Canadian horse slaughterhouse may have closed in anticipation of U.S. competition FORT MacLEOD, Alberta; WASHINGTON D.C.––Animal advocates celebrating the recent closure of the Bouvry Exports horse slaughterhouse in Fort MacLeod, Alberta, once the biggest in Canada, may be celebrating prematurely. The real reason for the Bouvry Exports slaughterhouse closing may be anticipation that horse slaughter […]
Photos posted just before “Big Lick” barn fire illustrated multiple hazards
“This disaster was preventable and shows why the Big Lick needs to end,” says Citizens Against Big Lick. SEAGROVE, North Carolina––Only minutes after ANIMALS 24-7 posted Year of the Fire Horse arrives early, hits “Big Lickers” in North Carolina, our initial coverage of the Callicutt Stables barn fire that on February 15, 2026 killed 36 […]
Year of the Fire Horse arrives early, hits “Big Lickers” in North Carolina
36 walking horses killed, with seven survivors, in barn fire at former “Big Lick” world champion Callicutt Stables SEAGROVE, North Carolina––The Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese astrological calendar cycle formally begins on February 17, 2026, but arrived two days early in Seagrove, North Carolina, where a fire breaking out around 12:45 p.m. […]
Bondi promises federal prosecutors; Hochul protects horseshoe crabs
Can U.S. attorney general Bondi actually deliver? Can horseshoe crabs recover? NEW YORK, N.Y.––Which will help more animals, a December 20, 2025 promise by U.S. attorney general Pam Bondi on the Fox Network television show My View with Lara Trump to appoint federal prosecutors for Animal Welfare Act cases, not yet backed by money […]
National Celebration of “Big Lick” mostly celebrates getting away with it
The annual event appears to be more about defiance than about the horses SHELBYVILLE, Tennessee––Empty seats to the left of them, empty seats to the right of them, horse manure piling up behind them, into the 87th annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration rode 1,300 contestants in the world’s most notorious exhibition of what the […]
“All identified” in Big Lickers attack on members of Horse Plus Humane Society
Three members of Preisner family injured for videotaping Big Lick horses & riders COLUMBIA, Tennessee––“Update: Thank you. All attackers identified!” the Horse Plus Humane Society of Hohenwald, Tennessee posted to Facebook late on June 1, 2025. The identification may facilitate either criminal prosecution or a civil lawsuit seeking extensive damages. Identification of the suspects, whom […]
Trump USDA announces “Big Lick” equine circles of hell to continue
A Donald Trump administration for the second time scraps a soring rule just before it was to take effect WASHINGTON D.C.––The politics of trying to reform the “Big Lick” show horse industry much resemble “Big Lick” horse shows themselves. First the horses, whose legs have often been sored to induce the “Big Lick” goosestep, […]
Winning one for the horses––and perhaps a big win for greyhounds too
Biggest show in U.K. agrees that a tail is an essential part of a horse GLASGOW, Scotland––“Some great news for a change!” emailed Animal Concern Scotland campaigns officer Elena Edwards on March 3, 2025, but Edwards bannered the intention of the Welsh government to close the last greyhound track in Wales above her own unique […]
“Big lickers” reined in, but tongue-tied horses remain at mercy of shavetails
Soring horses to induce the “big lick” is far from the only questionable training & show tactic SHELBYVILLE, Tennessee––Keith Dane, senior director of equine protection for the Humane Society of the United States, was optimistic after the 86th annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee concluded over the Labor Day weekend that an end […]
PETA steals the Olympics dressage show. Now what about rodeo?
PETA video embarrasses three top riders in just three days, but only SHARK appears to have cameras watching rodeo & charreada PARIS, France; PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania––As equestrian events get underway at the 2024 summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals [PETA] has already stolen the show. Allegations of abuse against […]