TN Soring Investigation
Merlin ID: 291583
Caption
For the second time in four years, an undercover investigator with The Humane Society of the United States has documented trainers and groomers cruelly “soring” Tennessee walking horses to create an exaggerated and unnatural gait known as the “big lick.” This time, the investigation focused on ThorSport Farm in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, which is well-known and highly regarded within the big lick show world.
During the investigation, more than 70 wrapping samples were taken directly from horses whose legs had been slathered with caustic chemicals and wrapped tightly to cook the chemicals into their flesh and cause extreme pain. All samples tested positive for substances that have been banned from use in the show ring by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of its enforcement of the Horse Protection Act. At least two of the horses included in the investigation are entered to compete in the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, which starts Wednesday in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Credit
The HSUS
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