NEWS - Spectator Kicked Out of TWH Show for Wearing Anti-Soring T-Shirt; Letter from TWHBEA President

Spectator Kicked out of TWH Show for Wearing Anti-Soring Shirt

This is a bit of old news since it happened two weeks ago, but I wanted to post it anyway.

One of our posters on our FTTWH Facebook group was recently kicked out of a TWH show for wearing an anti-soring shirt by none other than Mike Inman, the Celebration CEO.  The show was the Tunica Fall Classic, November 8-10, in Tunica, MS.  She was there on Saturday the 10th.

Here's a photo of said shirt:

Her story as posted on Facebook:

First, I cut my head off [of the photo] because of retaliation. 2nd my 75 year old mothers hands were shaking because we got kicked out of the show [which is why the photo is blurry]. There was not much of a crowd, I've seen more spectators at a saddle club show. There was no gate fee, we stood where the horses entered and exited the arena. It was like no one wanted to make eye contact with me, no one said anything, but you could tell they were grinding their teeth. Then we went concession stand, ate. I kept seeing people with coconut cake, I asked where we could get the cake, the lady pointed to a buffet down on the floor. We walked over and it was sponsor, donors buffet. I ask if I could have some cake, the lady said I needed a ticket. The man that catered the event came over, and offered a piece of free cake, he was very nice. We walked around and found a empty sponsor table and sat down. A girl came up to my 75 year mother and said that it was her table. We moved to another sponsor table, we were there for 3 hours, no one said anything, but they were staring. I got cold and was ready to leave, we were walking towards the exit, Mike Inman, stopped us. He said he had had enough, I was only there to cause trouble and my shirt was inappropriate and we had to leave. I Never said a word to anyone, except in polite conversation, never mentioned soring. Look in my hand, Pepsi, because I will never purchase or drink coke again. Why did Inman wait until we were walking toward the exit, to ask us to leave?

I want to ask the same question.  Per your TWHBEA Position Statement dated 3/2/11 on your website, TWHBEA says: "The primary consideration for the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeder’s and Exhibitor’s Association (TWHBEA) has been and remains the humane treatment and care of the Walking Horse and his equine cousins."  So how is an anti-soring shirt a problem?  Why react with such anger?  You know, if you were truly against soring, why not react with a wink and a smile and a "cool shirt" comment as you walked by her?

Letter from President of TWHBEA

To continue to prove that actions speak louder than words, Marty Irby, President of TWHBEA, just came out with this letter to TWHBEA members on November 28.  I'll look for the other letters he mentions as well, but this one really says the most about what you're doing here.  My comments follow the letter.

**********

Tennessee Walking Horse

Breeders' & Exhibitors' Association

the Official Breed Registry

November 28, 2012

Where We Are Today

My Fellow Members:

This will not be the most popular letter of the week, but it is the truth, and sometimes the truth hurts. As the third of my series of six letters this week, I hope the information contained herein will serve you, TWHBEA, and our great horse well. Please keep in mind that I am a very positive individual, and as our Executive Director Mr. Thomas frequently says "I am not being negative, just facing reality."

I am thankful to have been blessed with such a professional, talented, and world class Executive Director as Ron Thomas during my time as President. He is the most straight forward, direct, to the point, and honest man I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I thank him for his willingness to serve TWHBEA, and for stepping out of retirement to help further the breed registry and great horse we all love so much.

More than one year ago Dr. Chester Gipson, USDA APHIS Deputy Director traveled to Lewisburg to meet with our TWHBEA EC, and present the hard cold truth that we as a breed were in danger of losing our pads and action devices. He delivered the same message in a joint meeting with the Walking Horse Trainers' Association (WHTA) the next day, and again later with the Walking Horse Owners' Association (WHOA). Mr. Thomas was one of the first men to step forward and present the word Dr. Gipson had delivered, and as your President I felt it my duty to deliver the message as well.

On a number of occasions, during group meetings of TWHBEA, WHTA, WHOA, & The Celebration I reminded many of what the original intent of our meetings was, and that was to discuss the performance horse pads and action devices, and to help establish "One Voice" for our industry. Dr. Gipson specifically said that he was willing to help us, but the matter was a separate issue from inspections, inspection processes, and inspection services. Over the course of several meetings, a number of our TWHBEA representatives were ridiculed, and slandered for merely delivering a message from the government. A short time later, the USDA held listening sessions around the country regarding pads, action devices, the HIO system & inspections, and the all too common topic of soring. We as an industry and we as a TWHBEA Executive Committee drew our line in the sand and said "no" to making any changes or modifications to the pads and action devices.

A short time later came the release of the Jackie McConnell video. When the release came out I was quite shocked, and in the middle of judging the German Championship in Wemding, Germany. Being located in a foreign country while President of TWHBEA when the video was released really showed me a different perspective, and how our horse, breed, owners, exhibitors, and trainers were viewed internationally. Most compared performance horse people to barbarians, and many have thrown all of us in the same category as Michael Vick. Please understand I am not saying they are right, just merely delivering a message that "perception is reality."

I recognize and realize many of those in our industry have been in denial about training techniques applied to horses in all divisions of our show horse segment. At the same time, I realize, understand, have enough knowledge, and have been involved with enough truly great and talented animals that I believe we do have sound padded performance horses. What percentage, I honestly don't know. I do believe in what we have bred over the past 70 years. I believe in our show horse, its talent, ability, stamina, and gifted kindness. The problem does not lie in the performance horse, its pads, or action devices. The problem lies within people who are willing to cheat and abuse a horse to make him mimic or imitate a truly great and natural show horse.

How will we ever stop the cheating? We won't. Someone will always try to cheat. Someone will always try to take advantage of the kindness and love a horse has for them. Please realize and recognize that no law or amendment eliminates a problem, it merely regulates it. That is the unfortunate truth of government regulation and humanity. There will always be people that run stop signs, and there will always be people that will rob banks.

I am believer in the old saying "you are what you think." Far too often we think about the issue of soring and catching people who break the law, when we should equally be focusing on promoting sound horses, education in training, and rewarding those who are doing the right things. Our industry has very little record of being proactive, and has become far too reactive.

In the upcoming days you will see the beginnings of a new program at TWHBEA, under our Horse Shows Division that will start the process of rewarding those who are doing the right thing, and those who are showing sound horses.

This program is long overdue. The concept of "The Champions Cup" which has been approved in concept by our Horse Show Committee and our current EC will be presented at the upcoming meetings.

In recent weeks and months we have seen major veterinary organizations speak out against our show horse. We have few friends, and very little time to work together to save our show horse. So many have asked for "One Voice" and if it is not too late already, that "One Voice" must be the voice at TWHBEA, The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' & Exhibitors' Association which remains the oldest and largest organization in our industry since its inception in 1935. As a Lifetime Member I stand behind TWHBEA as the leader of our industry, as do thousands of others. I hope you will all stand up for TWHBEA, and voice your opinions and become a vocal part of this association at the upcoming General Membership meeting on Friday and International Board of Directors Meeting & Election on Saturday! Our association and our great horse need you!

With truth and dedication,

Marty Irby

**********

These were my immediate thoughts as I read this letter.

First thought: "When the release came out I was quite shocked." Yeah, I bet you were. SHOCKED THAT YOU WERE FINALLY CAUGHT IN THE ACT. Thought you were safe behind closed barn doors, didn't ya?

Second thought: " The problem does not lie in the performance horse, its pads, or action devices. The problem lies within people who are willing to cheat and abuse a horse to make him mimic or imitate a truly great and natural show horse." No to the first sentence, yes to the second. Forcing a horse to stand at an unnatural angle merely for fashion and vanity and to win IS a problem. Requiring chains in the show ring so the cheaters can cheat IS a problem.

Third thought: "How will we ever stop the cheating? We won't. Someone will always try to cheat." I agree. The problem is you guys ENCOURAGE the cheaters to cheat! You give them awards and accolades and continue to allow them to show. So why shouldn't they cheat when there's no serious consequences when they get caught?

Fourth thought: "Our association and our great horse need you!" Because we want to keep our pads and chains, dammit, and we all have to come together and FORCE it to happen!

The second to last paragraph: I'll believe it when I start seeing you people keep the cheaters and burners OUT of the ring. Get rid of these horrible men and women with multiple violations. DON'T LET THEM SHOW ANYMORE. You are already giving out plenty of rewards, both in the public eye and under the table. It's time for you guys to get serious about punishment.

