cherokeemyluv

While reading one of my favorite Blogs "fugly horse of the day" or fhotd for short I came across a posting about the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and other so called "big lick" gaited breeds and a training concept called "soring." Soring is the practice of "The application of any chemical or mechanical agent applied to the lower leg or hoof of any horse that causes pain, or, can be expected to cause pain, for the purpose of "enhancing" the horse's gait for show purposes is strictly prohibited under The Horse Protection Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. SS 1821 - 1831)." according to the USDA. A link to an article was posted which lists the many different methods of soring including mustard oil, croton oil, salicylic acid, diesel, kerosene, collodion, pressure shoeing, chains, and road foundering. Some are chemical means while others are mechanical means, but all result in the same thing:a horse who snatches his feet off the ground with tremendous action and shifts the weight back onto his hindquarters making for a flashy specimen. While most Big Lick competitors may not use soring there are plenty of people who still do despite the increasing scrutiny and possible danger to the horses which ranges from colic to death. The full article can be read here if you have the stomach.

crazyhorse

This is really a very bad practice used by horse owners. People must be informed about this kind of practice so that they will stopped going for horse shows that are practicing "soring" for the horse to leap higher and run faster.

QuarterHorses

The industry is stepping up inspections and enforcement of rules to stop this. They x-ray the hooves and test for the chemicals. If they find out you are doing this they will strip the owner of awards and kick them out of the association. It is amazing people do this, but it is a win at any cost mind set.

Mustang

I say this is all about greed on winning. The owners will do anything, even to the point where they would have to hurt the horses just to have that prestige of winning. If only horses could speak then people will know how these helpful creatures will feel about soring.

cherokeemyluv

Technology has definitely helped in finding people who use these practices. Ultrasounds are now more portable and sensitive than ever. Its good to see they are still working hard to get rid of this.