I grew up in Bedford County, the heart of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Although I actually would have preferred to focus on hunter-jumpers, I ended up owning and showing a pleasure-shod TWH. I was lucky enough to ride under the tutelage of the infamous and wonderful Betty Sain, the first woman to ever win the Tennessee Walking Horse National Grand Championship. Her farm was located directly across the street from ours.
Betty spoke out early and often and simply wouldn't shut about the huge problem of "soring" these beautiful, gaited horses for the show ring. Her outspokenness eventually cost her her career and her farm. Other trainers, making their money off broken, hurting animals, didn't like what she had to say.
Today, soring is supposedly under control due to USDA oversight and regulation, but according to this VERY INTERESTING INFO FROM "NASHVILLE IS TALKING", it's still a huge problem.
I encourage everyone to read this info before attending the national championships, known simply as "The Celebration" that begins in Shelbyville this week.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment