Big Lick Tennessee Walking Horses: From Sore to Soaring

The Big Lick Tennessee Walking Horses have a unique history that's steeped in controversy. The breed originated in the 19th century in the southeastern United States.

Their distinctive gait, known as the "big lick", was initially developed as a result of selective breeding for horses with a naturally high-stepping action. This gait was highly prized for its smooth, rhythmic motion.

But the road to developing this breed was paved with pain and suffering for the horses. Many were subjected to soring, a painful practice where the horse's hooves are cauterized or otherwise injured to make them lift their legs higher.

It's heartbreaking to think that horses were treated this way, but thankfully, the breed has made significant strides in recent years.

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The Tennessee Walking Horse has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century.

Its origins can be traced back to the 19th century when it was bred by J.W. "Jack" Bennett in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

The breed was developed from the Timid Mare, a horse known for its calm temperament, and the Wambaw Stallion, a horse with a smooth gait.

The Tennessee Walking Horse was specifically bred for its smooth gait, which made it ideal for long-distance riding.

This gait, known as the "running walk", is a four-beat gait that is smooth and comfortable for riders.

The breed's popularity grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with many breeders developing their own lines of Tennessee Walking Horses.

The American Walking Horse Association (AWHA) was founded in 1935 to promote and standardize the breed.

The AWHA established the breed's first breed standard in 1940, which included characteristics such as a calm temperament, a smooth gait, and a distinctive head shape.

Soring is a practice that involves rubbing irritants or blistering agents into the lower leg of a Tennessee Walking Horse to accentuate the effects of their gait, causing them to step higher in the show ring.

This painful practice has been around since the 1950s and became prevalent in the 1960s, attracting negative public attention and leading to the introduction of the Horse Protection Act of 1970.

Trainers have found ways to circumvent inspections by timing pain-killers to wear off before the horse enters the ring or causing pain elsewhere to distract the horse.

The US Department of Agriculture has recently announced changes to put an end to this industry, banning chains from all shows by the end of February and stacks by January 1, 2018.

Pads used for medical/therapeutic purposes will not be banned, and the new changes apply only to the TWH breed and "racking horses".

Many Tennessee Walking Horses have suffered from soring, developing scars and a tense, high-headed, and hollow-backed frame.

Dressage training has been shown to be effective in rehabilitating Big Lick Tennessee Walking Horses, helping them develop a natural four-beat gait and relax their posture.

With gentle hands, a snaffle bit, and light leg cues, these horses can learn to trust their riders and perform without rushing or tension.

In fact, a Big Lick survivor named Sweet Caroline was able to transform her tense frame and develop a natural four-beat gait with the help of dressage training.

The Tennessee Walking Horse is a breed known for its smooth gaits and calm demeanor.

They originated in the 19th century as a result of crossing the Standardbred with the Narragansett Pacer.

The breed's name is a nod to its Tennessee roots, where it was developed and perfected over time.

Tennessee Walking Horses are often used for trail riding and pleasure riding due to their comfortable gait.

They typically stand between 14.2 and 17 hands high and weigh between 900 and 1,200 pounds.

The breed's popularity surged in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s.

Tennessee Walking Horses are known for their versatility and can be used for a variety of activities, including trail riding, pleasure riding, and even competition.

Big Lick Tennessee Walking Horses are known for their distinctive gait, which is a four-beat lateral gait that allows riders to sit comfortably in the saddle.

Their unique gait is made possible by a specific type of hoof action, where the hooves strike the ground in a way that creates a smooth, gliding motion.

This gait has been prized for centuries, with evidence suggesting it was admired by European colonizers in the 18th century.

The breed's popularity soared in the 19th century, with the first Tennessee Walking Horse breed association established in 1935.

One of the breed's most famous characteristics is its "big lick" action, which is characterized by a rapid, high-stepping gait.

Soring is a painful practice that involves applying chemicals or mechanical agents to a horse's lower legs to cause pain, making them lift their legs high. This practice is illegal under the federal Horse Protection Act, but loopholes have allowed it to continue.

Trainers use caustic chemicals like kerosene, diesel, and mustard oil to sorer horses, and they also use chains and pads to cause pain. In some cases, trainers have even gone as far as inserting nails, screws, and thumb tacks into the horse's limbs.

The Big Lick performance, which is the main reason for soring, cannot exist without abuse and soring. This is according to Jacqueline Graham, a former Big Lick competitor who quit riding at age 12 due to the horse's suffering.

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Soring is a widespread problem in the southeastern US, where the Tennessee Walking Horse breed is popular. Despite being banned by the federal Horse Protection Act in 1970, soring continues to this day due to loopholes and lack of enforcement.

The PAST Act, which aims to ban soring devices, replace industry self-policing with outside inspectors, and strengthen penalties, has been introduced in Congress several times but has yet to be passed.

Soring is a practice that involves rubbing irritants or blistering agents into the lower leg of a Tennessee Walking Horse to accentuate the effects. This can cause the horse to step higher.

The Horse Protection Act of 1970 was introduced to stop soring, but it seems that the practice had become so ingrained that people found ways around it. Trainers would often administer pain-killers to their horses before inspections, so the horses wouldn't flinch or show signs of pain.

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Soring was often used in conjunction with chains and stacks, which were used to accentuate the horse's gait. The US Department of Agriculture has finally announced changes that should put an end to this industry.

By the end of February this year, chains will be banned from all shows, and stacks will be gone by January 1, 2018. This will give horses time to adjust to flat shoes, which will replace stacks.