T is astonishing, revolting list of violations and names of the violators, and many more facts of the continued eff orts that shine the light on the despicable practice can be found at www.
stopsoring.com. T is easy to use database is an important facet of FOSH’s eff ort in using education and publicity to try to get r e
legislation passed that will forever end soring. “T e USDA has a practice of regulating soring, not eliminating it. And as long as that’s the approach horses will continue to suff er,” said FOSH President Teresa Bippen.
Equine Agility is a new program off ered by FOSH in its Gaited Sport Horse Program for
the fi rst time this year. Here is the Tennessee Walker Lady C weaving through poles with handler Kristi Unsell. Photo by Kate Austin
Starting with just a handful of members, today FOSH is the fastest growing gaited horse organization in the country and has become an umbrella group for all gaited breeds, striving to not only protect but also to spotlight the greatness of all gaited breeds. FOSH has been on the forefront of popular- izing “gaited dressage” and has created a dressage test that makes it possible for riders and owners of any gaited breed to join in the fun, excitement and rewards of dressage. T eir eff orts in that arena have introduced hundreds of owners, riders and horses to the benefi ts of participating in dressage. “Everyone from the most serious competitor to casual trail riders can improve their relationship with their horse by practicing a few dressage techniques, and FOSH is thrilled to be able to off er this venue.” Teresa said. “And the US Dressage Federation has even put a link on their website to ours listing our gaited dressage program as a resource for
he mo their judges, as more gaited breeds are entering the dressage world!”
Recently FOSH created “T e Gaited Sport Horse Program,” reaching out to owners and riders of all gaited horses with exciting programs both inside and outside the show ring. T ey’ve
FOSH has accomplished so much together with volunteers who devote their time, efforts and hearts to safeguarding those horses who have no way of defending themselves. Everyone at FOSH is a
volunteer—there is no paid staff. Everyone is there for the sake of the horse.
RELIEF FOR TENNESSEE WALKING HORSES? By Teresa Bippen, President of FOSH
Tennessee Walking Horses may fi nally
fi nd relief after enduring decades of sor- ing. H.R. 1518 (Prevent All Soring Tactics, or PAST) strengthens penalties for Horse Protection Act soring violations and bans the use of pads and chains (action devices) on Tennessee Walking Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses and Racking Horses. The bill is supported by FOSH and major animal welfare groups such as the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASP- CA), Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Horse Council (AHC). Such relief cannot arrive too soon for
walking horses. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) released swabbing results for 2012 TWH shows, and the results were appalling. Of 24 shows swabbed, the overall average for testing positive for foreign substances, including numb- ing agents, was 65%. Numbing agents are used on a horse’s front legs to ensure
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they pass inspection when checked by a designated qualifi ed person (DQP) before entering the show ring. The numbing agents wear off by the time the horse is exhibited so they still achieve their pain induced, high-stepping gait. The percentage of foreign substances
abuse is even higher for the walking horse industry’s most revered show, the National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee, held each year in August. In 2012, the USDA swabbed 190 horses, and 145 tested posi- tive (76%) for foreign substances including caustic agents and numbing substances. It is highly possible the horses that tested positive went on to win their classes and now hold titles of World Grand Champi- ons (WGC) on their registration papers. Although swabbing has been ongoing by the USDA for several years, at this time there has been no eff ort by Celebration management or the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA) to remove titles from horses that tested positive for foreign substances.
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