purplefdu

The Humane Society of the United States has announced it will offer a 10k reward for information leading tot he arrest and conviction of anyone soring in Tennessee, a state that is considered a hotbed of soring, which is illegal in all 50 states since 1970.

Responses can be called in at 866-411-TEAM (8326) and the identity of callers will be protected.

Snap

What's soring? I think I've heard of it before, but I don't actually know what it is. Is it to do with training methods to make a horse walk a certain way?

dreamer

Soring is when the horse is trained through pain. It intentionally causes pain in the hooves of a gaited horse to improve their gait. It's mean and cruel. It can be done with chemicals or other means but in either case it means that every step the horse takes causes pain.

I'm glad the HS is taking such drastic measures.

Estelle

I was unaware of this practise until I read this thread, because I have never been involved with show horses. This makes me sick-I can only say that I hope that those involved in chemical soring DO get sick from the chemicals they have been handling. That would be only the start of what they deserve.

Aintree

I'm appalled to read this! I had no idea that trainers would resort to such practices. I suppose it's akin to a bad jockey using the whip to urge the horse on. I know that the whip is supposed to be used just as a guide so the horse will keep his head front and keep a straighter line and not veer into other horses, but some jockeys use the whip to physically hurt their horse.