What is soring the Tennessee walkers?

Soring is an illegal practice that involves intentionally injuring Tennessee Walking Horses' hooves to produce an exaggerated, high-stepping gait. The injury creates a sensation similar to walking on marbles, causing the horses to lift their front feet higher and faster.

Soring is commonly achieved through various techniques, including applying caustic substances to the hooves or inserting foreign objects between the shoes and the horse's sole. The practice can cause severe pain, chronic lameness, and permanent damage to the horses' tendons, ligaments, and joints.

The Horse Protection Act (HPA) of 1970 was enacted to prevent soring and other acts considered animal abuses in relation to the showing, exhibiting, or selling of horses. However, enforcement challenges and the continuation of soring practices led to the Horse Protection Act Amendments of 1990, which included enhanced penalties for violations and the establishment of a designated Horse Protections Division within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

USDA inspectors are authorized to examine horses exhibited at walking horse shows and take any necessary action to stop soring or other prohibited acts. Those found in violation of the HPA may face penalties, including fines, disqualification from shows and events, and potential criminal prosecution.

The industry has made efforts to address the problem of soring through self-regulation and by promoting natural gaiting rather than soring or other abusive practices. However, soring continues to be a concern, and animal welfare organizations continue to advocate for stricter enforcement and more comprehensive measures to protect horses from this abusive practice.