“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 […]
Did Trump kill rules to protect walking horses?
Horse advocates fear the worst WASHINGTON D.C.––Reports differ as to whether the Donald Trump administration has killed or just delayed new Horse Protection Act of 1970 enforcement regulations meant to protect walking horses from soring. The new regulations, introduced by the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service on January 13, 2017, just a week before […]
810 allegedly starving horses impounded from Wild Horse Annie’s charity
International Society for the Protection of Mustangs & Burros and Friends of Animals were leading foes of PZP for wild horses LANTRY, South Dakota––The International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros, a leading opponent of contracepting wild horses, has surrendered custody of about 810 allegedly neglected horses, some apparently at imminent risk of […]
Kentucky Congressman who fought for walking horses resigns
Ed Whitfield stood against making horses goose-step SHELBYVILLE, Tennessee––Congressman Ed Whitfield, a Kentucky Republican known for his attempts to reform the walking horse industry, on August 31, 2016 gave participants in the 78th annual Tennessee National Walking Horse Celebration something extra to celebrate by announcing his resignation from Congress, effective at 6 p.m. on […]