More “Big Lick” trainers suspended; take action

In a commentary published on June 10, 2019 in The Daily Herald Newspaper of Columbia, TN, CCABLAC (Citizens Campaign Against “Big Lick” Animal Cruelty) Founder Clant M. Seay writes concerning flagrant horse soring in Tennessee Walking Horse competitions:

It’s not “a few bad apples; rather the entire barrel of apples is rotten. The “Big Lick” is no better than dog fighting and cock fighting. All who practice or support it are guilty because animal cruelty is absolutely necessary to create and maintain the “Big Lick” gait. There was no truce over Civil Rights in America, nor will there be a truce over “Big Lick” animal cruelty. Horses do not have a voice, so we protest for them until the “Big Lick” animal cruelty no longer exists.

More recently, in a post published on September 11, 2019, Seay informs us:

ALL top three Celebration Trainer BOYZ — Mr. Rodney Dick, Mr. Herbert Derickson and Mr. Gary Edwards — are about to go on USDA Federal Suspension for alleged “HORSE SORING” (“Big Lick” Animal Cruelty to ‘Big Lick” Tennessee Walking Horses), along with the Walking Horse Trainers Association “Trainer Of The Year”, Mr. Phillip Trimble, it sure looks like the whole bowl is chock full of “bad apples”.

Seay had already reported Dick’s suspension:

World Grand Champion “Big Lick” Trainer BOYZ Mr. Rodney Dick upholds “Tennessee Tradition” of going on the USDA federal suspension list for alleged “horse soring” shortly after the conclusion of this year’s Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.

In the face of the continued failure of the current law to effectively protect the Tennessee Walking Horse from soring, how can the U.S. Senate fail to pass current legislation that will effectually end it?

S.1007 — The PAST Act of 2019

S.1007 currently has 45 cosponsors. We need a minimum of 60 to give this bill a glimmer of hope. More would be a huge advantage. Why?

A U.S. Senator (possibly more than one; the Clerk wouldn’t specify) has put a “hold” on S.1007 in order to prevent the bill from getting a vote. 60 Senators are required to invoke cloture, a procedure used to break a hold and get a bill its rightful vote by the full Senate.

Action to Take

Type up what you want to say. Go to Senate.gov and find your two Senators. If you don’t know who they are there’s a drop down box where you can sort by State. Click on their links to go to their pages. Click on the email link. Copy and paste your message. Send.

Alternatively, you may phone the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. You will need to know your Senators’ names before calling.

Speak from the heart. This will impress your lawmakers more than anything else. If you have any questions email us at info@horsefund.org or ask us in comments below.

The House version of this bill passed 333-96 due to your participation and hard work. Let’s rid these horses of the extreme cruelty of soring.

Thank you.

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FEATURED IMAGE
Rodney Dick competing in the 2017 Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration on this year’s 2019 Grand Champion, I’m Mayhem.  Photographer Unknown.