These morons are like the band on the Titanic: they will continue to play their song and dance to try to calm the members who are jumping ship and will ultimately go down with the ship.  Let's just hope they do, because I know I am really tired of this nonsense.

NEWS and ARTICLES - AVMA & AAEP Release Joint Statement

The AVMA and AAEP released a joint statement today announcing their full support of HR 6388!  The press release can be read here.  I've copied and pasted the article below.

I also found out that at Shelbyville show over the weekend, a BL horse's hoof was sheered off while in the ring.  This can be caused by the band being too tight and the package being too heavy.  The horse was bleeding everywhere, and the rider didn't get off at first and rode the horse into the lineup, then waited for the groom to come help her.

The worst part?  NO ONE DID ANYTHING.  The horse's hoof was bandaged and he was seen limping back to his trailer.  On the thread I was reading, people were saying it was no big deal and a new hoof can be made out of epoxy while the old one grows back.  They were saying it wasn't unusual for this to happen, and lots of people have witnessed it.

Look, I don't know about you, but I once slammed my finger in a car door.  My entire nail down to the nail bed came off.  And it HURT, and I CRIED, and there was lots of blood.  And I don't even walk on my fingers the way a horse has to walk on its hoof.  I can only imagine the agony this poor animal was in, and having to continue to carry his rider to boot...at least in the racehorse world with horses like Eight Belles and Barbaro, the jockey came off as fast as possible and stopped the horse from continuing to run.

This is just another example of why we need the pads and bands out of the show ring. While nothing can be done about this situation legally, there is no reason why it should be happening in the first place.

This is another excellent opportunity to contact your Congress person and ask them to support HR 6388.  Go to www.senate.gov and www.house.gov and go to the upper right corner to find your Congress person. Feel free to include the link to the press release so they can see that not only do groups like the HSUS support this, but true veterinarians do as well.  If vets are saying it's time to get rid of stacks and chains, then that's what we need to do.  And if you've already contacted them, contact them again, especially now that the elections are over with. Make your voices heard when the horses can't!

**********


AAEP, AVMA Call for Passage of H.R. 6388 - Amendments to the Horse Protection Act
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November 19, 2012
Today the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners issued a joint statement of support for the Amendments to the Horse Protection Act, H.R. 6388.

“Soring is an unconscionable abuse of horses that is used to produce a high-stepping gait—the “Big Lick”—and gain an unfair competitive advantage in the show ring. For decades we’ve watched irresponsible individuals become more creative about finding ways to sore horses and circumvent the inspection process, and have lost faith in an industry that seems unwilling and/or unable to police itself. The AVMA and AAEP are committed to strengthening the USDA’s ability to enforce the Horse Protection Act and ending this abuse for good. We strongly encourage everyone who cares about the welfare of horses to contact their member of Congress and urge them to pass H.R. 6388,” said Dr. Doug Aspros, AVMA President.

Specifically, H.R. 6388:

• Makes the actual act of soring, or directing another person to cause a horse to become sore, illegal;
• Requires the USDA (rather than the industry) to license, train, assign and oversee inspectors enforcing the Horse Protection Act;
• Prohibits the use of action devices (e.g., boot, collar, chain, roller, or other device that encircles or is placed upon the lower extremity of the leg of a horse) on any limb of Tennessee Walking Horses, Spotted Saddle horses, or Racking horses at horse shows, exhibitions, sales or auctions and bans weighted shoes, pads, wedges, hoof bands, or other devices that are not used for protective or therapeutic purposes;
• Increases civil and criminal penalties for violations, and creates a penalty structure that requires horses to be disqualified for increasing periods of time based on the number of violations; and
• Allows for permanent disqualification from the show ring after three or more violations.

"The passage of H.R. 6388 will strengthen the Horse Protection Act and significantly increase the effort to end the abuse of the Tennessee Walking Horse," said AAEP President Dr. John Mitchell. "The AAEP encourages all veterinarians to contact their legislators to voice support for the bill and help end the cruel soring of these beautiful animals."

For more information on the AVMA and AAEP’s efforts to stop this egregious abuse of horses, visit the AVMA's Soring Resource Page.

# # #

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse.  Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its nearly 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 82,500 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. For more information, visit www.avma.org.

