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What Is Soring? References and Articles |
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GENERAL INFORMATION
CLICK HERE FOR NEW INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FIGHT AGAINST SORING
CLICK HERE FOR TRUE, RECENT STORIES OF SORING
THE CLASSES FOR FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 25 AND SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 26, 2006 OF THE CELEBRATION WERE CANCELLED DUE TO INCONSISTENCIES IN THE INSPECTION PROCESSES. NO WORLD GRAND CHAMPION WAS CROWNED THIS YEAR DUE TO CLASS CANCELLATION. I have archived the information I had gathered on this event to make more room on my website. If you’d like to read it, please feel free to email me.
As of February 8, 2006, THE USDA HAS THROWN DOWN THE GAUNTLET AND CHALLENGED THE TWH INDUSTRY TO “STEP UP AND DO [THEIR] JOB.” See the below three links to find out what happened.
USDA to Industry: “Step Up or We Will”, The Voice magazine, March 2006. This article is the transcript of a listening session hosted by the USDA on February 8, 2006. This listening session explained the scar rule, the meaning of soring, and why it is continuing. The listening session was headed by Dr. Todd Behre and his presentation detailed real facts and information that proved that soring is still the main form of training TWHs. Dr. Behre’s parting statement: “You [the TWH industry] are at a crossroads and you can either step up and do your job or you can put us in a position where we have to do it for you. And if we’re forced to do it we will do it and we will not be very compassionate. It’s our job to enforce the regulations. Once it gets to be federal, it’s a completely different game.”
The USDA’s Listening Session Presentation. The USDA posted their presentation for their listening sessions on their website. The link to the presentation is under the heading “Recent Issues, Reports, and Highlights.” Note that this presentation is in Microsoft PowerPoint and is very large. If you have trouble downloading it, feel free to contact me and I can be sure you receive a copy of it.
The Transcript of the Question and Answer Session Following the USDA’s Listening Session Presentation. A Q&A and comments session was held after the listening session. Attendees put their name on a list and then were called up and allowed to voice their opinions and ask the USDA questions with no interruptions. The USDA had a professional court reporter transcribe the session and have also posted it on their website.
WEBSITES
Making the Gait A website showcasing the ground-breaking new novel exposing the abuse and corruption of the TWH industry. Sign up to receive emails on the book’s progress and check out their extensive links!
Sound Horse Conference 2008 The first annual sound horse conference was a wonderful success. The website has all of the presentations in video and audio formats. This information is crucial in educating the public about soring and working to end this practice.
HPA Violations List The USDA now publicly publishes the current HPA suspensions. The list is periodically updated by FOSH on their website.
USDA Animal Care Website Includes the Horse Protection Act and the Horse Protection Enforcement information.
NEW! USDA Horse Protection Website Direct link to the Horse Protection Act and detailed documents concerning the enforcement.
USDA Animal Care Newsroom The USDA’s news releases, program announcements and media advisories. In the blue box to the right, click “APHIS Releases” to view the latest information concerning the HPA.
The Sore Tennessee Walking Horse Includes information on the current use of thermography to detect soring and some excellent photographs.
Soring of Gaited Horses An article compiled by Rhonda Hart Poe.
1999 Celebration Controversy This is the true account about Champagne Watchout, a Keg/Lite Shod horse that was shown in the 1999 World Grand Championship class against padded horses. This is directly from Walkin’ On Ranch, owners and trainers of Champagne Watchout.
American Horse Defense Fund, Inc. While the AHDF is working to end all forms of horse abuse, they do have a whole section on soring and pressure shoeing that has some great statistics and facts.
BOOKS & ARTICLES
The following are transcripts of recent articles covering information about soring. In some cases I transcribed these articles to save website space.
Full Coverage of TWHBEA Semi-Annual Meeting, Saturday May 26, 2007; Attempts to Overthrow TWHBEA HIO Sanctioned Plan Failed. A huge debate at the semi-annual meeting had exhibitors, owners, trainers, etc. up in arms over the new TWHBEA HIO plan. From the text: “The semi-annual meeting of the International Board of Directors of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association proved to be contentious as the split between industry factions widened.”
HIO Meeting Summary, June 13-14, 2006, Pomona, CA, NWHA National News, August/September 2006. This article is important because it illustrates the direct approach the USDA and other groups are taking to help stop soring. It also summarizes the USDA listening sessions and the outcome of those sessions. The USDA is specifically quoted as saying “In conclusion, the industry needs to acknowledge that soring still exists and make a sincere effort to stop it.”
From The Horse’s Mouth by Eugene Davis, Rhoman Books, 2002. This book will put no doubt in your mind that soring does exist and it is a serious problem. Written from the horses’ points of view, the book covers real events that have happened to the author and trusted friends of the author. All of the stories are true—the names have been changes to protect the innocent so the guilty do not threaten them. From the back cover: “This story exposes the awful truth behind the multi-million dolar Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Through the lives of two innocent horses we discover the painful fait of many....Equine nobility, innocence, and truth, grapple with human cruelty, greed, and duplicity. It is an epic battle that continues after the final pages are turned, entrusting the reader with the knowledge of blatant atrocities which cannot be ignored.” The book is available from most online bookstores.
Why Soring Persists, Equus magazine, November 2005 This article was featured as a Special Report in the November 2005 issue of Equus magazine. The article is extremely important because it is written by a woman who didn’t know anything about soring before she started research for this article, and she witnessed true evidence that soring still persists during her research. Please note: this is a new link posted per my request to Equus to transcribe their article. Unfortunately due to copyright laws I can’t transcribe the article myself, but I thank all of the staff at Equus for taking my request to heart and providing it on an international source for everyone to be able to read!
A Sore Issue: The Debate on Soring, Horse Illustrated magazine, July 2004 This article is well written because it gives equal time to both sides of the soring debate.
Into the Hurricane, The Gaited Horse Magazine, as reprinted in the NWHA National News, February/March 2006 This article is an interview with Don Bell, the Director of Operations and one of the founders of the NWHA. He explains what the motivation behind soring is, having formerly sored horses himself. This is a great example of someone who has reformed and is working to pass along the message that soring is still the prevalent form of training Big Lick TWHs. |
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“The world is a dangerous place to live— |
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~ Albert Einstein |
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“What chance does [the world] have If the good people do nothing?” |
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~ Rachel Dawes, Batman Begins |
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The following are links to websites that contain factual information about soring. Please know that I am only including information that is based in facts, not hearsay or gossip. I either know the owners of these websites or I personally endorse the information. |
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Phone: 602-686-3376 |
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Contact us at: |
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Silver Phoenix Ranch Website ● © 1999-2009 ● All Rights Reserved |
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Click above for my blog with updates on information about the fight against soring |
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I decided to create the above blog because it’s a lot easier to use than updating my website each time more information about the fight against soring comes my way. I will also use the blog in lieu of my email updates. So please, be sure to visit the blog for important information on a regular basis and to continue learning how we can end this practice. Thank you! |