enlightened horsemanship through touch

From an October 30 article on Kentucky.com of the Lexington Herald-Leader by Janet Patton:

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association asked to participate in the exhibitions at the Kentucky Horse Park at the World Equestrian Games next fall (Sept. 25 to Oct. 10, 2010). WEG Chairman John Long says the board decided to allow them.

But, according to Jamie Link, WEG 2010 Foundation CEO, controversy surrounding certain aspects of breed management led the board to refund the TWH group’s $20,000 deposit and deny them exhibition space after all.
The games will highlight the National Walking Horse Association, which prohibits devices and practices that exaggerate the horse’s natural gait.

We recognized there is some controversy surrounding that breed. We made the decision that it’s not in our best interest to provide a showcase for a controversy like this.

–Jamie Link, WEG 2010 Foundation CEO

Some performance walking horses are trained in a stylized high-stepping show gait, called the Big Lick, for competitions. This can involve the use of illegal devices, such as padded shoes and chains, and toxic substances to make the horse’s feet sore. “Soring” practices are banned under the Federal Horse Protection Act, occasionally enforced by the USDA.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association had agreed not to bring any walking horses in padded shoes or chains, and guaranteed that none of the horses in the exhibit would be “sore.” However after deliberation, the WEG Board ultimately decided that though the Tennessee Walking Horse is representative of Kentucky Culture, the group was not the best fit for the WEG. Link went out of his way to emphasize that the WEG board wants to support the Tennessee Walking Horse Group’s efforts to rehabilitate its image and reform its training methods.

If you’re lucky enough (or smart enough to plan) to go to the Kentucky Horse Park for the WEG in September and October of 1020 for the WEG, stop by and see the natural Tennessee Walking Horses of the National Walking Horse Association and lend them your support. I think they are up against an ingrained and insidious cultural institution and can use all the support they can get. They certainly deserve it. LIkewise, efforts by the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association to change their regulations and to enforce those changes in their culture should be applauded.