NEWS, ARTICLES and HOW YOU CAN HELP - Post Election Post

Well, here we are, post-election 2012.  Now we can look forward to no more negative campaign ads online or on the television...well, for another four years, at least!  So it's onward and upward: let's talk about how we can further protect the horse!

McConnell Goes Back to Court November 13

As one of our posters on Facebook reminded us, Jackie the Jerk goes back to court on November 13 to face state charges.  This includes approximately 15 counts of animal cruelty, but it doesn't fall under the new Tennessee law making animal abuse a felony because Jackie was caught in March and the law was passed in July.

We need to send our letters and emails and make phone calls to District Attorney Michael Dunavant to let him know we haven't forgotten about this case.  Mr. Dunavant can be contacted at the following.


D. Michael Dunavant
District Attorney General
25th Judicial District of Tennessee
Lauderdale, Tipton, Fayette, Hardeman & McNairy counties
121 North Main Street
Ripley, Tennessee 38063
(731) 635-5163
dmdunavant@tndagc.org


He has been sending out a "canned" response, but the message is very good--clearly, he is getting enough emails to need to send a specific response concerning this case.  It seems he really cares about upholding the law and making sure justice is served.  But still, we need your voice to help keep this issue foremost in his mind!

HR 6388 Sponsors and Co-Sponsors - Contact the NEW Senators and Reps!

Good news!  Sponsor Rep. Edward Whitfield (R, KY) was reelected!  As were lots of the co-sponsors.  But some of them were not relected.  Those are highlighted below in red.  I put the new person's name in with a link to their website.  The amendment is still sitting in the committee waiting to be reviewed, so this means we need to contact the new Senators and Representatives and ask for their support!  And here's the entire list of new and reelected Congress persons--click here.  The new ones have links attached to their names, so they need to be contacted as well.

• Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R, MD-6]  to Rep. John Delaney [D, MD-6]
• Rep. Judy Biggert [R, IL-13] to Rep. Rodney Davis [R, IL-13]
• Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D, OR-3]
• Del. Madeleine Bordallo [D, GU-0]
• Rep. William Clay [D, MO-1]
• Rep. Elijah Cummings [D, MD-7]
• Rep. Peter DeFazio [D, OR-4]
• Rep. Anna Eshoo [D, CA-18]
• Rep. Sam Farr [D, CA-20]
• Rep. Elton Gallegly [R, CA-24]
• Rep. Raul Grijalva [D, AZ-7]
• Rep. Michael Honda [D, CA-17]
• Rep. Eddie Johnson [D, TX-30]
• Rep. Walter Jones [R, NC-3]
• Rep. James Langevin [D, RI-2]
• Rep. Rick Larsen [D, WA-2]
• Rep. John Lewis [D, GA-5]
• Rep. Frank LoBiondo [R, NJ-2]
• Rep. Stephen Lynch [D, MA-8]
• Rep. James McGovern [D, MA-2]
• Rep. Gary Miller [R, CA-31]
• Rep. James Moran [D, VA-8]
• Del. Eleanor Norton [D, DC-0]
• Rep. David Price [D, NC-4]
• Rep. Nick Rahall [D, WV-3]
• Rep. Steven Rothman [D, NJ-9] to Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (might be incorrect)
• Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard [D, CA-40]
• Rep. Janice Schakowsky [D, IL-9]
• Rep. Brad Sherman [D, CA-30]
• Rep. Fortney Stark [D, CA-13] to Rep. Barbara Lee (might be incorrect)
• Rep. John Tierney [D, MA-6]
• Rep. Nydia Velázquez [D, NY-07]
• Rep. Lynn Woolsey [D, CA-6] to Rep. Doris Matsui (might be incorrect)
• Rep. Bill Young [R, FL-13]
• Rep. Brian Bilbray [R, CA-50] to Rep. Duncan Hunter (might be incorrect)
• Rep. George Butterfield [D, NC-1]
• Rep. John Campbell [R, CA-45]
• Rep. Mazie Hirono [D, HI-2] to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard [D, HI-2]
• Rep. Steve Cohen [D, TN-9]
• Rep. James Himes [D, CT-4]
• Rep. Gary Peters [D, MI-14]
• Rep. Paul Tonko [D, NY-20]
• Rep. Bob Dold [R, IL-10] to Rep. Brad Schneider [D, IL-10]
• Rep. Hansen Clarke [D, MI-13]
• Rep. Michael Grimm [R, NY-13] to John Conyers Jr. (might be incorrect)
• Rep. Steve Stivers [R, OH-15]

The best way to track all of this is via POPVOX--click here.  And don't forget: be sure to post your support of HR 6388 as well.  Do your best to word your response logically and clearly--cursing or negative language does not help our cause.

