And California voters dump horse racing bail-out measure WASHINGTON D.C.––The U.S. House of Representatives on November 14, 2022 for the second time passed the PAST Act, short for Prevent All Soring Tactics, and sent it to the U.S. Senate, where for the second time it is likely to pull up lame. But maybe not. Before […]
The “Big Lick,” Tunica, & the smell of horse manure in the morning
“Big Lick” industry hopes to raise a defense fund at show finale brunches in center ring TUNICA, Mississippi––Tennessee walking horse “Big Lick” fanciers either love the smell of horse manure in the morning, or, when converging for shows at the Paul Battle Arena, miss the odor of Sugar Ditch Alley, the open sewer for which […]
“Big Lick” horses win in court. Can they get a break from Congress?
Trump killed rule meant to stop soring WASHINGTON D.C.––Former U.S. President Donald Trump in January 2017 improperly blocked a new USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service rule meant to protect show horses from taking effect, ruled a three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on July 22, […]
Walking Horse National Celebration: don’t bet on the numbers
“Banned for life” trainer passed out a trophy SHELBYVILLE, Tennessee––Just what was celebrated at the 2021 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration? It wasn’t certainly wasn’t either ethics or economic success. Attendance, participation, and prize money claims included in Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration publicity appear to distort reality at least as much as the […]
Will anti-show horse soring bill pull up lame through last-hurdle compromise?
What would Marty Irby, Wayne Pacelle & Lamar Alexander think if weighted shoes were on their feet? UPDATE received on December 18, 2020, from Bernard Unti, senior policy advisor, Humane Society of the U.S.: “I’m pleased to share the news that the reckless attempt by an embittered faction within animal protection to swap in a […]
Indiana ruling may help L.A. woman now in critical from adopted pit bull
Indiana Court of Appeals reinforces shelter duty to inform adopters of dogs’ past attacks LOS ANGELES, INDIANAPOLIS––Reports from Los Angeles indicate that a recent Indiana appellate decision could have a multi-million dollar impact on a yet-to-be filed case in which a 70-year-old woman is reportedly in critical condition from an attack by a pit […]
Why not spay wild horses? Technique has barely been tested
Bureau of Land Management backs away from proposed trial of equine colpotomy PORTLAND, Oregon––Asked a lifelong horse advocate and high donor to wild horse, cat, and dog sterilization projects, by email to ANIMALS 24-7, “Do you have any ideas as to a competent equine vet with relevant experience who might be able to opine […]
Thinking out-of-the-horse-box to save wild horses from slaughter
by Anthony Marr When Charles Darwin first revealed his theory of evolution, his friend Thomas Huxley exclaimed, “It is so simple and obvious! Why didn’t I think of it?!” It is because Huxley, like most people, thought inside the box, meaning within the confines of an established concept, while Darwin not only thought outside the box, but […]
Big win over the “big lick” walking horse industry in 2018 federal budget
“Big lickers” kicked, but Congress kicked back WASHINGTON D.C.––Winning increasingly often against initially steep odds, BillyGoBoy and friends opposed to soring horses to make them step higher appear likely to enjoy the last horse laugh over the walking horse show industry. Walking horse shows have been infamously dominated for decades by trainers who––defying the […]
Could soring horses leave top Republicans limping in red-state Tennessee?
Political columnist & senior attorney both think so CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee––Could being associated with soring horses to induce the “Big Lick” goose step favored at walking horse shows cost the Republican candidates the 2018 Tennessee gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections? Roy Exum thinks it could. And attorney Clant Seay, a 72-year-old walking horse show breeder turned […]