This was posted on a blog: http://fuglyblog.com today, but it is something I’ve been meaning to address for a while, especially as we have had several Tennessee Walking Horses in the past.
There is about a 10-minute video on the soring practices of Tennessee Walking Horses- the link:
#!
Please watch this so you are aware of what happens to these poor animals under the guise of “showing.” Tennessee Walking Horses were bred to be calm, mellow animals that could carry an individual for 8 hours (on plantations and over long distances) with a smooth gait. They were NOT bred to have chains and 6-inch shoes nailed to their feet while having the equivalent of piano wire stuck into their mouth.
The training methods of these “show trainers” are what literally destroyed my horse- and this has kept him from being a normal boy, even today. It took YEARS to get him to be the cute guy we all know and love today, but I honestly believe that there will NEVER be a day when I will get on him and not wonder if he will panic because he thinks he is going to be hurt again.
For more information:
Thank you for caring!
Elizabeth Zarkos
President, Hanaeleh
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