[QUOTE=walknsound;6376816]
http://news.yahoo.com/major-veterinary-groups-call-ban-action-devices-performance-150008032.html
Finally![/QUOTE]
I will remember this day forever. Many thanks to the AAEP and the AVMA. This is BIG.
the Tennessean is running the news of AVMA and AAEP,with pictures and the video of Jackie the Jerk.
twhbea, is yelling fowl, the dirty birds
i say end the PERFORMANCE Classes (performance package) classes end soring.
http://news.yahoo.com/major-veterinary-groups-call-ban-action-devices-performance-150008032.html
Now people get it.
And I am sure some will be surprised to read that the professional Vet associations had not ever made such a strong statement about the TWH action devices. I think mostly cause they feared the non soring folks (trotters) would be swept up in the resulting regulation.
But finally folks see this is exactly what it will take - professional condemnation of the stacking and chaining of the TWH to put an end to this.
And I still believe it is gonna take more than just the Veterinary groups speaking up. Keep working on breed associations and professional horsemen associations and farrier associations and governing bodies to step into the ring!
Link to the article aarpaso just mentioned: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120615/NEWS21/306150051/Veterinary-groups-seek-ban-horse-soring-devices?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE&nclick_check=1
Quote from the article: “Funding limits keep the USDA from attending all horse shows. A bill before Congress would raise funding from $696,000 to $5 million annually for the program.”
Wow, that’s quite an increase! Let’s hope it goes through!
Great News!!!
Major Veterinary Groups Call for Ban on Action Devices, Performance Packages in Tennessee Walking Horse Industry
http://news.yahoo.com/major-veterinary-groups-call-ban-action-devices-performance-150008032.html
MORE GREAT NEWS!!!
“Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now! HUN! We’re On The Mover Move!!!” Mafdden & Whitehead
[B]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association Join Veterinary Groups’ Call for Increased Protections for Tennessee Walking Horses
Congress Urged to Ban Action Devices and Performance Packages[/B]
WASHINGTON (June 14, 2012)—The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association applaud and join the call by two of the nation’s largest veterinary groups for a ban on the use of action devices and performance packages in the training and showing of Tennessee Walking Horses.
These implements have long been associated with the cruel practice of “soring,” which is the intentional infliction of pain to horses’ legs to force them to perform the exaggerated show ring gait known as the “Big Lick.” Despite the practice being outlawed since the passage of the federal Horse Protection Act in 1970, many industry participants have continued to resist enforcement and schemed to evade detection.
“We applaud the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners for taking a firm stance against these unnatural devices that are used as part of the abusive and illegal practice of soring to inflict pain on horses – all for the sake of a blue ribbon,” said Michael Markarian, chief program and policy officer for The HSUS. “Congress should pass legislation to ban these devices, bringing us one step closer to eradicating this cruelty for good.”
“The inhumane practice of soring has been going unpunished for far too long,” said HSVMA veterinarian Susan Krebsbach, D.V.M. “We join our veterinary colleagues and equine advocates nationwide in calling for an enforceable ban on these cruel devices.”
The most common form of soring is performed by applying caustic chemicals to the pasterns (ankles) of show horses, making the area extremely sensitive so the horse lifts his front legs high off the ground in reaction to the pain. Performance packages, known as “stacks,” are nailed to the horse’s hoof to add weight and height – forcing the horse to lift his feet higher and strike the ground harder, at an abnormal angle. The stacks are also often used to conceal sharp or hard objects that have been inserted into the soft tissue of the horses’ hooves to increase pain and obtain the desired gait.
There is abundant evidence that soring is still practiced among the top ranks in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture took a much-needed step to strengthen Horse Protection Act enforcement by finalizing a rule requiring agency-certified horse industry organizations to impose uniform mandatory minimum penalties on violators of the act. To fully protect horses as Congress originally intended, legislation is needed to outlaw action devices and performance packages, increase civil and criminal penalties, and eliminate industry self-regulation.
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Media Contact: Stephanie Twining, 301-258-1491 , stwining@humanesociety.org
Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your iPhone by searching “HumaneTV” in the App Store.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization – backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty – On the web at humanesociety.org.
The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association was formed as a home for veterinary professionals who want to join together to speak out for animals, engage in direct care programs for animals in need, and educate the public and others in the profession about animal welfare issues. The HSVMA is an affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States.
word has it twhbea is working hard in DC to STOP that Bill,so we need to keep the heat up on our Sen. call call call e-mail send a fax.send a post card.
do what ever it takes. the SORING has to stop.
Remember the Law of Unintended Consequences.
If all action devices are banned then lots of show horses, who can only perform with these devices, will be rendered valueless. What do you think a person who would sore up a horse to win will do with a mouth that just costs money?
