They are also the only breed about which a Federal Law has been passed.  The law pertains to the practice of “soring.”  Soring involves making the horse’s front feet extremely sensitive, by means of chemicals, chains, barbed wire, or other devices that make the horse want to pick up his feet (and avoid the pain).

For Tennessee Walking Horses, an animated gait is the ultimate sign of a quality horse.  Unfortunately, some people will do just about anything to try to achieve that goal.

Here’s a brief clip of some show horses in action.  “Give me some money.”

Two nights ago, ABC News ran footage, taken undercover, of some of the practices that go on in the Walking Horse Industry.  WARNING:  The footage is graphic.  For anyone who love horses, it’s awful.  CLICK HERE to see the video and accompanying story.

“So,” you may be wondering, “Is there anything that I can do?”

Glad you asked.  Here are some suggestions.

1.  Contact your congressman and senators. Don’t know who your representative it?  CLICK HERE to find out.  Congress needs to appropriate more money and resources to the United States Department of Agriculture so that they can expand their ability to inspect more shows, and particularly shows that are unaffiliated with any organizations.  The frequency and severity of the penalties imposed on those that chose to treat horses in this manner needs to be increased.

2.  Oregon Representative Kurt Schrader addressed this problem on the floor of the House of Representatives the day after the ABC Nightline program;  you can call and register your support with his office at (503) 588-9100.

3.  Representatives of both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners have met with various people in the walking horse industry, telling then that “soring” must be abolished (not just controlled).  You can, too.  CLICK HERE to go to the website of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association.

4.  Call the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and express your support for wiping out “soring.”  You phone the AAEP office at 859-233-0147, Fax them at 859-233-1968, or e-mail them at aaepoffice@aaep.org

Pressure can work.  For example, PepsiCo has just dropped sponsorship of a big show due to the video footage.  CLICK HERE to read about that story.

People do lots of things to horses in the name of performance. That’s the name of one of my articles – CLICK HERE to read it.  What’s going on in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry is unique to that breed, but there are abuses in many equine performance disciplines.  Trying to eliminate “soring” from the Walking Horse Industry is a good start.  Horses give us the best that they have – they deserve the same from us.

CLICK HERE to see the entire article in the London Telegraph.

DR. RAMEY NOTES:  So, as you probably hoped, the nicker that warms your heart is not necessarily just because it’s feeding time.

PS – If you can’t get enough nickering and want to download one of any number of horse ringtones CLICK HERE.

PSS – There are a couple of other great links in the London Telegraph article, including one about priceless items relating to horses from the Queens’ collection going on display.  CLICK HERE to read that one.

Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) virus, New Jersey serotype, was confirmed in horses on an equine premises in Otero County, New Mexico.  This is the first detection of active VS in the United States since June 2010.  Two horses from the affected premises were sampled on April 18, 2012 after vesicular lesions were observed in both animals.  The New Mexico Livestock Board initiated an epidemiological investigation and the index premises is under quarantine.  Three unaffected horses located on the index premises have been isolated from the positive animals.  There are no known traceouts from the premises at this time.

California Movement Restrictions

All horses, cattle and swine originating from a state where Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) has been diagnosed or visiting an infected state and then returning to California (except cattle and swine transported directly to slaughter), must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection that includes the statement:

“The animals represented on this certificate have not originated from a premises or area under quarantine for vesicular stomatitis or a premises on which VS has been diagnosed in the past 30 days.  I have examined the animals and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis.”

The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) may require horses coming from a VS- infected state test negative for VS within the past thirty (30) days to enter race tracks and/or CHRB approved training centers. For further information and requirements, contact CHRB at 916-263-6000.

For more information CLICK HERE.

DR. RAMEY NOTES:  Vesicular stomatitis crops up occasionally, probably spread from Mexico.  It’s not a fatal disease, and there’s no vaccine, but it’s a pain.  To learn more about the disease, CLICK HERE.

The article focuses on one person, and one area – I wonder if they are going to expand the scope.  I don’t think it would get any prettier.

CLICK HERE to read the article.

CLICK HERE to read the article in the New York Times, March 24, 2012 edition.

DR. RAMEY NOTES:  The article is horrifying.  It is also reflects the worst-case scenario.  I personally think that there’s a lot that should be done to make things better for racing horses, but the problem is not limited to these horses, either.  See my article, “In the Name of Performance.”