Tennessee Walking Horses

 

Photo from cowboyfrank.net

I wanted to write a blog about horses this week.  While reviewing recent news articles, I came across this one regarding the abuse of Tennessee Walking Horses.  These majestic horses are known for their gait, a ‘running walk’.  They are popular riding horses because of their smooth gait and gentle nature. 

 

Photo from thescoopblog.dallasnews.com

However, the show horses are trained to accentuate their gait into what is called the “Big Lick”.  This is an exaggerated walking gait and often cruel methods are used to achieve this gait.  It seems that some trainers will place chemicals on the horse’s legs that cause severe pain, padded (weighted) horseshoes, and chains in order to train them to this gait.  This training is called Soring.  Here is a link to a video by the HSUS showing their undercover investigation into one trainer, who is was given 3 years probation and fined $75,000.  Warning:  This video is very disturbing. 

 

 

The Horsechannel.com states “In the mid-20th century, unscrupulous trainers began to employ cruel techniques now known as soring in order to achieve an even higher, more exaggerated gait that drew throngs of spectators and won blue ribbons. By 1970, the problem had become so widespread that a federal law was enacted to try to put an end to it. The Horse Protection Act has been in place ever since, but according to the agencies charged with policing the Walking Horse show circuit, the abuse still occurs.”

Unfortunately, this act has not done enough to protect the Tennessee Walking Horse and an amendment to prevent all soring tactics is being reviewed. This act got a boost when the president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association supported it.  There is some concern for the future of this breed because of these unscrupulous training methods. 

 

Photo frm www.tennessean.com

There is a humane way to train these animals.  Horses trained under this method are called Natural Walking Horses.  Here is an example of some humane training methods.  Natural walkers won’t do the “Big Lick” gait because it is not natural to them.  Their natural walking gait is just beautiful.

 

 

I learned something new today and wanted to share it with my readers.  Natural is better and kind treatment of animals is the way to achieve this.  All animals are sentient beings.  They need to be treated as such. 

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri