HOW YOU CAN HELP - We Need Your Signatures for This Letter To Various Horse Organizations

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO CONTACT YOUR CONGRESS PERSONS!

And please do it more than once to emphasize the importance of this to be passed!

Go to www.senate.gov and www.house.gov and go to the upper right corner to find your Congress person.

Hello fellow sound horse warriors and friends.

To keep the momentum going to garner support for H.R. 6388, one of the posters on our Facebook group suggested writing letters to various horse associations and organizations that are outside of the TWH/SSH world to get more support.  I thought this was an excellent idea.  With the poster's permission to borrow her idea, I decided to take this a step further and put together a letter that we all can sign.

I did want to make this more than just a petition.  A petition is usually written to demand a change or to take action for or against certain activities, organizations or individuals.  What we're looking for is support for H.R. 6388.  So instead of creating a petition, I created an online document via Google Drive that people can comment on to give their support.  Basically, commenting will give me permission to include your name on the letter.  On November 6, I will close the comments and will send off the letter via email and snail mail to various horse organizations.

Here's how it works.

• Go to this link to view the letter: CLICK HERE.
• To comment, choose the gray Comment box in the upper right corner.  All you have to say is something to the effect of, "My name is Midnight Sun, and I am giving permission to use my name on this document."
• I'm not going to include any further comments other than your name to keep the letter short.
• You don't have to have a Google account to comment, but please use your real name in the comments.  Using a false name does not help our cause.

PLEASE COMMENT BY NOVEMBER 6, 2012.  I've chosen Election Day because it'll be easier for people to take the time to pay attention to the letter after the elections are over.  And it's an easy day to remember to comment by!

Since we have lots of moles and trolls out there that read this blog, I'm not going to include the names of the organizations here.  I don't want them to end up being harassed by people who are against what we're doing here.  I will be sending letters to various breed associations and riding organizations, and even if they don't send in their support, we can at least educate them about the situation, and they might just pass the information along to someone who will send in their support.

Thanks everyone!  And THANK YOU for being FOR THE HORSE!

NEWS - For the Tennessee Walking Horse Facebook Group Update

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO CONTACT YOUR CONGRESS PERSONS!

And please do it more than once to emphasize the importance of this to be passed!

Go to www.senate.gov and www.house.gov and go to the upper right corner to find your Congress person.

Hello sound horse warriors and friends.

I made the decision to list the FTTWH Facebook group as "Closed."  This means that the group can be found via a search on Facebook, and people can see the description of the group and the members in it, but they cannot read the posts.  This was my own decision, not with any of the other moderators.

The first reason I did this is because I've heard of some outside Facebook hacking going on that has nothing to do with our fight against soring that could affect the group member status.  I believe it is part of a group owner's responsibility to take steps to make sure the group does not get attacked by hackers.

The second reason is because of the continued outside attacks on this group and people reposting our posts when we are leaving everyone else alone.  I will say that I fight back now and again and I'm just as guilty sometimes of causing problems, but then again at least I admit to my guilt and don't take a holier-than-thou attitude.  I also have to say that it says a lot to me about "their" character that they have to start all of it by using our posts against us.  They call us "terrorists," "fruitcakes," "insane," "tree-huggers," "bunny-rubbers," and the stuff they call me personally...well, let's just say it signals to me that they're afraid because the fight continues and won't stop until soring is gone for good.  And I must say, I'd rather be called a tree-hugger or a bunny-rubber than a horse-abuser or horse-abuse-supporter!

Anyway, I am sure there are plenty of people on the group who act as moles and/or trolls on the Facebook group who will "report back" to those they think need to know what we're saying.  But at least with the group being closed we'll be able to weed them out if necessary.  And we still allow anyone to join who wants to join.  There are currently eight people banned from the group who were banned because of their behavior (cursing, personal attacks, etc.) rather than whether they agree with stacking and/or soring or not.

I still encourage everyone to join if you're on Facebook, however.  A lot of people post a lot of information on there, and sometimes I have a hard time keeping up on this blog!  It's amazing how many people are out there who truly want to save the horse.  I believe that those of you who are true sound horse warriors will want to join to know what we're doing to end this atrocity, and we can always use your help to do so!  Click here for the link to the group.

Thanks for all your support, everyone, and keep up the good work!

THOUGHTS - Rise Above the Hate

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO CONTACT YOUR CONGRESS PERSONS!

And please do it more than once to emphasize the importance of this to be passed!

Go to www.senate.gov and www.house.gov and go to the upper right corner to find your Congress person.

Dear sound horse warriors and friends,

This is something that I posted on our Facebook group tonight, but I wanted to post it here to reach a wider audience.  I hope it helps put things in perspective for everyone and helps set the standard for saving the horse.

I just dealt with something this evening that is akin to Internet bullying because, as usual, I don't like the BL and am against soring.  As many of you already know, I get LOTS of Internet attacks because I'm trying hard to help end soring.  But tonight it got to me.  People found it necessary to attack me on a FB group that the moderator, who I know, created so people could bitch and complain all they want.  It's not TWH related--it's just a place for horse people to vent.  Various people were posting pictures and videos of people with horses and pointing out how bad they were treating their horses or what morons they were making themselves look like.  No one was attacking anyone else.  However, I post a picture and talk about it, and two of the people on the group attack me directly, and the moderator did nothing about it.  Fine.  If that person wants to run that page that way then whatever.  I left the group so I won't be tempted to post on there again.  (I had already left once for the same reason before but came back to try again...fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me! :) )

But you know what? I just ran across this video.

In this video, Jennifer said: "The internet has become a weapon...and this behavior is learned." We just witnessed this on FB, where the moderator of another FB group that supports the HPA violators continues to copy and repost posts we make on our FB group and invites folks to call us terrorists, fruitcakes, and all kinds of nasty names.  It seems the Internet has become a shield--people feel they can hide behind their monitor and spew hate all they want.  And yes, I've used that shield myself.  But you know what inspired me just now was that Jennifer showed us that we can rise above the hate.  She showed us that TOGETHER, we can stop this.

For every one person who loves the look of the sored horse, who cheers on HPA violators such as Jimmy McConnell, Chad Way, and Gary Edwards, there are 10 more who are disgusted by it and want to see it end.  WE MUST USE OUR VOICES TO STOP THIS. T he response to Jennifer's video has been overwhelming, and we need to see the same response to HR 6388 and to the sound horse community.  If you are sound: stop going to sore horse shows.  If you are REALLY For the sound horse and are in the BL community, DEMAND to SHOW, TWHBEA, PRIDE, whomever that they TRULY stop soring.  Don't let them just pussyfoot around and continue to make all of you look like helpless fools.  Don't let their lies be yours.  Storm their offices, bombard them with letters, MAKE THEM STOP IT BEFORE THE USDA DOES IT FOR YOU.  Tell them you want to see rules that will actually eliminate the sorers, such as lifetime bans after three strikes, things like that.  You WILL lose your precious BL if you don't make the trainers accountable for their actions.  And for all of us who want to see the FS and BF horse succeed and be the true strong side of the TWH, MAKE IT HAPPEN.  Put your money where your mouth is--join NWHA, FOSH, send in class sponsorships, host a garage sale to raise money for them, host a clinic in your area to raise money.

I challenge each and every one of you to do one thing this week: to make an effort that is more than just sitting behind a computer screen.  Pick up the phone and make a call to your Reps and Senators to ask for support for HR 6388. P ick up your checkbook and send in a $10 donation to FOSH or NWHA.  Heck, even a $5 donation is something.  Find a local SOUND gaited horse show--one that is not affiliated with anyone but FOSH or NWHA and that does not have heavy shod or BL horses in it--and volunteer to work the gate, pass out ribbons, or work the office.  We cannot allow these monsters to continue to win the battles with their money and lies.  Horse slaughter was made illegal in the US, which means we can see a REAL end to soring if we work hard at it.  I hope each of you will consider this challenge.  Feel free to comment on what you do, and let's take Jennifer's positive attitude and carry it with us!

NEWS and ARTICLES - Mullins Resigns From SHOW and More

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO CONTACT YOUR CONGRESS PERSONS!

And please do it more than once to emphasize the importance of this to be passed!

Go to www.senate.gov and www.house.gov and go to the upper right corner to find your Congress person.

Our Facebook group continues to be hot and jumping with news about the World of Soring.  Here's the latest.

SHOW President Resigns at Sept 27, 2012 Board Meeting

From the Walking Horse Report.  Now keep in mind, most board members/officers are in office for six years with most associations.  Mullins has resigned after three.

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Subject: Mullins Resigns From SHOW

The Report has learned that Dr. Stephen L. Mullins has resigned his position as President of the SHOW HIO. Mullins informed the SHOW board of directors at their meeting on September 27, 2012. Mullins has been the President of SHOW since 2009. Mullins will continue in his current role through the end of 2012 and will continue to support the SHOW HIO in an advisory capacity in the future.

During the board meeting Mullins thanked the board for their trust in him and read the following letter to the board of directors.

SHOW Board,

In November 2009, I gave up my Veterinary Practice and was honored to become President of SHOW HIO. I believe we, the TWHNC and SHOW have made great strides inside this industry. It has been a long winding road and this industry still has many hurdles to get over but I believe the industry is definitely headed in the correct direction.

I am very grateful to this Board for allowing me the freedom over the last 3 years to do the things which I and the advisors thought needed to be done. I also realize that quite often when tough choices had to be made on certain suspensions or when other circumstances came up, this Board stood behind my decisions even though it was potentially hurting this Board and its horse shows. I for one have come to know that the integrity of this Board is beyond what even I expected and for that I will be eternally grateful.

I can go on forever about my gratitude to this Board and to the TWHNC, but simply want to say thank you for your support throughout the last 3 years.

However, I am asking this Board to allow me to transition out of my position. I believe the industry has reached a point where it is time to move in a different direction. I also know that I personally have reached a point where I physically and mentally need to change. I also know that you will be approached with a new proposal for SHOW HIO within the next few weeks. I believe this will help the Celebration with the financial burden of SHOW and will also potentially get the TWHNC out of the inspection business.

I believe I need to remain at my position through the end of the year. This will get us through the Fall horse shows. We will then have appeals and hearings to get through and then will potentially have a new transition. I will then be glad to stay in an advisory role with SHOW and would be honored to help the Celebration in any way possible in the future.

I just want to say a simple, humble “Thank you” to each and every person on this board and to this great horse show. I hope I have done each of you the job this great horse show deserved and I will again always be grateful.

Sincerely,
Dr. Stephen L. Mullins

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As someone from our Facebook page pointed out, first he says, "I believe the industry is definitely headed in the correct direction."  But later on, he says, "I believe the industry has reached a point where it is time to move in a different direction."  So which is it, Mullins?  Are they doing good or bad?

This letter is very vague, of course; I'm wondering what this "new proposal" is going to be.  But overall, it sounds like a polite summation written by a rat deserting a sinking ship.  So, let's keep our eyes peeled on what HPA violator they'll put in charge next!

Next, Jackie McConnell will soon be tried under Tennessee state animal welfare laws with the same counts of animal cruelty from the Federal case.  Click here for the article.  The court date has been bumped to November 13.  This gives us plenty of time to send in emails and calls to the judge's office to ask for the maximum sentencing possible.  Good things to ask for are for a lifetime ban of owning, training and boarding horses, and a hefty fine to go with either some jail time or community service.  If that can't be achieved, perhaps house arrest with supervision when going to doctor's appointments would be a good option.

I do want to point out that Jackie was convicted in March (I think that's right--I could be wrong on the month), but the new law making animal abuse a felony didn't go into effect until July 1.  So please note that he will not be tried under the new law.  TOTALLY sucks, but hey, it's all about timing.

To contact the judge's office:  
Call the Fayette County Courthouse at 901-465-5205; ask for Mike French or his assistant, Melissa Douglass.
Email melissa.douglass@tncourts.gov Attn: Mike French, Mcconnell case. If your email gets kicked back, call the above phone number.
(Thanks to Robin P. from Facebook for getting this information!)

McConnell's name was not erased from the Celebration as they promised.  We all heard that the Celebration banned Jackie McConnell and stripped all traces of him from the show grounds.  But ho, what is this?  A clearly defined trophy called the Odel McConnell Memorial Challenge Trophy that is sponsored by him and his wife, written plain as day in the Celebration showbill.

Seems that money's the key, not who gives it to them.  Apparently the McConnells paid for this trophy some time ago, but the Celebration neglected to take his name off of it as a sponsor.  Will wonders never cease?

We have some very good news for the horse, because now several owners are being investigated concerning the McConnell abuse case.  Click here for the article from timesfreepress.com, which is copied and pasted below.

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Horse owners could be next in soring prosecutions
September 23, 2012
By Pam Sohn

As a famed Tennessee walking horse trainer begins his federal probation and prepares to defend himself against 17 state misdemeanor charges related to soring, a new battle line is forming for possible prosecutions of horse owners.

For now, that fight seems to be unfolding around eight horses seized March 1 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture from Jackie McConnell's stable near Collierville, Tenn., and now sequestered by the Humane Society of the United States.

The state cases — all charging cruelty to animals — have been taken by 25th Judicial District Attorney Mike Dunavant.

Affidavits in the case detail dozens of instances of abuse suffered by seven horses in McConnell's care, some of which were among the eight seized. Those instances include:

• From March through May 2011, an undercover operative saw McConnell or his stablehands apply soring substances to horses' legs on more than a dozen occasions — at least twice while owners watched.

• McConnell was observed beating a horse on the head with a large stick.

• McConnell twice used a "hot shot" cattle prod on a walking horse referred to as a "field colt" while a stablehand rode him.

McConnell and two stablehands, John Mays and Jeff Dockery, face 17 counts of animal cruelty involving different types of abuse including soring and stewarding. Soring is the use of caustic chemicals and chains on the horses' legs and feet to induce their exaggerated "big lick" gait. Stewarding is training the animals not to show pain.

The new charges, Dunavant said, allow officials to investigate how much owners knew and whether they participated in the alleged soring of their horses.

Dunavant also said state law provides that a court may prohibit people convicted of animal cruelty "from custody, possession, or ownership of any animals in the future."

Authorities say the seized horses still are in Tennessee, but they are in the custody of the Humane Society.

Keith Dane, the society's equine director, said the horses are "being well cared for pending the outcome of the cases."

According to affidavits signed by USDA investigator Julie McMillan, the horses have not always been so safe.

On five different days an undercover operative watched as McConnell oversaw his workers putting substances on a horse named Master Streaker. On one occasion, the horse's owner also watched, according to the affidavit.

In late spring 2011, Mays told the operative that "croton" had been applied to the pasterns of Master Streaker. The operative saw that the horse "exhibited observable signs of physical pain."

Later the same day, Master Streaker was seen "standing in her stall, repetitively picking up her feet and standing in the 'bucket stance,' which is indicative of soring. Later in the day Master Streaker was seen lying down in her stall on her side with her legs stretched back."

The following day, "the undercover operative overheard a conversation between John Mays and Jackie McConnell, where Mays tells McConnell that when he went to get Master Streaker from her stall, she would not move. McConnell asks Mays if she is 'paralyzed' and Mays says 'yes.' John Mays tells the undercover operative that Master Streaker is 'sore' from the 'croton' and that 'she ain't used to it yet,'" according to an affidavit.

Moving cases forward

On Friday, Dane applauded the state's interest in the owners of the seized horses.

"We don't have the authority to charge, of course, but we do believe that some of the owners of the horses that were in the barn when this investigation went on ... did have culpability," Dane said.

He said some of their horses previously had been ticketed for soring while being trained by McConnell.

"That should tend to suggest that they had known he was soring horses in the past, but they continued to leave their horses in his training and care," Dane said.

Last week in federal court here, McConnell was sentenced to three years' probation, fined $75,000 and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service for the USDA.

Dane said it's unclear what eventually will happen to the seized horses. The owners of at least one horse have sued the Humane Society, but Dane said he doesn't know the details of the suit.

Authorities say each horse is valued at $50,000 to $75,000.

Dunavant said the federal convictions against McConnell, Mays and Dockery will not increase any future state penalties against them if they are found guilty on the state charges.

A state Class A misdemeanor conviction can draw up to 11 months and 29 days in Tennessee. But McConnell, with no prior criminal record related to the current charges, "is statutorily presumed to be a qualified candidate for a suspended sentence and probation," Dunavant said.

Soring now is a felony in Tennessee, but when these charges were brought, it was a misdemeanor, according to authorities.

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And, click here for the arrest warrants explaining the events that are the state claims of McConnell abusing animals.  WARNING - very graphic.  Might be a bit difficult to read.

Two owners, Joe Privett and Leslie McGowan witnessed their own horses, Taj Mahal and Cash Sweep, respectively, being sored right in front of them and did nothing about it.  And the industry says owners don't know what's going on...

Finally, the HSUS has put together a really nice fact sheet about HR 6388.  Click here for the pdf.  The HSUS has told us it's okay to send this to our legislators to help explain why we need this to pass.  And feel free to pass this on to your friends to help them learn more.  We need to keep HR 6388 in the spotlight to make sure it passes!

Thanks again to everyone who is keeping up the fight to save the horse.  We have to help everyone learn more and make sure we have tons of help to stop this horrible practice and make the industry stop the lies and continue breaking the law.

NEWS and ARTICLES - McConnell Sentencing

The verdict has come down: $75,000 fine to be paid in 9 months and 3 years probation.  He must also write a letter "on the soring of horses, telling about the pain it causes and the longterm effect as well as the type of people who seek out others to sore horses. The letter is also to state how widespread the practice of horse soring is." (Chattanoogan article, copied and pasted below)

While this isn't as big as everyone wanted, it's still huge.  This WILL hurt McConnell, and it's a clear message to the rest of the industry: the government is no longer playing games and is serious about ending this atrocity.

Although I can't figure out how Greenholtz can call McConnell a "man of integrity" and "honesty" when he deliberately broke the last for the past 30 years and abused animals to do it...  Anyway...


Here's my $2 worth. (I don't say cents because we all know it will be more than a couple of pennies!)

The sentencing may seem like it's not much. But $75,000 is going to RUIN McConnell, as is a 3-year probation that I'm sure is going to be closely watched. This is not a person who has $75K lying around--he's going to have to sell stuff to pay it. This is a man who's built his livelihood on abusing animals, and now he's paying the very serious price. I imagine that now they're going to go after the $150K he owes from the first 5-year probation, and that's going to hurt even worse.

This is also a very clear indication to the industry that 1) the gov't is no longer going to stand back and not do anything about this and "trust" the industry to do their job, and, 2) they aren't going to get a slap on the wrist anymore when they're caught soring horses.

This sentencing opens the door for more prosecution and stronger sentencing to come. The judge and the prosecution attorneys are serious about this law now, and this is going to affect the entire industry and get more and more of these monsters into the courtroom and away from the horses.

This sentencing also opens up the gates for HR 6388 to be passed. Anyone who watches the HSUS video will realize that soring is widespread and that the current HPA does not have enough teeth. This sentencing will make the legislation want to see stronger penalties.

The TWH BL has become a HUGE black spot on the horse community at large. It is a small percent of the TWH world, but that percentage has been babied and doted upon to where it is the prominent image of this breed, and now new blood isn't going to come in. These people were warned for many years to end soring, but they wouldn't do it. Now they're going to pay for it, and no one feels less sorry for them than me. This sentencing should show them that 1) we all know their big giant horrible secret, and 2) there is no longer any place to hide.


A HUGE thank you goes out to Steve Neff for his hard work on this case, and Judge Sandy Mattice for seeing the truth behind this horrible man.

The Chattanoogan: Sept 18, 2012 - McConnell Gets $75,000 Fine, 3 Years Probation In Horse Abuse Case (text is copied and pasted below)

Timesfreepress.com: Sept 18, 2012 - Tennessee walking horse trainer Jackie McConnell gets three years of probation, $75,000 fine

Timesfreepress.com: Sept 18, 2012 - Co-defendants in federal horse case get probation

HSUS website: Sept 18, 2012 - The HSUS Responds to Federal Court’s Sentencing of Former Tennessee Walking Horse Trainer Jackie McConnell

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McConnell Gets $75,000 Fine, 3 Years Probation In Horse Abuse Case
Tuesday, September 18, 2012, TheChattanoogan.com


Federal Judge Sandy Mattice on Tuesday afternoon ordered Jackie McConell to pay a $75,000 fine and be on probation for three years for horse abuse.

Attorneys for the Collierville, Tn. trainer said he will need to sell some of his assets to pay the large fine.  The judge gave him nine months to do so.

He must also write a letter on the soring of horses, telling about the pain it causes and the longterm effect as well as the type of people who seek out others to sore horses. The letter is also to state how widespread the practice of horse soring is.



McConnell also must forfeit a 40-foot horse trailer that was seized.

Prosecutor Steve Neff asked that McConnell no longer be allowed to own horses, but Judge Mattice ordered that he inform probation officials on his ownership and involvement with horses during the probation period.

The prosecutor said McConnell exhibited "a complete disregard for federal laws over a period of over 30 years."

But attorney Tom Greenholtz said, "Mr. McConnell is a man of integrity. Mr. McConnell is a man of honesty. This is not the worst man in the world."

Those in the audience included former Senator Joseph Tydings, who was the sponsor of the Horse Protection Act in 1970, and Keith Dane, director of equine protection for the Humane Society of the United States.

Mr. Dane said afterward that the trainer "has shown no remorse. For decades his income was based on the torture of horses."

He said the federal law protecting horses "was passed 42 years ago and this is only the third person who has been convicted. Only one has gone to jail." Previously, trainer Barney Davis got a one-year sentence and $4,000 fine in Chattanooga Federal Court. His prison sentence was based on obstruction of justice, rather than the horse law.

Former Senator Tydings said horse owners in Tennessee and Kentucky "for decades have tortured horses by altering them with a phony gait that is based on violent cruelty to the horses. In Tennessee, the officials have known what is going on, but they have done nothing about this 'big lick.'

"It's been about the culture, the money, the celebration. They don't give a d--- about the poor horses."

In the McConnell case, both sides had agreed that he would receive probation. Judge Mattice asked a number of questions about that condition, asking, "Why should my hands be tied?" After a long discussion and a recess, he said he had decided to accept the plea agreement "in toto."

Attorney Greenholtz said the 60-year-old McConnell has a number of health issues and has "no income" since the U.S. Department of Agriculture put down a lifetime ban against him taking part in the horse industry about a month ago.

He said his health insurance costs $1,200 a month and medication from $350 to $600 a month.

Prosecutor Neff said McConnell on numerous occasions had been able to go around restrictions put on him after he was caught soring horses or set up others to do so. He asked for the same restrictions under the probation as is being set down by the Department of Agriculture. But the judge did not go that far in his order.

He said with McConnell "I think this really is a lifetime ban. I think it is different this time."

Judge Mattice noted there had been "a media blitz" about the case and he had received hundreds of letters both for and against the defendant.

The case gained widespread attention after the Humane Society obtained a secret videotape showing McConnell abusing horses. It was the subject of a TV documentary.

Two other defendants, Jeff Dockery and Joseph R. Abernathy got probation. They also are to write letters on the subject of horse soring.

Dockery, 54, said McConnell set him up as a trainer and paid for his application. Abernathy, 30, said he is a farrier who was not involved in soring but in transporting horses.

Abernathy said, "I do feel remorse and this will make me a better person in the end."

McConnell made a short statement in court, apologizing to his family, friends and co-workers.

The Humane Society afterward issued this statement:

“Like many others in the Tennessee walking horse industry, Jackie McConnell has a long history of abusing horses for the sake of a blue ribbon and the profits that go along with it. He and his associates were caught on tape using painful chemicals on horses’ legs, and whipping, kicking and shocking them in the face—all to force them to perform the unnatural 'Big Lick' gait in competitions. The Humane Society of the United States is grateful that the U.S. Attorney took on this important case and sent a message that soring will not be tolerated. It was our hope that McConnell would do prison time for these terrible crimes, but there are gaps in the federal law that need to be strengthened.”

In the wake of the McConnell case, The HSUS has worked with a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers on the introduction of legislation to strengthen the Horse Protection Act (H.R. 6388, the Horse Protection Act Amendments of 2012). We are calling on Congress to take action on the legislation in the lame duck session of Congress. The bill simply fortifies the current law, and the only reason anyone in the Walking Horse industry would oppose this legislation is if they want to continue to sore horses.

McConnell and two others are also scheduled to appear in court later this month to face 31 counts of violating Tennessee’s state animal cruelty statute.

Facts:

Although the Horse Protection Act was signed into law more than 40 years ago, the systematic abuse of Tennessee walking horses continues unabated. Trainers have devised a gruesome array of techniques to make it painful for these majestic horses to step down, so they will lift their front legs extremely high in the prize-winning, unnatural gait known as “the Big Lick.”

The state and federal charges against McConnell and his associates follow another recent federal criminal prosecution involving the practice of horse soring. In November 2011, former trainer Barney Davis pleaded guilty to violations of the Horse Protection Act. He was sentenced by a federal judge to serve more than a year in prison.

A 2010 USDA Office of Inspector General audit exposed how players in the walking horse industry work to evade detection, rather than comply with federal law and train horses humanely. The audit stated that the USDA needs more funding for full enforcement of the Act, and recommended stiffer penalties for violators and the abolishment of the industry’s failed system of self-enforcement.

H.R. 6388, the Horse Protection Act Amendments of 2012, co-sponsored by Reps. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., and Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Jim Moran, D-Va., will end the failed system of industry self-policing, ban the use of certain devices associated with soring, strengthen penalties, and hold accountable all those involved in this cruel practice.

U.S. Attorney Bill Killian said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes cases and enforces the law as it is written.  As presently constituted, the defendant’s acts of soring the horses are not themselves federal crimes.  They are misdemeanors under state animal cruelty laws.  The defendant committed federal misdemeanor offenses when he conspired to transport the sored horses and enter them into nationwide competitions.  He committed federal felony offenses when he instructed others to falsify horses’ entry paperwork at the shows to indicate that someone other than the defendant was the actual trainer of a horse.  He did this to shield himself from scrutiny as a result of having been disqualified from training and entering horses into competition by administrative sanctions of the USDA.  This five-year administrative disqualification stemmed from the defendant’s numerous previous violations of the Horse Protection Act."

The U.S. Attorney said McConnell in his plea agreement on file with the U.S. District Court in Chattanooga "admitted to conspiring with others to violate the Horse Protection Act in various ways. At all times relevant to the charges in the indictment, he was on suspension from entering horses into shows.  Nevertheless, he continued to train horses by soring, transporting, entering, and showing them at horse shows while on suspension.  He trained horses using illegal soring methods such as the application of banned chemicals to the horses’ pasterns, which caused painful burning to their legs.  McConnell then arranged for them to be taken to the shows, where he stayed on the grounds outside the warm-up areas, as required due to his disqualified status, and directed others how to show the horse. At the shows, he submitted entry paperwork which falsely stated that someone else was the trainer of the sored horses.  He took steps to camouflage the damage to the horses by instructing others to apply magic markers and other masking devices to the horses’ legs prior to inspection."

He also said, "The case arose from an undercover investigation conducted by the Humane Society of the United States, which resulted in the creation of evidence instrumental to the case.  The USDA Office of InspectorGeneral and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the follow-up investigation, including the execution of search warrants at McConnell’s temporary stables in Shelbyville and his barn in Collierville during the 2011 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration."

He commended Special Agent Julie McMillan, U.S Department of Agriculture, "for her initiative, persistence and diligence in investigating and highlighting this problem to the U.S.Attorney’s Office.  Her performance and the excellent work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steve Neff and Kent Anderson, resulted in this conviction, sentence and forfeiture. We will continue to investigate and prosecute cases involving violations ofthe Horse Protection Act as we do in other areas of federal law.  The impact in these cases has been far beyond any level that we might have imagined.”

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RESEARCH - Comparison of the Original HPA with HR 6388

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO CONTACT YOUR CONGRESS PERSONS!

And please do it more than once to emphasize the importance of this to be passed!

Go to www.senate.gov and www.house.gov and go to the upper right corner to find your Congress person.

Below is a document I prepared with the original HPA side by side with the HPA including the amendments of H.R. 6388.  The amendment changes are in red.  I talked about the changes that are most prominent in this post.  I also want to point out that the breeds of horses that will be affected are clearly spelled out in the amendment: Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses.  The changes will not affect other breeds that use pads  and bands on their horses because, quite frankly, they have not abused the privilege of using pads and bands like the TWH industry has.

If you're having trouble reading it, try your Zoom option in your Internet browser, or you can view the PDF of this comparison here.

Please remember: those who oppose this are clearly not for the horse or upholding the law.  I think it's obvious that those who oppose H.R. 6388 are in support of the abuse or are abusers themselves.  Let's do our best to stop these monsters by continuing to contact our Congress persons and letting them know we want to see the madness end, permanently.

NEWS, ARTICLES and HOW YOU CAN HELP - New Amendments Introduced for the Horse Protection Act - GET YOUR LETTERS OUT THERE!

THIS IS A CALL TO ARMS!

Everyone, we NEED your help on this!
We cannot let the industry use their money and lies to get these amendments ignored!

***EDITED - THE NEW AMENDMENT OUTLAWS STACKS!!!!***
Click here for the HSUS's press release which contains more details!

CLICK HERE FOR THE TEXT OF H.R. 6388

Today, U.S. Reps Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Steve Cohen (D-TN), with original co-sponsors Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Jim Moran (D-VA), introduced H.R. 6388, a new bill with new amendments the Horse Protection Act.

This is HUGE folks!  A Republican in Kentucky and a Democrat in Tennessee have joined forces to end this.  I think this is quite possibly one of the only times I've ever seen two side of the political spectrum come together to want to amend a federal law.  Plus they're from the two states where soring is most rampant!

Here is the linke to the article from Animals & Politics.  The article is copied and pasted below.

