A new undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States revealed that workers at a nationally known Tennessee Walking horse training barn used caustic chemicals on horses’ front legs to produce an artificial high-stepping gait that wins competitions. This cruel practice, known as soring, is common in the Tennesse Walking horse industry. The horses were filmed being whipped, kicked, shocked in the face, and violently cracked across their skulls and legs with heavy wooden sticks during and after the application of chemicals. Policies must be strengthened in order to stop this horrific, yet standard practice.
Soring has been illegal for more than 40 years under the federal Horse Protection Act. However, due to a flawed system industry of self-policing and lax penalties, this practice continues to thrive. Industry judges reward the artificial gait, referred to as the “Big Lick,” encouraging the continuation of this practice. The chemicals are so caustic, horses often fail to stand up, and suffer more abuse as callous workers hit them until they get up.
A 2010 industry audit by the USDA Office of Inspector General revealed that trainers go to great lengths to avoid detection of soring. The audit concluded that harsher penalties are needed, and the system of self-policing must be eliminated.
Unless action is taken to better regulate this industry, innocent horses will continue to suffer excruciating pain. Urge Congress to strengthen policies in the Horse Protection Act to end the horrific practice of soring.