Extension on the FTTWH Letter

I've extended the date to sign our FTTWH letter that we'll be sending out to various horse organizations.  I have a lot of "real" work to do and won't be able to send it out for the next couple of weeks.  So please have your signatures added by NOVEMBER 14, 2012.  To add your signature, click here, choose the Comments box in the upper right corner, and comment.  PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME - real names are what get us the most support!  Click here for the blog post about the letter and how I'll be distributing it.  And pass this info on to your horsey friends--the more the better!

Tennessee State University Changes the TWH Homecoming Presentation from Big Lick to Flat Shod

From the HSUS article:  "In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, which funds the protection of natural habitat, the University has partnered with the state of Tennessee 4-H organization to celebrate the Tennessee walking horse. Although a Tennessee walking horse demonstration is one of Tennessee’s homecoming traditions, this year the University has decided to showcase a sound, flat shod horse in lieu of their customary “Big Lick” demonstration – following exposes and law enforcement actions against the cruel practice of soring these competitive horses."  Click here for the article.  More about the Morrill Act is here.

From the University of Tennessee article: "To reflect the Morrill Act’s mission, the university has updated its traditional Tennessee Walking Horse exhibition at this year’s Homecoming. Prior to kickoff, A Daring Affair, a flat-shod walking horse, will circle the field with rider Kimbrell Hines, a high-school senior from Winchester, Tennessee. Hines is a longtime member of the Tennessee 4-H program, and she and the horse, known affectionately as Summer, have won many horse shows around the state."  Click here for the article.

I love that the University says they have "updated" the exhibition!  This is wonderful news for the Tennessee Walking Horse and is a clear message to the industry that the Big Lick is no longer a quality or proper representation of the TWH.

If you'd like to send a thank you letter to the University for making this choice, here's the contact information for the All Campus Events, the group that puts together the homecoming events.


All Campus Events
A member of the Central Program Council
Phone: (865) 974-5455
Fax: (865) 974-9252
Website: http://activities.utk.edu
Email: ace@utk.edu

Lanier Loftin, Director’s Chair
Ashton Rummage, Co-Homecoming Chair
Paige Sabo, Co-Homecoming Chair
Keith Becklin, Advisor
Click for Facebook page

And congratulations to University of Tennessee for their homecoming win in 2012!  I think switching to a Flat Shod horse gave you good luck!

NEWS and ARTICLES - More HR 6388 Support, "Weighted Shoes" Issue, and HSUS Files a Friend-of-the-Court Brief Against TWH Industry

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.

CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR SIGNATURE TO OUR LETTER!

Just click on Comments in the upper right corner and type in your name.

Click here to learn what letter and why you should sign it.

More Support of HR 6388

So, has everyone been keeping an eye on POPVOX?  We've gotten even MORE co-sponsors from our government: 46 total!  It's pretty amazing how our government officials are standing up behind the changes.  And why not?  It's an easy amendment to include into the HPA, it costs the government no money to instigate, and it will create a few more jobs.  It seems to be a no-brainer!

"Weighted Shoes" Issue

Now, there's been a lot of talk about the wording of the new amendment.  Basically, people are upset about the use of the word "weighted shoes" in the addition to Section 1824, paragraph 13.  How much weight do they mean?  And they are worried about the words "strictly protective and therapeutic in nature," thinking that this means any shoe other than a keg shoe (Section 1824, paragraph 13C).

Some of our FTTWH writers and Facebook participants have spoken with the USDA, and they have confirmed that the goal is NOT to take away the max shoes used by the sound HIOs.  Their goal is to eliminate the tungsten shoe and other such shoes that are specifically used for cheating in the show ring.  Clearly, they are fine with the shoeing regulations by such HIOs as FOSH and NWHA--particularly NWHA, who uses the 1 1/2" shoe, since they have been to many of their shows this past year and haven't found any sore horses.  (See NWHA's rulebook here--shoeing rules are Section 8.3, page 19.)  The USDA has said they want to work with the industry to find the weight/shoe size that will be allowed in the ring without the need for bands.

