Tennessee Walking Horse Soring Issue *Update post 1*

[WalkInTheWoods]

I am extremely disappointed to see that the TWHBEA executive committee is completely immune to outside influence and the opinions of people from around this country and the world who recoginze abuse when they see it. Dozens of articles in the 3 local newspapers and they still promise that soring is not done by the majority of BL trainers. It could take years for the leadership of TWHBEA to change as terms expire. How long will soring go on in private “dark” barns because TWHBEA will not admit or agree that there is a problem and do something about it ?

The reason for soring pasterns is to have the chains inflict pain as they bang around. If chains were outlawed in the ring and/or on the show grounds would chemical soring stop ?

If chains are banned there is still a problem with the stacks which can hide horrors underneath. All BL trainers claim they dont sore or pressure shoe and that the stacks dont hurt a horse at all. IMO i have always thought that the stacks alone are extremely abusive.

A few days ago i was thinking… it would be easier to leave the HPA as it is and just ask that more funds be allocated to the USDA for increased inspections. Thinking that would be the easiest, fastest way to get these horses some help.

But i was wrong. Inspections are not enough. BL needs to be eradicated. If the TWHBEA wont do it, then the federal and state governments will have to. I was on the phone today with someone in the know and the HPA can be amended in many ways. Putting breed specific language in it. Banning chains. Stiffening up the whole DQP program.

Increased inspections are just a bandaid. We need to let these horses heal.

[nashfad]

It is a terrible situation. For yrs when folks have asked me about the TWH shows, I have said to them,“Now that is a whole different world”. And it is. Their world, their rules.

[CarrieK]

@WalkInTheWoods;6344427

I am extremely disappointed to see that the TWHBEA executive committee is completely immune to outside influence and the opinions of people from around this country and the world who recoginze abuse when they see it.

Please don’t take this as harsh or condescending but since soring has gone on for decades, and people have been speaking against it for decades, it is perhaps overconfident to think that they will crumble and fold after this. No doubt they are going to ride it out like they have ridden out things in the past.

[nashfad]

Probably so.

[Kit]

Absolutely disgusting this whole subject. I have sent an e-mail insupport of a jail sentence and hope that this practice is knocked on the head. Glad this doesn’t happen in our country. Stand up, speak up and fight everyone. Shame on that industry!

[WalkInTheWoods]

This link has video of a natural moving TWH

http://parsleyspics.blogspot.com/2010/02/natural-gaited-tennessee-walking-horse.html

The BL videos in the second link have been removed. Guess the youtube entity could not take the scrutiny.

http://parsleyspics.blogspot.com/2010/02/big-lick-tennessee-walking-horse-part-2.html

What is it about the name McConnell ? Read about KY Senator Mitch McConnell. This is old news, but many who are just learning about BL might not be aware of what he did to interfere with implementing the HPA.

http://parsleyspics.blogspot.com/2010/02/tennessee-walking-horse-mitch-mcconnell.html

Breeding is lucrative.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120524/BUSINESS01/305240039/Big-money-may-motivator-walking-horse-soring?odyssey=obinsite

Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper of Nashville signed on to legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, that would authorize spending up to $5 million a year to enforce the protection act. This link gives contact info for senators and reps. Many are not supporting Cooper and Cohen

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120527/COLUMNIST0101/305270045/Gail-Kerr-You-can-help-stop-Tennessee-Walking-Horse-abuse?odyssey=obinsite

[WalkInTheWoods]

[QUOTE=hurleycane;6343279]
…Walkinginthwoods - Other than HSUS, who is mounting legal efforts to limit the action devices? stacks? chains? The Preacher started a good effort with the petition, but I have not heard of any other real and meaningful effort to get behind with $$. I know some years ago I read up on the USDA hearings and such. ANd in those USDAofficials made mention of enforcing limits on these stacks - but the stacks are still there. It is that kind of stuff I would like to find out more about…[/QUOTE]

It is a short list, isnt it ? Or rather, can one entry even make it a list ?