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Thursday, September 13, 2012
Lawmakers Seek to Strengthen the Horse Protection Act

Congress passed the Horse Protection Act of 1970 aiming to eliminate the cruel practice of “soring” show horses—applying caustic chemicals to their hooves and legs, inserting sharp objects, and using other painful techniques to force an artificially high-stepping gait, a form of cheating that gives those who engage in this abuse a competitive edge over owners and trainers who do not. Unfortunately, more than four decades later, soring and cheating continue to be rampant throughout the Tennessee walking horse industry, as exposed by a recent HSUS undercover investigation at the training barn of Jackie McConnell, one of the breed’s most celebrated trainers caught on camera beating a horse and painting chemicals on the legs to burn his flesh. Why? As awful as it sounds, to accustom the animal to pain.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and federal prosecutors have stepped up their enforcement of the law, and are working hard to prevent soring and bring criminal horse abusers to justice. But the law itself has some gaps, and is not strong enough to provide a meaningful deterrent for those who abuse horses in terrible ways just to win a blue ribbon. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Neff submitted a sentencing memo in McConnell’s case, saying "the sad reality is that the law passed by Congress does not possess significant teeth."

Fortunately, members of Congress are taking action to give the law more teeth, and to give inspectors and prosecutors the tools they need to crack down on soring and prevent this abuse once and for all. Today, U.S. Reps. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., and Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., with original co-sponsors Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Jim Moran, D-Va., introduced H.R. 6388, a new bill to toughen up the Horse Protection Act.

The legislation would eliminate the failed industry-run inspection system in which horse industry organizations currently license and choose who conducts inspections at horse shows, and instead would have USDA develop a roster of licensed inspectors, train them, assign them to shows, and oversee enforcement. It would explicitly ban certain devices used in the soring process on certain breeds, including chains designed to cause friction or strike a horse’s sore leg, and weighted shoes and pads attached in such a way as to painfully alter the horse’s gait. The bill would make the actual soring of a horse for the purpose of showing or selling the horse illegal, as well as the act of directing another to sore a horse for these purposes. And it would increase the criminal penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony subject to up to three years’ jail time, and increase fines to up to $5,000 per violation. For a third violation, it allows permanent disqualification from participating in any horse show, exhibition, sale or auction.

It’s clear that the current practice of essentially allowing the industry to police itself has failed miserably, and a new approach is needed. USDA swab tests on 52 random horses at the 2011 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration resulted in 52 positive findings for prohibited foreign substances. A 2010 USDA Office of Inspector General audit exposed how those in the walking horse industry work to evade detection, rather than comply with federal law and train horses humanely, and how the serious conflicts of interest by industry-selected inspectors have made enforcement hollow.

We are grateful to Reps. Whitfield and Cohen for introducing H.R. 6388 to turn this situation around and save these horses from a lifetime of abuse. Please contact your Members of Congress today. Urge them to cosponsor this much-needed reform and finally give horses the protections they should have had more than 40 years ago.

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Let's break it down a bit.

THIS WILL COST OUR LAWMAKERS ZERO DOLLARS TO IMPLEMENT.  Be sure to point that out in your letters!

The specifics are:

No more HIOs!  The USDA would use their current funds to "develop a roster of licensed inspectors, train them, assign them to shows, and oversee enforcement."  This is GOOD, since only three of the 12 HIOs are TRULY sound!

Chains will be banned!  It says "certain devices," but not exactly what they are, but it does specifically call out chains as being banned. Let's remember: 6 oz chains (allowed in the show ring) and 8 oz chains do not train a horse to step higher, as proven by Dr. Nicodemus below:

***NEW!  Stacks would be banned!  From the HSUS's press release:

H.R. 6388 also outlaws “stacks” and pads, known as performance packages, which are nailed to the horse’s hoof to add weight and height, forcing the horse to lift his feet higher and strike the ground harder, at an abnormal angle. The stacks are also often used to conceal sharp or hard objects that have been inserted into the soft tissue of the horses’ hooves to increase pressure and pain and obtain the desired gait. These devices have been widely condemned by veterinary groups, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.

Soring would be a felony! Currently it is only a misdemanor.

Increase in jail time and fines!  Up to three years in jail and up to a $5000 fine per violation.

Permanent disqualification for third violation!  This is over a lifetime and is not "renewable" every year.  Disqualification is from any horse show, exhibition, auction, or sale.

Soring at home would be punishable!  THIS IS HUGE: " The bill would make the actual soring of a horse for the purpose of showing or selling the horse illegal, as well as the act of directing another to sore a horse for these purposes."  There would be no more of the HPA only being useful if the violators are caught in public!

These amendments give hefty new teeth to the HPA, and they would make amazing strides in TRUE reform in the industry.  We know these animal abusers and animal abuse supporters are not going to change their ways--it's been proven time and time again as violations pile up every year.

Now, how to help!

Please go to this page on the HSUS website.  Here, you can submit a general letter to legislators that the HSUS has written.  You can add to it

Go to www.senate.gov.  In the upper right corner, choose Find Your Senator.  Be sure to have your complete 8-digit zip code to do this, which you can find on www.usps.com (choose Look Up a Zip Code in the left side toolbar).  When you look up your Senator, find the contact me page and add your letter.  You can use text from the HSUS letter if you need to.

Go to www.house.gov and follow the same instructions as above.  Choose Find Your Representative in the upper right corner.

This is my letter to my Senators and Reps.  PLEASE WRITE YOUR OWN.  I used text from the HSUS letter because it is simple, concise and easy to understand.

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Today, federal bill H.R. 6388 was introduced by Representatives Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Steve Cohen (D-TN ) known as the Horse Protection Act Amendments of 2012. I ask you to please support this bill. This legislation would require more meaningful enforcement by USDA to end the cruel and abusive practice of "soring" Tennessee Walking Horses (TWHs).

While we have a few TWH shows in Arizona, myself and others have worked to keep those who continue to sore horses out of our state.  But we need to see stronger penalties now to stop it in all states.

Congress first tried to address this problem in 1970, with the original Horse Protection Act.  Unfortunately, as acknowledged by USDA's Inspector General, veterinary organizations, and even TWH industry insiders, the law has been weakly enforced and largely ineffective, allowing rampant soring to continue.  In a sport that rewards the artificially produced high-stepping gait known as the "Big Lick," TWHs suffer appalling pain inflicted by unethical, law-breaking trainers who try to gain a competitive edge at horse shows by enhancing the breed's natural gait.  They use caustic chemicals, chains, hoof knives and grinders, sharp objects, weighted shoes, and other painful devices and techniques that make it hurt for the horse to step down and then they go to great lengths to cover their tracks and to push their legislators to defend the status quo.  A video released this year by the Humane Society chronicles undercover footage of abuse that is commonplace in the industry, yet industry insiders continue to deny it occurs.  Video link (warning - graphic footage): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxVlxT_x-f0

H.R. 6388 would amend the Horse Protection Act of 1970 to make it stronger and more enforceable.  The bill would eliminate the failed system of industry self-policing, explicitly prohibit certain devices that have been implicated in the cruel practice of soring, strengthen penalties, and hold accountable all perpetrators who are involved in this cruel practice. The bill is simple and does not cost the federal government any additional money.  It is designed to restore the integrity of this show horse industry, thereby saving jobs while protecting horses from torture and abuse.

