Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH), a national organization that fights abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses, has analyzed five years of data on Horse Protection Act (HPA) violations that resulted in over 3,800 suspensions since 2002. The violations include soring, scarring, pressure shoeing and the use of foreign substances on horses’ legs.
Suspensions For the Period 2002-2006 Percentage of Soring
Tennessee 40.4
Kentucky 13.3
Alabama 8.8
The violations most frequently leading to suspensions were scarring (39.5%) and soring, which included violations involving one or both front legs (49%).
For more information about FOSH, visit www.fosh.info or call (800) 651-7993.
I believe these practices are appalling and from what I have read in the past it sounds as though more needs to be done to end these practices. I only hope that FOSH can become even more vigilant.
The abuse of the TWH has gone on far to long. Any owners who use any of the methods mentioned should have their horses taken away. And be banned from showing for life. The Walking Horse of his/her own have beautiful gaits, My mom once owned one, Why go to such excesses, of the breed was meant to gait at those extremes they would have been born that way. Same goes for the Saddlebred. I have seen it, watched it, and I stopped going to the shows because I can’t support shows that allow this to go on.