![A.Howe with Papa's Royal Delight, Multiple Grand Champion Walking Horse, only shows at "sound" shows](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/hash/ca/04/ca041b7fa063cdf0935a53f97fca73a7.jpg "A.Howe with Papa's Royal Delight, Multiple Grand Champion Walking Horse, only shows at "sound" shows")
Due to ongoing controversy over federal violations, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders & Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA) will not be represented at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky later this year.
Instead, the WEG is choosing to showcase the beauty and versatility of the southern walking horse with representatives of the National Walking Horse Association (NWHA), which has a zero tolerance policy for violations of the federal Horse Protection Act, which continues to plague the TWHBEA.
The TWHBEA had already agreed that there would be no horses displayed at the WEG in pads or chains, otherwise known as "action devices", but it was acknowledged that the organization still promotes this antiquated method of forcing horses to step unnaturally as its top level of "performance".
Additionally, the TWHBEA has ongoing difficulties with a leadership that is comprised of a large number of people who have a history of Horse Protection Act violations. Of 115 people on the Board of Directors in 2007, 43 of them had violations, and the trend continues today. Not only do violators serve on the Board of Directors both past and present, but they are also integral in many affiliated Horse Industry Organizations which are responsible for enforcing the very laws that they have been guilty of violating.
Until the TWHBEA can find the willpower and resolve to permanently clean its henhouse of the foxes that have been guarding it, the equestrian community at large will continue to have a difficult time taking it seriously. This is a terrible shame, both on Tennessee, and owners of Tennessee Walking Horses worldwide. As more and more people find out the true pleasure of owning a Walking Horse, they are increasingly turning to other breeds or registries due to the same controversy that influenced the decision to exclude the TWHBEA from the World Equestrian Games.
Don't forget to check out Examiner.com's Spring Fling adoption drive!
Comments
Good for the WEG!
Tracy - Nashville Natural Pet Care and Training Examiner
I agree. Standing up for the issues needs to start somewhere. Good for them.
Loretta
thenaturalhorsemanblog
Great decision!
Way to go WEG.. Stand your ground on this..
What the TWHBEA is not horsemanship or sport - it's abuse of horses. Way to go World Equestrian Games!
Again, this person is just stirring poop. this is old news. the main reason twhbea is not at weg is nwha located at the horse park. TWHBEA has nothing to do with inspecting horses they are the breed registry only.
I will never forget back in 1999 when I visited a barn near Sand Springs, Oklahoma, where my friend was looking at buying a Tennessee Walker that was for sale. As she talked to the barn manager about the horse, I watched a trainer riding a young Walking Horse. I noticed the horse was wearing chains around each hoof but, at the time, had no idea what they were for. Occasionally, this beautiful horse would rear up and gig sideways only to be whipped back into submission and then the same technique was started again. I did notice some bleeding on a right rear hoof and questioned the trainer. He said "I'll take a look at it in about 15 minutes when I finish this session". I had no idea what really was going on. There needs to be an outside oversite committee nominated with voting power to override anything this elite group of Directos try to pass. I don't know what it is going to take to turn this industry trend around. There needs to be a complete overhaul of this horrific abuse.
I too have witnessed abuse done to these beautiful horses.
Horses trained to do the unnatural, "Big Lick", with all the chains and pads will no more pass that on to its offspring than expecting a white horse to pass on purple spots because you paint the spots on the sire and dam.
God you people are idiots! LOL
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!