Jerry Harris of Cable Channel 6 was among the media present for the viewing. Harris filmed the pastern area of the mare both shown and turned down by federal officials during the 68th annual National Celebration. Herbert Derickson explained the Scar Rule as trainer Vicki Self held the reins. (Photo by René A. Capley) [Click to enlarge]

Ballet dancers, marathon runners, baseball players: all athletes who compete in healthy bodies of great endurance. Compared to professionally trained Tennessee Walking Horses, these athletes, according Shelbyville trainer Herbert Derickson, all have one thing in common: proof of their training work called calluses.

Derickson and other trainers who competed at the 68th annual National Celebration launched a campaign Wednesday to inform the public about the truth behind horses turned away from competition during the show.

"Any athlete that uses a part of his body to perform will eventually earn a callus. Anybody using a part will. If you repeatedly perform an action, a callus will appear," said Derickson to those gathered at his Shelbyville training facility.

"I have two young sons and I hope that one day they can show this horse without the problems that I've encountered," he said during an examination of a horse not allowed to compete. Jerry Harris of Cable Channel 6 filmed the event. "I want them to one day be able to say that 'My dad made a difference'.

According to Derickson, scars would be visible from the side view of the pastern area. Scarring is not present at this angle on this mare. (Photo by René A. Capley) [Click to enlarge]

"What if Rosa Parks had never gotten on that bus and taken a seat?" Derickson asked. "Each one of us (trainers) has a responsibility to the breed to stand up and make a difference in this issue. We have to do something now to insure the future."

Derickson's response to the controversy regarding the USDA Scar Rule began when several horses, both under his training and others, were cited for having scars during competition. These horses, according to Derickson, could be turned down from the show ring on one day for having scars and then allowed to show the next. He believes that the "scars" reported are actually "calluses" and should be called such by the government and other officials.

Pointing to the pastern area of a horse on display for the media, Derickson noted that the horse had no scars present. When touched, the calluses could be felt but a scarred area was not apparent.

"How do we (the walking horse industry) know where the standard is?" Derickson questioned. "By all appearances this horse is well in compliance with the Scar Rule but was written up by VMOs at the Celebration."

Derickson had a copy of the USDA Scar Rule Handbook available for viewing during the media session. The same opportunity was presented at five barns within the Shelbyville area. Horses that were passed for showing by the DQPs present but declined for showing by federal VMOs were on display for pictures, touching and viewing.

"These horses are clean and unblemished," Derickson said. "If these horses, or any horses, were scarred, the hair would not grow back on that scarred area. A callus will grow hair because it is a grouping of tissue that will disappear. A callus is temporary. A scar is ugly and permanent."

Derickson began the tour immediately following the Celebration's 10-day event despite vacation plans with his family.

"This is very important," he said. "I don't want to always battle to get my horses through the inspection station. Our breed is not a scarred industry. It is clean."

Derickson admitted that in the past there were horses that warranted the regulations of the federal government. He believes that while those days are not a necessity today, regulations are still valuable for the overall well being of the industry.

"It doesn't matter what the sport is," he said, "there is always someone who will not follow all the rules. Like steroid use in athletics, there is some infraction in everything. I believe that in this industry everyone is trying to do the right thing. We are complying to the rules."