SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100

Friends of Sound Horses’ conference runs this weekend in Florida

This weekend’s conference will feature panel discussions on the topic of soring, the illegal practice of causing pain to a horse’s legs and feet to increase the high-stepping show ring gait that is performed in some Tennessee Walking Horse show divisions.



Topics include the truth about ending soring, equine drug testing standards, gaited horse biomechanics, new technologies in detecting soring, and what you can do to help.  Panelists include veterinarians, horse show judges and trainers from different segments of the gaited horse industry.  Additionally, Pat Parelli will be a panelist on the keynote topic of humane trends in the horse industry after his Friday night horsemanship demonstration. Other panelists of note include singer/songwriter Mary Ann Kennedy and 16-year-old April Zendarski, who, with other members of her Girl Scout troop, created a well-circulated video publicizing the practice of soring.



In addition to the panel discussions, the conference includes the “Sound Trainers Luncheon.” Several trainers from around the country specializing in the humane training of gaited horses for a wide variety of equestrian disciplines will offer presentations, and conference attendees can join in the discussion with the trainer of their choice.

FOSH’s mission is to bring an end to soring and to promote sound, naturally gaited horses for pleasure and show. For more information, visit www.fosh.info.

Horse Illustrated

Horse Illustrated is the magazine for people who are passionate about horses. Each issue offers advice on horse health and care, plus user-friendly training tips for both English and western riders and engaging lifestyle features for horse lovers.

View Comments

  • Yay! I hate it how people can be so cruel to thier own horse, just to win a tiny little prize. I hope this helps end the problem once & for all!

  • I think they should stop having gaited shows. Then there would be no reason to sore. And I don't like what they do to the tails either.

  • I own a Tennesse walker, I woul NEVER sore him, I will never even break his tail, he is already is BEAUTYFUL.

  • I have always rode Quarter horses and said I would never have a gaited horse. I now have a Tennessee Walking named Jake. Jake was abused that is why I got him. They are great animals, with their natural gait. God gave these horses a gift, let them show it the way it was intended without the chains, broke tails and soring..

  • I own Tennessee Walking Horses, and I agree that soring is a terrible way to treat horses. However, I take exception to the way that all other breed owners/trainers, etc. point fingers at the Walking Horse people as if they never do anything against the horses. How many Quarter Horses have you see with concrete blocks tied to their halters to make them hold their heads down? How many 3-5 Gaited Horses have you seen spooked with fire crackers, fire extinguishers, etc to make them have that "bug eyed look"? Also, 3-5 Gaited Horses are worked in chains & shackles, who is checking on them? I'm not saying the Walking Horse industry is clean (far from it), I'm just saying that the COMPLETE HORSE INDUSTRY needs to clean up.

Recent Posts

AHP Equine Industry Survey Returns in 2025

Horse owners who live in the United States, are 18 years of age and older, and currently own or manage…

2 days ago

Is My Horse Cold? – An Excerpt from Keeping Horses Outdoors by Iveta Jebáčková-Lažanská

Is your horse cold in the winter? The following excerpt from Keeping Horses Outdoors by Iveta Jebáčková-Lažanská helps answer that question…

2 days ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Hali

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

3 days ago

Common Horse Training Mistakes

These four common horse training mistakes are easier to catch and correct when you’re aware of them. As a clinician,…

4 days ago

All About the American Warmblood

If you appreciate sport horses of many different breeding backgrounds, types and colors, the American Warmblood will unite you with…

6 days ago

Waste: ReImagined – ZahnTech Repurposes Waste for a Permanent Fencing Solution

LENNOX, S.D. — Every great innovation begins with a moment of clarity, and for ZahnTech's founder, Avery Zahn, it came…

1 week ago