NEWS - SHOW Posts HPA Violations

So it looks like SHOW is trying to be more transparent and has posted their HPA violations on their website. Here's the link: SHOW Violations. To find it from the home page, go to the Downloads/News page and click on the Suspension List link on the left side of the page.

Now I have been working on posting a friend's list that compares the current SHOW judges to the HPA violations they have (68 suspended, 14 currently suspended, 11 under lifetime suspension). It's taking me some time because it's a large list, and I'm narrowing it down to just the suspensions. But I've already found some discrepancies between the SHOW list and the USDA's list.

For example, Howard Adkinson is a judge for SHOW. On the USDA list, the following is revealed:

Spring Hill, TN; SHOW affiliated show; Scar Rule; suspension from 6-29-09 through 6-29-99 (that's 2099, so in essence this is a lifetime suspension.)

Spring Hill, TN; SHOW affiliated show; Bilateral Sore; suspension from 9-12-09 through 9-12-99 (again, 2099)

The SHOW list has different information:

Spring Hill, TN; SHOW affiliated show; Bilateral Sore - Preshow; $500 fine; suspended from 9-12-09 through 9-11-10 (that's 2010)

Now, it is possible that Mr. Adkinson fought the 9-12 suspension and won a shorter suspension time--I can deduce this because the SHOW list is dated later than the USDA list. BUT HE IS STILL ALLOWED TO KEEP HIS JUDGING STATUS. The SHOW penalty structure states that he cannot judge shows during his suspension, but he certainly can still be a judge. Now why is that? SHOW? Any answers? Of course not.

Referring back to the suspensions, where is the suspension until 2099 on SHOW's list? This makes no sense.

So, I'll be working on posting those discrepancies as well. I hope to have everything up this week.

Concerning the Values of the SHOW HIO

Before reading this, BE SURE TO READ MY BELOW POST ALSO POSTED TODAY CONCERNING SHOW'S NEW SHOEING RULES.

Now that that's out of the way...

This is the text of an email I sent today to all listed emails on the SHOW HIO website at www.showhio.com. Feel free to use some of the same ideas in your own letters. We have to let SHOW know we are not happy and that we won't support this continued focus on abuse.

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Dear SHOW Officials and Board Members:

As a Tennessee Walking Horse advocate, I have worked diligently with various groups to help end the serious issue that plagues our breed known as soring, a form of animal abuse. I understand that you are aware of this issue as you point out the fact that the industry “comes under attack for alleged abuse of its animals” on your Our Campaign page of your website. I think we can all agree that soring is not a thing of the past as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proven time and time again that this abuse continues with statistical, video, and photographic evidence.

I noted on the Our Campaign page on your website, you state the following.

The SHOW campaign is “a tangible way of demonstrating our industry’s commitment to doing what is right and bringing about reform where needed.”

SHOW is “saying we pledge to take personal responsibility to refrain from any act that might be construed as animal abuse and state publicly that we encourage our friends to do likewise.”

“By embracing the values of SHOW, you can enhance the integrity of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, protect our horses and assure the future of real competition.”

A friend of mine took it upon herself to compare the list of judges licensed with SHOW to the HPA Violations list for the period of August 1, 2007 through October 16, 2009 as published on the USDA website. Of the over 300 judges, 68 of these judges were suspended during that time period, 14 are currently suspended, and 11 of them are under lifetime suspension. This represents 93 HPA violators—felons, really, for violating the HPA is a federal offense—that are still allowed to perform as judges. That’s almost one third of your judge roster.

In addition, I understand that Rollie Beard has been given the position of Director of Judges. Yet, recent information released by the USDA informs us that Mr. Beard has received five tickets within the past six years for violating the HPA, with the last violation occurring just recently in 2008.

I can also note that per the USDA data, over 400 violations were found at the 2009 Celebration, which as I understand was affiliated with your HIO. This is a record-breaking number of violations, and it was during SHOW’s first time of being the affiliated HIO at the Celebration.

In addition, I learned today that you have changed your shoeing regulations. You are now allowing bands in all divisions, including the Trail Pleasure division, and you are allowing extra weight and tungsten shoes on horses. It has been proven that bands can be used to cause pain by their being tightened too hard, and they can be used to hide pressure shoeing practices between the shoe and the hoof. This information has been documented in the article titled “Soring: Disgraceful Practice Continues” in the American Farriers Journal in 2009. The ridiculously heavy shoes can cause lifelong damage to the horse’s joints and muscle structure in its legs, back and neck.

I have a very important question for all members and representatives of SHOW. Are these the values Walking Horse owners and exhibitors are expected to embrace? That an HIO will allow a reported felon, even a repeat felon, to continue to represent the TWH industry by being a judge or the Director of Judges? That we will continue to see HPA violations at shows affiliated with your HIO? That you will change your shoeing regulations to actively include practices that are proven to help perpetuate soring and have been specifically banned by sound horse HIOs? What value exactly are you trying to convey here? It can’t be “doing what is right” or “bringing about reform.” Usually a logical course of action would be to remove violators from judging and directorial positions in your HIO, and it would also to be to either keep your shoeing regulations the same or change them to be more restrictive. Apparently, values you support are not the same kinds of values that I think most law-abiding citizens take seriously, such as honor, integrity, compassion, and most importantly, ethical behavior. I would think that you are doing exactly the opposite and are encouraging those who repeatedly sore their horses to keep doing it, which in turn is an “act that might be construed as animal abuse.”

Overall, I believe and I’m sure others will agree that you are doing nothing to “enhance the integrity of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry” by continuing this course of action. Allowing repeat violators to be judges and official with your HIO does not “protect the horse.” It serves to protect your own industry by allowing it to continue as is. Please know that until you start to consider true reform and start helping to end soring rather than encouraging it, you will never be seen as “doing what is right.” If you “pledge to take responsibility,” then stop pledging and start taking responsibility in making progressive changes and instigating the end of this horrific practice, especially before others do it for you.

Sincerely,

Andrea Ohnstad
Silver Phoenix Ranch

NEWS - SHOW's New Shoeing Rules (And They Are Terrible)

Now SHOW has changed their shoeing rules, and it seems they have decided to go backwards in their so-called progression to help end soring. They are now allowing bands on all levels of horses (including trail division) AND they have no weight limits and are allowing tungsten shoes. Bands are a great way to help hide soring practices between the horse's hoof and the shoe, and tungsten shoes are not allowed in the sound horse venues.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE email SHOW and let them know your displeasure. Their website to find their emails is www.showhio.com.

Below is the info on their new shoeing rules that I received.

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New show rules.... bands are optional in all divisions. Metal hoof bands such as used to anchor or strengthen pads and shoes are permitted so long as they are placed at least on half inch below the bottom of the coronet band


clips optional in all divisions when drawn from original steel, or poured...

shoe not to extend beyond bulb of horse's heel when a perpendicular line is drawn from the bulb to the ground..

shoe not to extend more than 1/4 " beyond the hoof at the toe

turn back will be measured from the front to the rear of the caulk

Country Pleasure
max 3/8 x 3/4" stamped steel or aluminum keg shoe
borium allowed on toe,max 1 1/2 in length and small spot on heels
poured heels allowed

Trail Pleasure
max 3/8 x 3/4 cold or hot rolled steel or aluminum shoe
max 1 1/2 turn back borium allowed on the caulks but the thickness of the shoe, caulk and borium must not exceed 7/8"

Lite shod (dropped 2 lb limit)
max 1/2 x 1" cold or hot roll steel or aluminum shoe
max 1 1/2" turnback
borium allowed on the caulks, but the thickness of shoe, caulk and borium must not exceed 1 1/8"

Plantation Pleasure
max 1/2 x 3/4" shoe open to any steel (this means tungsten)
max 1 1/2" turnback
borium allowed on the caulks of the shoe but the thickness of the shoe, caulk and borium must not exceed 1 1/8"

Park Pleasure
Max 1/2 x 1 1/2" shoe open to any steel (this means tungsten)
max 1 5/8" turnback
borium allowed on caulks but thickness on shoe caulk and borium must not exceed 1 1/8"

Acrylic can be used to repair and mend a hoof where shoe has been thrown and hoof damaged. Acrylic or any other material cannot be used for the purpose of extending the length of the natural hoof in any manner on both feet which includes the toes or heels. Acrylic can be used to fill in around the nail holes or cracks on the sides of the hoof.

No additional weight shall be allowed on or in the hoof, other than shoe, nails and band

NEWS - SHOW hires HPA Violator (5 times in last 6 years) as Director of Judges

This is outrageous. THIS is why we cannot trust SHOW. They are a bunch of liars and cheaters and are not doing their job as an HIO. I plan to write some letters. Let's bombard the USDA and ask them to shut down SHOW. This is ridiculous! Feel free to pass this on to your friends and be sure NOT to support SHOW in any way, shape or form!

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FOSH Press Release:
FOSH Surprised in SHOW's Appointment of Director of Judges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Person: Theresa Bippen tbippen1957@yahoo.com

FOSH Surprised in SHOW's Appointment of Director of Judges (12-03-2009)

FOSH announced that it has written a letter to Dr. Doyle Meadows, SHOW/Celebration CEO about its surprise with SHOW's announcement of Rollie Beard as its Director of Judging. The following is an excerpt from the letter:

"Beard received five tickets for Horse Protection Act (HPA) violations within the last six years with the last violation occuring just last year. FOSH questions how a repeat HPA violator can be named as a director of a judging program in a year when a record-breaking number of soring violations has occurred. In addition to soring being illegal, it is also cheating against all the exhibitors who do not sore. As SHOW expects its Director of Judging to demonstrate honesty and support for the sound horse, FOSH fails to understand how this appointment is not a conflict of interest when one considers Beard's own recent history of soring and exhibiting. As long as SHOW continues to honor HPA violators such as Mr. Beard with positions of leadership, it is difficult for outsiders to envision that SHOW is serious about enforcement of the HPA or values such as honest. We hope that you will reconsider the message you sent to the public with your Judging choice."

FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about FOSH, or to become a member, please visit http://www.fosh.info/ or call 800-651-7993.

NEWS - 78 Too Many (WARNING - Graphic Photos)

I received a pdf presentation today that was put together by the USDA. It is 78 different photos of horses that have been sored and were cited for HPA violations of the scar rule in 2009. Yes, you read that right: 2009. I've posted some of the photos so you can see what they look like. For the full pdf slideshow, click here. Here's Walkin On Ranch's page about it. NOTE: These photos could be considered graphic, so consider yourself forewarned.

As far as I understand most of the photos are of different horses (some are of the same horse at different angles, but not many). Note that some of them are very obvious that the horse has been sored, but some aren't so obvious. The biggest thing to notice is that some of the horses have "grease" on them. This is the lubricant that is put on them before they go in the show ring that supposedly protects the legs from the chains rubbing on them. So this means that those horses with greasy legs were allowed in the show ring after DQP inspection.

Folks, this kind of damage doesn't happen after only 10 minutes in the show ring. The grease should be protecting the legs, not damaging them. If the horse was in the show ring for 10 minutes and it has this kind of damage on it, then something is rotten in Denmark. This means the horses have had the scars and damage for a while, and the chains and whatever special mix is in that grease is making it worse.

I challenge those of you who lurk in the shadows and write me annonymous messages to explain this garbage. Explain why the USDA has collected these 78 photos. If soring is a thing of the past, then why are these photos still being taken? And this is just violations of the scar rule. How many more horses didn't pass the palpation or thermography tests?

Let me remind everyone that there were over 400 violations documented at the 2009 Celebration. FOUR HUNDRED. Why is this continuing? Why are people still allowing this continue? What has the horse done to you that he deserves such cruelty? The industry said they're going to clean it up, that this is going to be a thing of the past. How does 400 violations in 2009 compared to 187 violations in 2008 show that you are cleaning things up? From what I and others can see, progress by far is not being made. I witnessed it first hand at the sore horse show I went to a few months ago. Soring is still the preferred way of training BL horses, and don't ever, ever let anyone tell you any different.

My friend Nathanael Jackson said it best on his webpage: "I know this is frustrating to many as to why and how this is still going on, the why is still a mystery, but the HOW can be answered by knowing that there are dedicated folks out there working everyday to stop this, so they are not getting away with anything, it's just that this disease, is what we call in the medical field "Chronic"...And chronic things require a extended course of action to be eradicated."

I agree. My personal choice course of action: BAN PADS, BANDS, CHAINS, AND ACTION DEVICES IN THE SHOW RING. Sure, road foundering will happen, and pressure shoeing will go on. But it will be a lot easier for honest DQPs to pull shoes and test with hoof testers for pain without all the extra garbage on the horse. Pads on flat-shod horses are frequently used to hide devices or material used to create pain on the sole of the horses' feet.

And let's start dolling out some real punishment for the HIOs who allow this to happen. Writing them a warning letter doesn't work. Please, USDA, PLEASE SHUT THEM DOWN. Start banning DQPs who allow horses like these into the ring. Start fining trainers for soring the horses AND owners for allowing the horse to be sored. Start upholding animal cruelty laws in various states and remove these horses from the trainers and owners. Stop talking about what you're going to do and just do it.

78 photos. 78 sore legs. 78 TOO MANY.

NEWS and HOW YOU CAN HELP - HSUS Seizes 84 Gaited Horses

I just received news that there are 84 horses, mostly gaited SSHs and TWHs, in TN that need our help. The HSUS rescued these horses over this weekend. Click here for the article and the video. Please note that the horses are in very, very bad condition, so it might be hard to watch for some people. Click here for the HSUS field notes from the senior director of emergency services.

The names of the perps are Charles E. and Charles C. "Clint" Howland. Add these guys to your list of not to buy from. They were arrested and let's hope they are prosecuted to the full extent of the law and are never allowed to own animals again. However, we know how this can slip through the cracks, so imprint their faces and names in your memory.

I'm sure there will be a major need for funds, feed, supplies, foster homes, and homes in general for these horses. In watching the video, I see several horses that will make great riding horses per the bone structure I can see. And quite frankly, I find that since TWHs can be so tolerant of abuse, they can come out of abusive situations with flying colors. My husband's gelding is proof of that. So be sure to contact the TN HSUS at tnhorse@hsus.org or tnhorserescue@hsus.org if you want to help. You can also call the manager of the TN State Fairgrounds at 615-862-8980.

I will update this post as I learn more. For now, here are some articles I found online.

Memphis, TN News Channel 3 Article

The Tennessean Article

United Animal Nations Article

THOUGHTS - Questions for Ourselves

Hello everyone. Once again, this is not a research or article post. This is something I personally experienced that I thought I should pass along.

I regularly read a blog called Shame in the Horse Show Ring. Her current post is about the Big Lick horse and how horrible it looks via the Freak of the Week videos from Walking Horse Chat. (She gets *ahem* colorful with her language, so please be forewarned if you go to her blog.)

There were some good comments to the post, but of course we got one person who posted who believes soring is a thing of the past and who has BL and flat shod horses that show. Obviously, we all know that this person is either being lied to or is just denying that this is going on.

I answered her comment word for word, and one of the answers was I asked a series of questions if this person truly knows if the horses are happy and sound. I thought these questions could be ones we could all use to screen our TWHs that are in training.

I want to make it perfectly clear that as owners, we are morally responsible for the care and well being of the animals we own. Just as a child can will be taken from abusive parents, the same can be done with animals. Ignorance does not excuse you from your horse having been sored. "I just didn't know" is not enough. A mother who acts innocent while the father beats the son will be held responsible in a court of law. Therefore the animal owner should be too. If you do not take the time to make sure your trainer is using ethical methods to train your horses, then you are just as guitly of that trainer for the abuse caused by your horse. And really, this goes for any breed and any type of care being provided to an animal.

These were the questions I posed to this person. Of course I haven't received an answer, and I don't expect to. But I thought perhaps they would help others out there who want to keep their horses in training but don't want their horses sored.

• Do you shoe your horses yourself or watch while they're being shod to watch for signs of pressure shoeing or other soring methods?
• Are you with your horses every time they are worked in training?
• Has the trainer you're using ever had a horse in his training barn ticketed or received an HPA violation?
• Has he been suspended or banned from any shows?
• Are you inspecting your horses for signs of soring? (The USDA has the inspection method posted on the APHIS-HPA website.)
• Are you pulling their stacks and shoes on a regular basis to see if anything is being used to cause them pain? (Yes, stacks CAN be pulled and put back on easily so you can inspect your horse--don't let any trainer tell you different.)
• When at the show and you have to leave your horse for any period of time, do you have someone standing in for you to make sure no soring is done to your horse while you're gone?

We need to remember that just because our TWHs in training look well fed doesn't mean they aren't being tortured with soring methods behind the barn. Take the time to be there when your horse is being trained. Take the time to show up unannounced. And even if you think your horse is in good shape, note the level of care and well being of the other horses around. Do they look healthy and happy? If you are suspicious, remove your horse immediately. You don't have to report this person to the ASPCA or HSUS if you don't want to. Simply removing your horse and your money from that trainer's pocketbook is a very strong message, and the more people who continue to do this, the more the bad guys will lose their hold and will lose the battle.

Overall, if you take these steps, a good trainer will not think you're being rude or sneaky. A good trainer will respect you for how much you value your horse's well being and will welcome your visits and your being involved with your horses care and training. Those are the marks of a good trainer and moral person overall.