[hurleycane]

[QUOTE=WalkInTheWoods;6344427]
I am extremely disappointed to see that the TWHBEA executive committee is completely immune to outside influence and the opinions of people from around this country and the world who recoginze abuse when they see it. Dozens of articles in the 3 local newspapers and they still promise that soring is not done by the majority of BL trainers. It could take years for the leadership of TWHBEA to change as terms expire. How long will soring go on in private “dark” barns because TWHBEA will not admit or agree that there is a problem and do something about it ?

The reason for soring pasterns is to have the chains inflict pain as they bang around. If chains were outlawed in the ring and/or on the show grounds would chemical soring stop ?

If chains are banned there is still a problem with the stacks which can hide horrors underneath. All BL trainers claim they dont sore or pressure shoe and that the stacks dont hurt a horse at all. IMO i have always thought that the stacks alone are extremely abusive.

A few days ago i was thinking… it would be easier to leave the HPA as it is and just ask that more funds be allocated to the USDA for increased inspections. Thinking that would be the easiest, fastest way to get these horses some help.

But i was wrong. Inspections are not enough. BL needs to be eradicated. If the TWHBEA wont do it, then the federal and state governments will have to. I was on the phone today with someone in the know and the HPA can be amended in many ways. Putting breed specific language in it. Banning chains. Stiffening up the whole DQP program.

Increased inspections are just a bandaid. We need to let these horses heal.[/QUOTE]

I totally agree with this sentiment. I used to try and accept that one day on their own and with a little encouragement and support, the pople would bring down the pads and lose the chains. Time has proved they won’t.

In your conversation with the in the know person on HPA - did they mention if anyone was going about getting the changes in place??? ANy legal effort to get behind and fund that they know of??? Cause that is a group I would really like to send my pocket change to. THAT and I would like for somone to take over the TWHBEA registry.

It is the only way to stop this.

[Dispatcher]

@Tamara in TN;6342470

I met Keith Dane nearly 20 years ago.

Your assertions of him are wrong and perhaps merit retractions.

Just FYI.

Tamara

How so? No information in your post.

[Plainandtall]

Walkinthewoods & Hurleycane- This link about Gov. Mitch McConnell you just offered

http://parsleyspics.blogspot.com/2010/02/tennessee-walking-horse-mitch-mcconnell.html

had a pretty good “LIST” at the end naming who besides the HSUS is fighting this. The fact that there are walking horse groups who use to word “SOUND” as a qualifier… (as opposed to…???) When a giant portion of the people involved with a certain breed adopt names about what they do that are so clearly defamatory of the other portion of the breed’s enthusiasts- I think it’s fair to say that it’s not JUST the HSUS fighting to bring an end to it.

Have you heard about the “Unity Committee” ?

Why would they develop such a thing?.. it’s not about the HSUS- it’s about people from within the breed who have had enough- and about them trying to get people to calm down and let them keep their stacks and chains.

http://www.walkinghorsetrainers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76:whta-addresses-unity-committee-goals&catid=12:news--press-releases&Itemid=27

[WalkInTheWoods]

[QUOTE=CarrieK;6344580]
Please don’t take this as harsh or condescending but since soring has gone on for decades, and people have been speaking against it for decades, it is perhaps overconfident to think that they will crumble and fold after this. No doubt they are going to ride it out like they have ridden out things in the past.[/QUOTE]

My condesension alert didnt go off at all ! :lol: I was just hoping that THIS time after the farthest reaching exposé ever, their lowered membership, the upcoming court dates in Fayette county and the federal sentencing coming up, lots of ppl switching to flatshod,THIS time might be different. Pretty Pollyannaish on my part. They will not go down without a fight.

[CFFarm]

According to their own website less than 5% of the reg walkers are “performance” horses.