For more information, please visit www.forthetwh.com or humanesociety.org.  Thank you for your support of this bill.

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Know that the industry is going to fight this to the bitter end.  They are going to shake hands and try to do deals under the table, trying to use money and their social influences to stop these amendments from being approved.  DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!  Write to your Congressmen once a week or even once a day if you have to!  We MUST get this amendment passed to save the horse!

NEWS and ARTICLES - And The Wheels Keep On Turning

Well, I guess the best I can do right now is post articles and some quick information about the aftermath of Black Week.  There is so much more to post, but I have to get everything gathered before I can do so.

To preface, so far the swabbing tests from days 2 through 10 of the show done by the industry/TWHSO have not been released.  SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE.  However, the USDA released this statement today:

Given the interest in the enforcement of the HPA at this year's Celebration, USDA wanted to post preliminary inspection results now, rather than at the end of the year. This year, USDA and DQPs inspected 1,849 horses and found 166 violations - an approximate 9% violation rate. This rate is slightly lower than the 9.5% violation rate from the 2011 Celebration, during which 2,143 horses were inspected and 203 violations were found.

That should blow that 98% compliance out of the water.  Oh wait, the industry will pad (pun intended) the numbers and make themselves look all innocent and sweet, of course.

Let's also point out that the amount is 1,849 horses at the show, not entries, and that's 294 less horses than last year.  They have not released the information on stacked vs. flat shod violations yet.  I'll post it once I get it.

The Celebration grounds were "a ghosttown," as one poster on the FTTWH Facebook group said.  Horses were being taken home every night and not kept in the stalls on the grounds...I think we can all guess why.  Horses that were kept in stalls had locked fencing around the barns to keep people out.  The stands were anywhere from 1/4 to 1/3 empty...the WGC class that is usually standing room only had HUGE gaps in the stands.  We have video proof of this.  The big question is: will the industry realize WHY and stop this madness?  My vote is no, they're going to continue to spread the same lies over and over again and continue to protect the abusers.  Or maybe the horses will get lucky this time around...

A HUGE deal right now is the below release from Steve Neff, the prosecutor and our sound horse friend in charge of the McConnell case.  This is sentencing memo asking for a five year probation for McConnell from owning, training, helping to train, or dealing with horses in any way.  The memo points out that the HPA doesn't have as much teeth as it should, and that the goal is to get the max possible sentencing due to his heinous crimes.  It's also essentially a warning to the industry.  The PDF is linked below.

United States Sentencing Memorandum concerning Jackie McConnell

Here's a great article that further covers the memo from the Times Free Press.

Soring prosecutor hits law, warns horse owners, traders

And most telling, Jackie McConnell and his wife sponsored a trophy at the Celebration this year.  HUH.  I thought his name was to be BANNED from the Celebration grounds.  Nice move, dumbasses.  Guess it doesn't matter where the money comes from, huh?

McConnell's sentencing was pushed to September 18th...you bet your ass we'll all be waiting with baited breath to find out what happens.  Of course, for many people, the max punishment won't ever be enough, but we have to take heart that this sentencing has come fast, and that it's become so public.  This is going to happen to other trainers, mark my words, and it'll be sooner rather than later.

I'm sure many people have heard about Ironwork's Tin Man.  Unfortunately, this stallion was so sore for the DQP inspection for the final class he was to be in that he could hardly walk around the cones as was deemed "crippled" by the attending vet.  Chad Way, his trainer, was immediately banned for two years and the horse was given a scar rule ticket--unfortunately, it was the best way the DQP and USDA could find to punish this particular case.  But what we really need to see is a LIFETIME ban for Chad Way the animal abuser.  He has 16 - yes, SIXTEEN - previous violations with two previous two year suspensions.  The good news is that the HSUS is looking into dealing with this situation.  Hopefully they will help rescue Tin Man and will press charges.  This is all I know, but when I find out more information I'll post it.

Right now, there is some controversy over whether Rood & Riddle, a local veterinary hospital, was paid to come to the Celebration and observe the inspections and "re-check" horses.  Dr. Hopper from R&R did come and was interviewed for the industry.  Unfortunately, R&R learned that the interview was taken completely out of context and the article written was skewed to make it sound like Hopper is pro stacks.  R&R released the following statement.  Click here for the webpage--comments can be added.

Rood & Riddle wholeheartedly supports the efforts of the AAEP and AVMA to eliminate soring and other intentional methods of inducing pain in the training and performance of Walking Horses.

Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital is unequivocally opposed to the soring of horses and fully supports the efforts of the AAEP and the AVMA to end this inhumane practice. It has come to the attention of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital that the Tennessee Walking Show Horse Organization had previously released a statement that the organization has retained Dr. Hopper to attend the recent Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration. This is not accurate. Dr. Hopper was not retained by TWSHO or any other organization to attend the Celebration. Dr. Hopper was invited by TWSHO to attend the Celebration horse show. He has no working agreement with the show or any other organization, has not and will not receive any compensation for his attendance, and has not agreed to any future obligations. Rood & Riddle is working with TWSHO to correct this error.

Dr. Hopper’s presence is testament to our belief that there is value in the restoration of the horses of the Tennessee Walking Breed to their original, once proud, plantation heritage. It is our belief that active veterinary involvement is paramount in bringing about positive change in the care of all horses.

Now it would be great if everyone would comment and ask them to PLEASE take a vocal stand AGAINST stacks the way the AVMA and the AAEP have.  That's what we really need more than vague language that they just support the AVMA and AAEP's stance.  Comments can be added here.