This is not an argument to keep the action devices (I consider them abominations) but only a warning of what can easily happen if this comes to pass.
G.
court date is june 26 2012, Fayette county ,should have press coverage.
word has it that twhbea going to send in lobbiest to stop $$$$ going to USDA.after the AVMA and AAEP called for a stop to stacks and pads, action devices. they (twhbea) may be get some support from other breeds ie ASB and Morgan.
this battle is not over.just gettting heated up.
read the tennessean reporter Tony Gonzalez
Court date above for animal cruelty charges against McConnell in Fayette county.
[QUOTE=walknsound;6378907]
court date is june 26 2012, Fayette county ,should have press coverage.
word has it that twhbea going to send in lobbiest to stop $$$$ going to USDA.after the AVMA and AAEP called for a stop to stacks and pads, action devices. they (twhbea) may be get some support from other breeds ie ASB and Morgan.
this battle is not over.just gettting heated up.
read the tennessean reporter Tony Gonzalez[/QUOTE]
It’ll be a sad day if the ASB and Morgan people get into bed with the TWHBEA over this.
Their time, energy and money would be better spent working with the AVMA and AAEP to educate the lawmakers about the differences in the breeds and training methods employed among them.
If they WERE to lend support to the TWHBEA my first reaction will be to cancel my ASHA membership with a letter telling them exactly why I’m doing so.
[QUOTE=GaitedGloryRider;6378925]
It’ll be a sad day if the ASB and Morgan people get into bed with the TWHBEA over this.
Their time, energy and money would be better spent working with the AVMA and AAEP to educate the lawmakers about the differences in the breeds and training methods employed among them.
If they WERE to lend support to the TWHBEA my first reaction will be to cancel my ASHA membership with a letter telling them exactly why I’m doing so.[/QUOTE]
I’m really afraid they will. Lots of moaning and groaning from ASB peeps much to my dismay. Heaven forbid they take their stretchies and wedges away. Meanwhile I recently watched an ASB show online where in a class of 6 adult horses nary a one was sound and the second place winner was 3 legged lame. sigh So far removed from normal, they apparently can’t see it.
That is very disheartening to hear sunridge. In my area the Saddlebred peeps have a pretty good reputation, and many of the ones I’ve talked to look upon the BL scene with utter disgust. While I don’t show myself, or even own a SB right now (used to, hence the reason I’m a member and I just keep renewing) I’m a long-time boarder at a Saddlebred barn and spend a lot of time running between show barns hauling horses, taking horses to shows etc. The ASBs I see in the circles I travel are sound, happy, and just lovely animals.
neither group AVMA or AAEP spoke of any other breed,just the Tennessee Walking Horse was mentioned. so ASB/ Morgan ect. should not be worried unless they need to clean up something in their own backyards so to speak which can be done NOW,just check their RULE books. fix it.
[QUOTE=GaitedGloryRider;6378925]
It’ll be a sad day if the ASB and Morgan people get into bed with the TWHBEA over this.
Their time, energy and money would be better spent working with the AVMA and AAEP to educate the lawmakers about the differences in the breeds and training methods employed among them.
If they WERE to lend support to the TWHBEA my first reaction will be to cancel my ASHA membership with a letter telling them exactly why I’m doing so.[/QUOTE]
Agreed 100%
I can’t believe the ASB and Morgan people would hop into bed with the TWBEA over this after having spent decades distancing themselves from even the flat shod walkers because of the BL foolishness.
I hope they will not be so foolish as to ruin their reputations by taking up for those Big Lickers when so many sound flat shod walking horse supporters finally feel we might have the BLs (and their flat shod imitators) on the run. FINALLY!
Roy Exum’s take on the exciting new developements.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2012/6/15/228339/Roy-Exum-Veterinarians-Decry-Horse.aspx
THANK GOODNESS the Vets have finally spoken up. I hope they get on some serious and indisputable testing on the effects that the Performance Packages have on the animals that wear them, even WITHOUT the soring. That crap needs to be outlawed!
:yes:
[QUOTE=aarpaso;6379050]
neither group AVMA or AAEP spoke of any other breed,just the Tennessee Walking Horse was mentioned. so ASB/ Morgan ect. should not be worried unless they need to clean up something in their own backyards so to speak which can be done NOW,just check their RULE books. fix it.[/QUOTE]
You are quite correct. But if you read the HPA it doesn’t mention ANY particular breed. So if all you do is change the HPA to reflect the AAEP/AVMA position then that position will affect all other horses in the U.S.
If you amend the HPA to apply only to Walkers you open the door to other breeds to being to use practices not used to date.
So the rule makers have to thread the narrow waters between Scylla and Charybdis. That is not always an easy task. Public servants are not always noted for an enthusiastic response to difficult tasks. So a fear of overstepping and/or ineffectiveness is not unfounded.
G.