Then we were given this information from Keith Dane (reposted with permission from Keith):

My understanding is that the bill prohibits the use on Tennessee Walking, Racking and Spotted Saddle horses of a weighted shoe that is not strictly protective or therapeutic in nature.  Although they could have specified in the bill what the maximum shoe weight allowed would be, the sponsors wanted the regulators, the veterinary community and the stakeholders in the industry to have input into the decision about what the maximum weight should be.

The USDA would seek that input and determine what the maximum weight is for a shoe that is strictly protective or therapeutic, and specify that maximum in the new regulations which will be promulgated under this law when passed.  Any shoes that is less than or equal to that maximum weight will be allowed.  Any shoes that exceeds that weight will be prohibited.

Here's what I ask folks to consider: if you don't like the wording of those bits, PLEASE don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.  We still need support of HR 6388 because shoeing is not the only part of the amendment that needs our attention.  It will strengthen penalties and make soring much more difficult to do, and therefore soring will become a rarity instead of the commonality it is today.  So, write to you Congress person ans tell them you support HR 6388 as long as the term "weighted shoes" and/or "protective or therapeudic in nature" are defined.  It's very simple.  We need the stronger penalties to pass, and most of us want all of the other devices out of the show ring, so please at least show your support of those parts of the amendment.

My own opinion is this: as far as I understand, the TWH should be born with the true flat walk and running walk.  It should come easily under saddle with classical training and a horse should be conditioned to show in the show ring.  The shoes are not supposed to make the gait--they're ONLY supposed to enhance it.  So why should the shoe matter?  Enhancement is only necessary for the pleasure of the viewer, not for the horse.  Unfortunately, the entire TWH community--sound and sore alike--is too hung up on shoes.  All of our divisions are based on the type of shoes the horse is wearing.  It's gotten ridiculous.  Why do we no longer focus on the talent of the horse and instead are focusing on his shoes?  The focus seems to be more on protecting the shoes over protecting the horse!  In my truly honest opinion, I have absolutely no problem with some severe restrictions by the government on the shoeing.  I personally have no problem with NWHA's shoeing rules, and I think those should be the standard.  NWHA has proven to keep sore horses out of the ring due to their shoeing rules and their diligence, and that's the attitude that everyone needs to adopt.

HSUS Files a Friend-of-the-Court Brief Against TWH Industry

Click here for the article; copied and pasted below.

Okay, I have to admit that I have no clue what a "friend-of-the-court brief" is.  So I looked it up.  The correct name for this is amicus curiae, Latin for, literally, "friend of the court."  An amicus curiae is someone who volunteers to offer information to assist the court in deciding any matter presented to it.  A brief is usually filed in matters that concern the public interest, like soring. They can be filed by private entities or by the government itself.

So, the HSUS has asked the federal judge to rule against the TWH industry and help uphold regulations to stop the abuse.  I imagine they also provided their own collected information, such as the McConnell video, to help the judge make his decision.

I'm glad to hear they were allowed to file a brief in the first place.  It will certainly be telling to the judge to learn the statistics that show soring is rampant and that the HPA does include due 

process.  Let's hope this case gets settled soon.

**********

The Tennessean.com

Humane Society files walking horse brief
October 26, 2012

The Humane Society of the United States filed a friend-of-the-court brief on Friday, asking a federal judge to rule against the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and uphold new regulations to stop abuse.

U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations introduced earlier this year would standardize penalties for soring — injuring walking horses to encourage their unusual gait — across 12 private groups licensed to inspect horses at shows. Among those is Shelbyville-based SHOW horse inspection organization, which sued the USDA over the regulations.

SHOW’s suit, filed in Fort Worth, Texas, claims the new regulations essentially deny accused trainers their constitutional right to due process.

“By challenging these regulations, the walking horse industry has made it clear that it has no interest in cleaning up its act and getting rid of the brutal practice of soring,” Jonathan Lovvorn, senior vice president for animal protection litigation and investigations for the Humane Society, said in a media release.

The group’s undercover video of a famed walking horse trainer soring a horse brought national attention to the problem. The USDA announces its new regulations weeks after the video’s release.

