Animal advocates protest ‘big lick’ Tennessee Walking Horse cruelty

Walking Horse Big Lick. Google image.

WZTV NASHVILLE | by Cindy Murphy | 25th Aug 2022 Animal advocates protest against cruel practice involving chains attached to the horse’s hoof and boots used to give horses an exaggerated gait. Animal Welfare Advocates with the grassroots Citizens Campaign Against “big lick” Animal Cruelty (CCABLAC) have announced that they will peacefully assemble at the… Continue reading Animal advocates protest ‘big lick’ Tennessee Walking Horse cruelty

“Big Lick” horses win in court. Can they get a break from Congress?

I'm Mayhem competing in the 2017 Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Former U.S. President Donald Trump in January 2017 improperly blocked a new USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service rule meant to protect show horses from taking effect, ruled a three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on July 22, 2022. The appellate court verdict,… Continue reading “Big Lick” horses win in court. Can they get a break from Congress?

Ban horse soring

Image from 2015 HSUS Horse Soring Investigation.

Horse soring should be banned outright. The objective of soring is so horses will perform in an exaggerated high stepping gait known as “the Big Lick” in order to win ribbons in competitions. The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (S. 2295) was introduced to the Senate to combat the inhumane practice of “soring” horses.… Continue reading Ban horse soring

Big Lick horses: Training babies

Image from 2015 HSUS Horse Soring Investigation.

When training horses for human-imagined and -staged competitions, it often begins when the horses are very young. It is no different with sored or “Big Lick” horses and heartbreaking. The jerky, unnatural high-stepping gait called the “Big Lick” is induced through what is called horse soring, achieved only by inflicting unconscionable pain on a horse's… Continue reading Big Lick horses: Training babies

Painful “Big Lick” Tennessee Walking Horse show season kicks off amidst COVID-19

Horse soring "stacks" on the front hooves of a Tennessee Walking Horse at Big Lick competition. HSUS.

WASHINGTON, DC, USA, June 8, 2020 /EINPresswire.com/ — By Marty Irby While the nation is grappling with the COVID-19 crisis and seeing major protests in response to the killing of George Floyd, animal protection advocates continue to grapple with the various crises and abuses that those we work to protect face each day, including the ongoing… Continue reading Painful “Big Lick” Tennessee Walking Horse show season kicks off amidst COVID-19

Mayor green lights Maury County “Big Lick” horse cruelty show

The 75th Walking Horse Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee on August 29, 2013.

MAURY COUNTY, TENNESSEE — According to the New York Times, Tennessee is fourth in the United States where Covid-19 new cases are increasing. Tennessee is just behind the States of California, Virginia, and North Carolina which lead the country. On May 21, 2020, local horse show managers announced that a three day “Big Lick” walking… Continue reading Mayor green lights Maury County “Big Lick” horse cruelty show

Horse whisperer speaks up for sored horses

Horse soring "stacks" on the front hooves of a Tennessee Walking Horse at Big Lick competition. HSUS.

WVLT-TV reports that American Horse Trainer Monty Roberts has reaffirmed his commitment to end soring as Tennessee Walking Horse events prepare to resume. Soring is the act of intentional infliction of pain to a horse's legs or hooves in order to force the horse to perform an artificial, exaggerated gait. Roberts, known as "the man who listens… Continue reading Horse whisperer speaks up for sored horses

Quote of the Day

I'm Mayhem competing in the 2017 Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration.

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. Horses do not have a voice, so… Continue reading Quote of the Day

More “Big Lick” trainers suspended; take action

I'm Mayhem competing in the 2017 Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration.

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”… Continue reading More “Big Lick” trainers suspended; take action

Take Action for Sored Horses

Tennessee Walking Horses peers from his stall during search for proof of horse soring. HSUS image.

S.1007 — Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2019 Contact both of your U.S. Senators in Washington here and ask them to cosponsor S. 1007, the Senate version of the PAST Act which passed the House 333-96. We have a much tougher job ahead in the Senate. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Sen. Mitch McConnell are geared… Continue reading Take Action for Sored Horses