And check out the little paragraph dedicated to their judging:

http://www.twhbea.com/breed/general.php

And yet the majority of the membership let this suffering go on. Hopefully this will give some of the younger members the cahones to finally push the old men out.

and sorry plainandtall. They have of course, withdrawn from the committee.

http://www.twhbea.com/News%202012/12UnityRelease0525.php

[Angela_Freda]

[QUOTE=CarrieK;6344580]
Please don’t take this as harsh or condescending but since soring has gone on for decades, and people have been speaking against it for decades, it is perhaps overconfident to think that they will crumble and fold after this. No doubt they are going to ride it out like they have ridden out things in the past.[/QUOTE]
I think the difference now is the availability of popular/social media which helps the word spread to people who would never have heard of this disgusting practice.
Example, I am the only ‘horsey’ person in my family, so when I post these things on my Facebook page, many people who had no idea get informed.
Shining a light on these little pockets of decades old nastiness these days… well it’s a far brighter, illuminating light than it would have been 10 or 20 years ago.

If you look at how the Susan G Kommen dropping Planned Parenthood thing took off like a firestorm… that’s the idea.

[aarpaso]

we should take post 1091 send it to every news paper in the country.

and i think a copy to the Speaker of the HOUSE.and the Senate. the Washington Post. if they can get 100rds of letters. talk to your family and friends,get those letters going.

if we keep hitting this not letting it fade away like the TWHBEA and BL folks want. the Horses being absued in those dark barns will see some light.

we have noticed OH yes we have noticed and we are coming.

i’m going to a dinner,i’m taking post cards,

Help the TWH,STOP the Abuse,Outlaw Chains ,Stacks.

ask everyone there to sign a card than in the mail it goes to the Spearker of the House.

so on and so on.

[WalkInTheWoods]

PlainandTall - that McConnell link is not current. I did click on the American Horse Defense Fund and it appears that their interest in soring was from a few years back. I am waiting until 9:00 to call them. Saving TWHs from slaughter is in their mission statement but their Equine Issues dropdown list does not mention soring. I cant see anything current on their site re:soring either since their 2009 article.

Thanks for the link. Will read it in a bit.

[Malda]

Well perhaps the end is beginning.

http://www.twheao.com/

“The TWHEAO Board of Directors at the May 15, 2012, Board meeting made a decision to remove all Performance Show Division classes from the TWHEAO sponsored shows.”

Performance meaning big-lick. Granted plantation shoes are still allowed, but it’s a step in the right direction.

[hurleycane]

[QUOTE=Plainandtall;6344923]
Walkinthewoods & Hurleycane- This link about Gov. Mitch McConnell you just offered

http://parsleyspics.blogspot.com/2010/02/tennessee-walking-horse-mitch-mcconnell.html

had a pretty good “LIST” at the end naming who besides the HSUS is fighting this. The fact that there are walking horse groups who use to word “SOUND” as a qualifier… (as opposed to…???) When a giant portion of the people involved with a certain breed adopt names about what they do that are so clearly defamatory of the other portion of the breed’s enthusiasts- I think it’s fair to say that it’s not JUST the HSUS fighting to bring an end to it.

Have you heard about the “Unity Committee” ?

Why would they develop such a thing?.. it’s not about the HSUS- it’s about people from within the breed who have had enough- and about them trying to get people to calm down and let them keep their stacks and chains.

http://www.walkinghorsetrainers.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76:whta-addresses-unity-committee-goals&catid=12:news--press-releases&Itemid=27[/QUOTE]

Very good link. What I got was WHTA is opposed to ANY limits and wants to “educate” the public. ANd now they want out of this unity committee which was founded on no limits and “educate” the public.

Who is it that has lawyers IN COURT on this???

I love Dr Gipson - he is really in the trenches trying to put an end to this madness. Roy Exum needs to do a write up on his man’s efforts.

[WalkInTheWoods]

Yes ! It is happening. Oregon and their Congressman Schrader rock.

[CFFarm]

Another light in the darkness. I just heard from one of the twhbea board members I emailed who was in transit from the semi-annual meeting and was encouraged to keep up the efforts to eradicate this division because they (the member) was in complete agreement.

[hurleycane]

TWHBEA is growing some big ones with this statement:

"The flat shod segment of the walking breed has grown tremendously due to the easy training of the breed, and the natural inherited gaits. Many people are able to maintain their horse without the aid of a professional trainer."

Boot the boys of WHTA!