saddle can be bit dicey, though, as he still hasn’t learned not to take off as soon as your but hits the saddle. We’re working on it…

My mare came from a BL trainer, the lady who gave her to me gave me his name and other trainers I’ve met get quiet when I tell them, I don’t think that’s a good sign. Mare was never padded that I know of, but she has had the biggest distrust of humans that I’ve ever seen in a horse and has had huge issues with headshyness. Not a little headshy, but full out lose her mind panic attacks sigh She’s 14, with me for 8 1/2 and sometimes she still gets set off. And this is a horse who’s got 1000’s of miles with me and taught the DD to ride and doubles as a husband horse when he wants to hop on.

I’ve seen my own horses screwed up from what goes on in the BL barns, on top of those I’ve worked with and known through the years… It’s time for it to stop!

[Guilherme]

Irby’s letter is fascinating for what it acknowledges (that the Big Lick world is seen as barbaric by the larger horse world; the Big Lick is outlawed in the EU). And for what it doesn’t acknowledge, to wit: it’s the very existence of the pads and chains that cause the rest of the equine world to see the Big Lick and its proponents as barbaric. It seems he’s apologizing to his base not for being a barbarian, but for having a poor PR department that’s not done a good job in explaining the barbarities.

Note the defenses regularly published here and the claims made by Big Lick devotees about these barbaric practices. They track the TWHBEA “party line.” They are the evidence that internal change is not going to happen. These people genuinely believe they are not doing anything wrong.

One of the first things I noted about the Walking Horse industry in 1988 was its incredible “insularity.” There was a real “bunker mentality” by virtually every major industry leader and virtually all of the Big Lick community. It even penetrated the rest of the Walker world, down all the way to the trail riding crowd.

Just how “insular” Irby and his folks are is demonstrated by the sentence that reads “We have few friends, and very little time to work together to save our show horse.” He then repeats the famous plea for “ein Volk, ein Reich, en Fuhrer” with TWHBEA and himself in the lead roles. This would be comic opera if it wasn’t so sad.

G.

[WalkInTheWoods]

Over 100 positive for caustic substance swabbing results. Way to go Big Lickers.

http://chattanoogan.com/2012/11/29/239467/Roy-Exum-Beware-The--The-Big-Lick.aspx
Roy Exum: Beware The ‘The Big Lick’
Thursday, November 29, 2012 - by Roy Exum

Just when horse industry observers were ready to declare the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association was going to install an executive board heavily dedicated to sound horses on Saturday, ominous word is coming out of Shelbyville that there will be a dedicated effort by the reviled “Big Lick” crowd to upset some of those who have been nominated.

To many who have blanched at the Walking Horse industry since a scurrilous tape surfaced in May of horses being tortured and abused, it comes as little surprise as the “Big Lickers” – fearful that impending legislation against soring and abuse will stop a half-century of “business as usual” in the multi-million-dollar industry – are fighting frantically against such groups as the Humane Society of the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and hundreds of thousands of animal rights advocates from around the world.

At least three known “Big Lick” loyalists have just indicated they will seek nominations from the floor at Saturday’s meeting in Lewisburg. Tracy Boyd, the son of late trainer Billy Boyd who was long known for soring and horse abuse, will try to seek the president’s position while two others with a history of Horse Protection Act violations – Kasey Kesselring and Wayne Dean – will also attempt to be elected in what is expected to be a tense meeting.

Boyd has a colorful history in the Walking Horse industry. He once worked for William B. Johnson, the owner of the now-defunct Waterford Farm in Shelbyville, said to be a legendary horse abuser, and more recently has been employed by “Big Lick” kingpin Frank Eichler, who also has a record of violations according to the USDA database.

Curiously, Boyd has just left Eichler in order to work for Marty Irby, the outgoing president of the TWHBEA who will still retain a vote on the incoming board. Irby, you’ll recall, was famously banned from the National Celebration and its grounds earlier this year by chairman David Howard as infighting among the “Big Lick” faction has escalated with the alarming developments that have shaken the insiders in Shelbyville all summer and fall.

That Kesselring and Dean are hopeful of securing a spot on the board is even more stunning. Kesselring, the headmaster of the private Montverde School in Florida, and Dean, who trains horses for him, both have records of violating the Horse Protection Act and there is the disturbing news that when the USDA releases “over 100” tests that have been found positive for caustic substances taken at the 2012 Celebration, samples taken from a horse entered by Kesselring and Dean will be included.

According to the USDA database, Dean has five prior violations of the federal Horse Protection Act while Kasselring has four, if you include the 2008 ticket given to his daughter Kailin. Kesselring and Dean were cited in 2010 when a horse named Bold Reaction had exactly that when tested for caustic chemicals used in soring.

During the regular nominations process all three “Big Lickers” – Boyd, Kesselring and Dean – received nominations but were each rejected by the nominations committee for undisclosed reasons. It is widely thought their association with the seedy side of the Walking Horse industry, which is now under fire by Congress, caused their names to be rejected but a crafty last-minute push has caused each to declare they will seek a nomination from the floor this weekend.

One source said the TWHBEA group has a rule in its bylaws that prohibits recent offenders of the Horse Protection Act from holding an executive position but many with past HPA violations serve on the “Big Lick” boards and there is hardly any stigma towards repeat violators.

Earlier this year five criminals associated with the “Big Lick” pleaded guilty to federal charges in misdemeanor crimes associated with the Federal Protection Act and now there is pending legislation to amend the Act, which was written 42 years ago, that would give it broader powers against the savage soring and torture that is still commonplace among the small but powerful “Big Lick” violators in the Tennessee Walking Horse show world.

The worst two offenders, Jackie McConnell and Barney Davis, told federal investigators and prosecutors soring was a common practice and preliminary word of USDA testing at the 2012 Celebration reveals the results will be devastating when they are finally made public. Soring horses and other abuse is now a felony in the state of Tennessee but, thus far, there have been no arrests or convictions.

Just recently the 80,000-member American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Society of Equine Practitioners – another 10,000 professionals – urged the new legislation be rushed through Congress. Up until now, the Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association has curiously not joined in the cry to eliminate the sadistic methods that – in fact – are ruining the noble breed the group represents. Membership in the TWHBEA has fallen dramatically in recent years.

Other “Big Lick” organizations in Shelbyville have instead fought the Humane Society, the USDA, and any other proponents of reform. One group, called the Tennessee Walking Show Horse Organization, has even sued the Humane Society and the Department of Agriculture in a far-away Texas courtroom in a defiant act believed to have been ordered by the National Celebration’s governing body, which includes Frank Eichler and – get this – Eichler is the chairman of the Show Horse group.

royexum@aol.com

[walknsound]

Today’s Roy:

http://www.chattanoogan.com/2012/11/29/239467/Roy-Exum-Beware-The--The-Big-Lick.aspx