tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883131984088123932.post7513584912626835355..comments2023-09-30T06:12:39.272-07:00Comments on For the Tennessee Walking Horse: THOUGHTS - Where Do We Go From Here?For the Tennessee Walking Horsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136282847284092947noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883131984088123932.post-38726408783426359252013-08-27T23:29:21.325-07:002013-08-27T23:29:21.325-07:00No problem, JJ! I appreciate your story. It'...No problem, JJ! I appreciate your story. It's great to hear that those folks took that horse off the pads and gave it a better life. Whether we like it or not, the stacks are not safe for a horse. They point the toe downward and the horse has to stand on them 24/7 with no relief. This can cause serious damage to the entire leg, shoulder and back. There is also proof that rotating the angle of the hoof actually cuts off blood pressure, and the letter that went with the Auburn Study in 1982 said that there are more instances of thrush, contracted heels, laminitis, and other lameness issues in horses that wear stacks.For the Tennessee Walking Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00136282847284092947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883131984088123932.post-42150114469620592432013-08-27T14:14:01.239-07:002013-08-27T14:14:01.239-07:00This is such a well thought out post, I can tell t...This is such a well thought out post, I can tell that you truly put your heart and soul into this cause, which I think is just awesome!<br /><br />I grew up riding AQHA and Morgan horses and then in middle school, my became best friends with a girl whose family owned a TWH farm. My friend (still my best friend in our 30's) :). dragged me to all of her shows in Michigan, and then when she got a fabulous mare, started riding Plantation Pleasure and equitation and just cleaning up. She showed the mare at the Celebration and actually took home the title of WGrandCha. on her plantation mare (NEVER sored). <br /><br />I remember they purchased a padded mare one year in TN., and brought her back home to their farm. Before they took her pads off, I rode her. I'm ashamed to say :(. Anyway, they took her pads off and showed her flatshod until she was sold.<br /><br />So...there is absolutely no point in my stories above...just thought I'd share :) Love the blog and wanted to just let you know! <---sorry, I'm at work and getting tons of interruptions.JJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876732061083507317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883131984088123932.post-73605930693814662032013-08-26T18:23:29.850-07:002013-08-26T18:23:29.850-07:00Thank you SO MUCH Debbie for your comment. That r...Thank you SO MUCH Debbie for your comment. That really helps to solidify what I have been seeing, and what I believe others are seeing as well. I'm glad to hear from you and really appreciate your input. Let's hope we can see a new appreciation for the sound TWH soon.For the Tennessee Walking Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00136282847284092947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7883131984088123932.post-18073732734373018842013-08-26T14:55:42.754-07:002013-08-26T14:55:42.754-07:00Thank you for your post. I was raised with TWH'...Thank you for your post. I was raised with TWH's and going to the Celebration. I now have my own horses and am against the stacked shoes, twisted wire and extreme shank bits, and definitely any form of soaring, blinding, etc., used in "training". Yes, my family still has the box at the celebration that we have had for about 70 years. I almost gave it back this year, but, still hold hope that a new dawn will happen. I don't have a lot of hope for the celebration because the "way to do it" is so ingrained and of course, money is involved. I'm not sure yet what I will do for next year, but I can say that we went Friday night to a truly terrible show. We left early because it was impossible to sit there wondering which horses were in pain or have had to be in pain just to be in that arena. I would happily pay the bucks to see the shows with versatility, bringing in other breeds and activities, and even some flat shod if inspected by outside inspectors. I understand the explosiveness of the whole subject, but, am glad to see you put forth good points for solutions, not bashing. I LOVE my foundational TWH's and continue to strive to see this side of the TWH world grow. Like the American Quarter horse, their abilities are endless. It may take moving a national show for the TWH to another section of the country and take it out of the hands of those that greed and ignorance is bringing the celebration to it's knees. So sad, because as you pointed out, going to the shows were indeed celebration and joy of being together and loving horses for us. The "blinders" are off and if losing this tradition is the only answer to save the Tennessee Walking Horses, so be it. Hopefully, with everyone working together, we can change things for the better. Thanks for your blog. You are doing a good job! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05077177146945804761noreply@blogger.com