More important articles and opinion pieces are linked below.

Sept 7, 2012, Tuesday's Horse - Walking Horse Celebration war of words, soring and slaughter

Sept 9, 2012, The Tennessean - Gail Kerr: Tennessee walking horse soring won't stop until judging rules change

Sept 9, 2012, Horsetalk.co.nz - People continue to profit from soring – prosecutor* (I think this is an interview with Steve Neff...not sure on that.)

Sept 9, 2012, Horsetalk.com.nz - Grim picture of McConnell’s soring practices described*

*Both of these articles are from the New Zealand.

Probably the most important piece of them all:  Sept 10, 2012, The Chattanoogan - Roy Exum: Horses, The World And Us

Be sure to visit our Facebook group at this link.  That's where most of the information is being posted as soon as we learn about it, and feel free to let your voice be heard by asking questions and speaking your mind.  The horses need all the help they can get!

NEWS and THOUGHTS - Thank You

My friends, the horses have suffered through another year of torture.  I wish I could breathe a sigh of relief, but knowing these poor, brave animals will continue to suffer weighs heavy on my heart.

I think many people heard that Chad Way--who has 16 HPA violations to his name--was banned from the Celebration for two years for bringing a horse so sore to the show that it was deemed crippled (STILL can't figure out why Inman won't ban himself...)  May God bless that poor horse and help it heal and not be thrown to slaughter or into hands that won't end it's suffering, through either rehab or humane euthanization, if necessary.

Unfortunately, the WGC that won was Walk Time Charlie, and the poor animal is out of Chad Way's barn...make your own conclusions. Chad Baucom, the rider, has one HPA violation, with the last name Baucom having a total of 32 violations between Chad, Jeanette, Eddie, Bruce, and Baucom Stables.  This information is availble on the HPA database website.

HOWEVER...I want to say how proud I am of the USDA, the HSUS, and those of you who read this blog and are on Facebook who are working to spread the word and tell the public about this horrible tragedy that continues year after year. We must continue to do so next year, and we can soldier on and win this for the horse.  To those of you who went to the protest, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, although honestly, I really just can't thank you enough. A small protest is better than none at all, and when you start small, you can build and build until you're gigantic. God bless all of you for standing up for the horse!

Photo from t-g.com by David Melson

God bless the TWH, and may this breed be freed from pads, chains, and a lifetime of pain sooner rather than later!

More to come next week...

THOUGHTS - "For a Bit of Ribbon"

LET US NOT FORGET...

So I know what's going on.  The industry is busy acting like our current presidential candidates and merrily trotting along with a smear campaign against the HSUS.  They're putting out videos that are so thick with lies you could cut it with a knife.  As someone said on our Facebook group, We're going to get cancer from all the smoke they're blowing in our faces.  I'm not going to post any of this because it's just the same crap over and over again: all our horses are sound, the HSUS has an agenda, the government is trying to shut us down, blah blah blah.  It's listening to a broken record.

At least Roy Exum has it right: A Dismal Horse Celebration is probably the best title I've heard for this year's Black Week yet.  In light of Hurricane Isaac, Roy says, "My goodness, a “wash out” would be a Godsend for the beleaguered annual event."

But I was reading a book tonight while in the bath, and some things written in it got to me.  I thought I could share them with all of you.

The book is called Lad: A Dog, by Albert Payson Terhune.  Terhune was the owner of Sunnybank, a collie kennel in New Jersey.  He wrote a plethora of children's books about his collies, namely Lad, who stars in many adventures in many of Terhune's books.

Each chapter of this book tells a sort story of an event in Lad's life.  The fifth chapter is called "For a Bit of Ribbon."  From the description on Wikipedia, "The Master and Mistress enter Lad in the Westminster Dog Show in New York, much to Lad's abject misery as he dislikes the preparatory bathing and brushing. Dismayed to learn that Lad will have to stay chained to a small bench for all four days of the event, his owners begin to regret bringing him."

Now this book was written in 1919, when dog shows and horse shows were HUGE.  Madison Square Garden in New York was quite the place for holding dog and horse shows.  In this chapter, that's where the dog show takes place, and it's a Westminster show.

First is this description of what happens to prepare dogs for shows.  And folks, I bet we can find out that a lot of this still goes on.

Dog show abuse was prevalent back then, and, as I've learned from experienced dog show people, it's still there today.  It's all about altering the dog to create what's popular or in fashion, or what the judge wants to see.  (If you want to learn more, watch this hour long video: Pedigree Dogs Exposed.  It's hard to watch, but it's the truth of what's going on in the dog breeding industry.  And you can bet these same problems are within the ASPCA as well.)

But doesn't this all sound familiar?  The "work" done before the show, much to the animal's dismay, whether it hurts him or not, all in the name of winning a bit of ribbon.

But then something changes in this story.  A judge named McGilead has been hired to judge the collies, and he places Lad first in the Novice class, over much more refined and "visually appealing" dogs.  He recognizes the good qualities of the original collie breeding, creating a solid working dog that was full of life and loyalty.  Even though Lad was miserable and did not put on a good "show" in the ring, the judge recognized the dog for the quality he truly was.

Lad is then entered into the Finalist class, where he is up against all of the dogs from all the collie classes that day.  Here's what happens.

The judge did it.  He did what we need to see more judges doing, especially in our current TWH industry: PUNISH THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO CHEAT.  Wouldn't it be a miracle if someday, one influential judge within the TWH industry would say enough's enough, and would tie a horse based on the quality of gait rather than which one's doing the most, or worse, which one paid to win the blue?  Is it wrong to wish for this?

Then there's what Lad's Master and Mistress do that's even more amazing.  

"The Association can have a pretty silver cup...to console it for losing Lad.  As for exhibiting him again--well, I wouldn't lose these two ribbons for a hundred dollars, but I wouldn't put my worst enemy's dog to the torture of winning them over again--for a thousand."

Maybe it's time for the owners to see the same thing within the TWH industry.  Maybe it's time to stop putting their horses through the agony of soring and stacks, stop allowing fat middle-aged men to ride horses at 18 months to 2 years, time to stop torturing the animals for the sake of a blue ribbon.  Is it really worth the nightmare all of you are going through right now at the Celebration?  Is it really, truly worth it anymore?