SHOW officials have said their soring penalties already are among the toughest in the industry.

— Heidi Hall The Tennessean

RESEARCH and HOW YOU CAN HELP - POPVOX and Why We Should Support H.R. 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.

CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR SIGNATURE TO OUR LETTER!

Just click on Comments in the upper right corner and type in your name.

Click here to learn what letter and why you should sign it.

So I've got a couple of things to talk about here, and first I want to get something out of the way that I have a strong sense that people have not thought about.

Being on various groups and pages on Facebook, we see a lot of buzz about H.R. 6388.  I have noticed that people who claim to support sound horses won't support H.R. 6388.  This is because they do not like the term "weighted shoes."  They think that their LS shoes and Plantation shoes will be taken away from them.

After doing some research, I have learned this is NOT true.  One of our FTTWH contributors spoke with a fellow horseman who helped write the amendment.  He stated that the reason they used the term "weighted shoes" was because it gives the USDA the freedom to put regulations on what type of shoes.  He also said the USDA is not trying to eliminate the LS shoe and the Plantation shoes.

I think that it's clear that the USDA has no problem with NWHA and FOSH shows, which allow horses to carry heavier shoes.  The heavier shoes are not the problem.  It's the tungsten shoes - which are basically cheating - and the addition of iron plates to the bottom of the shoes after the horse has been through the DQP to make them heavier.  (Yes, this happens--I've witnessed it myself a few years ago.)

What I'm saddened by is people throwing the baby out with the bathwater.  They are rejecting the entire H.R. 6388 based on two words.  Can't people support the bill anyway?  This bill doesn't just take away stacks, chains, bands and weighted shoes.  It also strengthens the penalties and makes it harder for the cheaters to cheat and the sorers to win.  We need these to be implemented because first, we know the Industry won't do it, and second, we know the USDA won't do it.  You are always allowed to write in something like, "I support H.R. 6388 but ask that the term "weighted shoes" be clearly defined."  With the attitude I'm reading about, it seems to me that shoes are more important than protecting the horse here.  This IS the HORSE PROTECTION ACT after all, not the Owners/Exhibitors/Trainers Protection Act.  We need to see support to get the HPA better enforced and the law upheld.  Is that not more important than what shoes are nailed on the horses' feet?

Which leads me to another way to express your opinion and say exactly what I said above in concern with the "weighted shoes" terminology.  POPVOX is a website that's gotten a lot of buzz in the TWH community lately.  I wasn't sure what it was all about, but basically it's a website where you can voice your support or opposition of any bill currently being reviewed by the government.

It's a pretty neat deal.  When you go to the website, you can do a search for H.R. 6388.  (Here's the link.)  Then, you can click SUPPORT or OPPOSE and write in your response.  This response goes directly to your local Congress persons.

Now it is important to note that there are plenty of ways to easily fake email addresses and names, so the percentages of support vs. oppose can be skewed.  And I don't know if any solid proof that responses on POPVOX have been the make or break decision for any of our Congress persons in the past.  But, this is a very easy way to get your voice heard and to share with others to ask them to also voice their support.

What's really interesting is to take a look at this page.  Here, we can see where the support and oppositions come from.  Not surprisingly, the majority of the opposition comes from where?  TENNESSEE!!!  Well duh!  It would end their precious crippled spider look!  But it's also pretty darn cool to see folks from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii are in support of this bill.  If our Congress persons consider these demographics, they would see that those who are in opposition are those who want to see this monstrosity continue as is.  Also note the organizations who oppose the bill are also those who oppose the USDA and ANY changes to the regulations they make.  Surprise, surprise.

So far, as logged on POPVOX, we have 43 co-sponsors of the bill from various districts across the U.S.  I also understand that 17 more have also co-sponsored the bill, but they aren't listed on POPVOX.

Overall, take some time browsing this page to read the comments, learn about the co-sponsors, and find out more about H.R. 6388.  It's a great way to learn more and to understand why we absolutely need H.R. 6388 to pass.  Currently, the bill is in the House and Energy Commerce Committee to be reviewed and voted upon.  Then it will head to the House if they are cool with it.  So be sure to get your comments in there in support of the bill so we can make sure it gets in the hands of the House and the Senate.

Again, as always, THANK YOU for your support of the horse!

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

**********

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.

**********

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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