NEWS - My Interview for WEG 2010 Radio Show

I was interviewed on Wednesday for the 2010 Radio Show, the unofficial podcast for the 2010 WEGs here in America. They found my blog and wanted to interview me because of it. It was a great experience, and I want to thank Samantha Clark and Glenn the Geek for inviting me on their show. Click here to listen to the interview! (My portion starts at -26:14.)

Be sure to check out the 2010 Radio Show website for more podcasts and information about the WEGs.

NEWS and ARTICLES - TWHBEA Will Not Exhibit at the 2010 WGC

Another victory for the sound horse! I am so happy the WEG chose NWHA to be the representative for the TWH breed. I also heard that The Jacksons and Champagne Watchout will be performing freestyle dressage at the WEG as well. So we will have a wonderful, TRUE representation of our naturally gaited TWHs at the WEG! CONGRATULATIONS, NWHA!
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Click here for the article link
WEG picks natural walking horses for exhibits

Kentucky.com * Oct 30, 2009 * By Janet Patton - jpatton1@herald-leader.com

A controversial Tennessee Walking Horse group will not be allowed to participate in the Equine Village at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games after all.

Instead, the Games will highlight the National Walking Horse Association, which prohibits devices and practices that exaggerate the horse's natural gait.

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association had asked to participate in the exhibitions planned at the Kentucky Horse Park during the Games next fall and, according to WEG board chairman John Long, the WEG board had decided in December to allow them.

But last month, as the board was finalizing the list of participants, they changed plans and refunded the Tennessee Walking Horse group's $20,000 deposit instead, said Jamie Link, WEG 2010 Foundation chief executive officer.

"We recognized there is some controversy surrounding that breed. We made the decision that it's not in our best interest to provide a showcase for a controversy like this," Link said Thursday.

A small percentage of walking horses, which have a naturally smooth gait, are trained in a highly stylized high-stepping performance gait for competitions. This sometimes involves use of illegal devices and substances to make the horse's feet sore. These practices, known as "soring," are banned under the federal Horse Protection Act, enforced by the USDA.

The Tennessee Walking Horse group had agreed not to bring any walking horses in padded shoes or chains, and guaranteed none of the horses exhibited would be "sore."

But in the end WEG "went a different direction," Link said, although he emphasized that the board wants to support the Tennessee Walking Horse group's efforts to rehabilitate its image and reform training methods.

"Ultimately, we decided (the Tennessee Walking Horse Group) was just probably not the best fit," Link said. "We do want to showcase the walking horse because it's inherent to Kentucky's culture."

Fifty-three equine organizations and presenters will be part of the Equine Village. The exhibited breeds will range from Andalusians to Connemaras to Paso Finos.
All information regarding the Equine Village is available on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Web site at www.alltechfeigames.com. Equine organizations seeking involvement in the Equine Village can contact Layson Griffin at layson.griffin@ky.gov or at 859-948-5919.

The World Games will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10, 2010.

NEWS - Western States Celebration Attended by USDA

I have fantastic news! I found out that the Western States Celebration, which was held in Mohave Valley, AZ the weekend of Oct 16-18, was shut down with the presence of the USDA!

The Western States Celebration has been going on for about three years now. It is advertised on the Tennessee Walking Horse Association of California's website as being in Laughlin, NV, but insiders have found out that it is actually in Mohave Valley, AZ, about a half hour south of Laughlin. They hold it at the Mojave Crossings Event Center. Mohave Valley is Native American Reservation land. The thought is that they are trying to hide this show from the Feds. There is no address or contact info listed on the website--only the class list.

The USDA showed up on Sunday, Oct 18. I was told that the main Big Lick trainer there tried to chase the USDA off, saying they have no jurisdiction because it is Native American Reservation land. The USDA had already looked into this, and yes, the Federal Government does have jurisdiction on Reservation land. While State laws are exempt, Federal laws aren't. But they went to the County Sheriff anyway, who of course confirmed this. So they came back to the show with the sheriff and everyone packed up and left.

Now, I do know this was a very, very sparsely attended show. Lots of classes were canceled, and there was usually only one horse per class, at the most three horses in a class. While this communicates to me that this type of showing is dying, the bad guys are still trying to keep it up, so it's important that if you hear about a BL show in your area to contact the USDA and let them know about it. Sometimes they already know, sometimes they don't, but better safe than sorry!

I sent the USDA an email thanking them for showing up at this show. I hope this sends a message to those trainers that they will find them no matter what, and it's time to stop this nonsense.