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Read comments (5)The event is set for April 11-12 at the Hilton Garden Inn and is sponsored by Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Horse Protection Association, Friends of Sound Horses and the Humane Society of the United States.
Described as two days of "stimulating conversation and action," the goal of the conference is to accelerate progress to end soring "by bringing all interested people together to share ideas, increase knowledge, resources and action plans."
Discussion will include the challenges to enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, technology for future enforcement, proposed research that is needed, detection pressure shoeing, how to prevent soring and other related topics.
The Equine Affaire will also take place in Columbus on April 10-13, which will feature training clinics, seminars, breed exhibits, among many events as those attending the Sound Horse Conference will enjoy special seating at the Pfizer Fantasia horse musical performance.
Soring refers to cruel short-cuts used instead of legitimate training methods to exaggerate a Tennessee Walking Horse's natural high-stepping gait in the show ring. Horses are inspected for signs of soring prior to competition, and are disqualified if the are found to have been sored.
Disputes between trainers and federal officials over the inspection process plagued the industry during 2006, resulting in the cancellation of the World Grand Championship class at the Celebration, but the 2007 horse show season appeared to go much more smoothly.
From more information about the conference, e-mail data@fosh.info or call (800) 651-7993.
Annie.....don't believe the naysayers.....thre are good sound horses showing. The inspection process is rigorous everywhere Walking Horses are shown. Even to the point of being so unfair that the sound horses sometimes are not allowed to show. It's almost like a witch-hunt........everyone is guilty......if the horse moves for any reason he is automatically deemed to be sore. Let me ask a question.....horses are taught from the time they are started to yield and give to pressure. Does it not make sense that they will move when a total stranger is poking and prodding on their feet TRYING to make them move? A normal sound horse will sometimes move in response to palpation to the pastern area....especially young horses, who haven't figured out that the correct response to this game is to stand like a statue in complete reversal of what all his training has taught him....to yield to pressure. Showhorses are taught to stand, but when you use logic and common sense, this is just backwards to everything they have been taught from day one.......and so, to my way of thinking, if they move from time to time, maybe it isn't because they are sore but because for a moment they have reverted to basic training.....especially if they are young horses. We spend hours teaching them to yield to pressure and then all of a sudden we DON'T want them to yield......doesn't make sense to me why they ALL don't move when palpated.
Yea right, I'd like to see them do a sound horse show in Tennessee. That is like seeing a show inspector in Mississippi (that mysteriously never makes because they get lost). And AnnieCycle2 the answer to your question is $$$$$$$ and lots of it. A real report needs to expose who owns these horses who DO want and allows soring to sooth thier sick egos and expose what businesses they own and boycott them big time. Like, Ritz Carlton hotels, Home Depot, Oceanspray, caterpiller, former Pacific Lumber, car dealers, realtors, your doctor.. yea right...Which won't happen And..a soring we will go, ya, di, da, di da..
Why wouldn't breeders and TWH trainers and show people, prefer sound horses and breed for the ideal - soundness and high action? (If that is the intent)
During the years I hauled around to the big shows I watched the gaited horses put on an awesome performance. Every now and again I'd actually see a good performer puff up into super animation as they passed a group of especially loud applause...something I had never seen in my breed.
Why wouldn't 'they' conduct a 'Sound' horse show in Bedford county? The alternative is the 'Unsound' horse show.
Why wouldn't breeders and TWH trainers and show people, prefer sound horses and breed for the ideal - soundness and high action? (If that is the intent)
During the years I hauled around to the big shows I watched the gaited horses put on an awesome performance. Every now and again I'd actually see a good performer puff up into super animation as they passed a group of especially loud applause...something I had never seen in my breed.
Why wouldn't 'they' conduct a 'Sound' horse show in Bedford county? The alternative is the 'Unsound' horse show.
The day they conduct a "Sound" horse show in Bedford county, will be the day it falls off the map.