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Brenda Im
Pasture Boss
| Joined: | Tue Dec 7th, 2004 |
| Location: | New York USA |
| Posts: | 2144 |
| Mana: |   |
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Posted: Sat Sep 2nd, 2006 06:05 pm |
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Here's what's going into our Next Going 4-Gait Gold. I've decided to make it a public policy statement.
Gaits of Gold Supports Sound Horse Organizations
Personal Note: After much thought, and no small amount of prayer, I've decided to make a public stand on issues surrounding our precious gaited horses. It is my hope that many of our Gaits of Gold family will join me on this new 'soapbox.'
The USDA was an active force at the recent TWH Show and Celebration in Shelbyville, TN. The strong presence of USDA inspectors caused many trainers to load up and go home. Of those who stayed to show, enough were disqualified that the resulting furor caused show officials to stop classes on Friday night and much of Saturday. This was unprecedented in the history of the Show.
The publicity surrounding these events offer those of us with a vested interest in the sound horse movement a prime opportunity for pushing our agenda for the humane treatment and training of all gaited horses. We can take advantage of the groundswell of interest, and use this as a catalyst for permanent change. Those of us who really care about this issue must be determined not to lose the momentum that has been generated!
There's no end to the horror stories relating to sored horses - and evil practices are not limited to the TWH industry. We at Gaits of Gold believe horse owners can best take a stand against these practices by helping to demonstrate by word and practice the better, more humane, way of doing things. Simply arguing our point of view with someone whose beliefs and methods are contrary to sound horsemanship is futile, in the long run. Most people are drawn to light, and angry words do not shed any of that precious commodity.
Two 'lights' that are doing an overall good job of helping to promote sound gaited horsemanship are Friends of the Sound Horse (FOSH), and the National Walking Horse Association (NWHA). Both organizations are committed to zero tolerance for artificial training devices and/or soring of horses. Both offer show venues for people who want to show sound horses. Have there been some individuals who have managed to slip some of these things past the organizations' watch dogs? You bet. People are people (or, as a friend says: "pipples be pipples.") But the overall goals and methods of these organizations are to be highly commended, and supported in whatever way possible.
Both of these organizations struggle financially. There are Big Bucks in the Big Lick and other organizations that permit 'enhanced show gaits.' Not so with natural horse organizations. Trail riders don't pay to promote 'their' horses, and usually have limited interest in showing, where payment of fees to enter classes helps support the sponsoring entitites. Neither do we pay Big Bucks to Big Name 'trainers,' who also support the Bigger organization.
Nevertheless, if we believe that there ought to be a stop to rewarding artificial gaits and the practices associated with them, then we owe it to our horses and our consciences to support this cause in some tangible manner. You may choose to become an educated judge, or DQP (show horse inspector). You can promote the organization(s) on your own web sites. You can put a bumper sticker on your car, or purchase a T-shirt that helps spread the word while helping to support the organization. Becoming actively involved doesn't need to be a full-time committment - but if you genuinely want to see an end to all the various forms of abuse, then for goodness sake, do something. At the very least, pay for a membership in one or both of these worthwhile organizations.
Gaits of Gold, Inc. is investigating ways of becoming a more active and useful supporter of effective sound horse organizations. We will keep you updated when we've decided the best ways that we can become involved, and how that will affect you. Folks, let's put an end to sored horses in our lifetime!!!
Information on Soring Practices
Whenever this topic comes up you hear as a defense that not all Big Lick horses are sored. This is true. Many people who own B.L. horses pay to keep them with trainers whom they trust - but who nevertheless go behind closed doors with the horses and administer 'training aids' that the owner knows nothing about. Are the owners morally responsible for this? In my opinion, yes. When a person takes on the responsiblity of horse ownership, he or she is obliged to become educated as to the things that constitute good horsemanship, for the welfare of the animal. It is also my educated opinion that padded and chained horse training goes against the primary principles of responsible horsemanship. Even where no soring is involved, the horses suffer from pain and early biomechanical breakdown as a direct result of common training, shoeing, and tack practices.
I am posting the following links in the hopes that as more people become personally familiar with Big Lick training practices (and these same types of things go on in virtually every breed related show venue), our readers will become motivated toward becoming actively involved in the Sound Horse Movement. Again: let's put a stop to sored horses in our lifetime!!!
One brave whistle blower's story: http://www.silverphoenixranch.com/index_files/Page2089.htm
What soring is really all about:
Once you're through with the above article, replace the Page 2089 with 1156.htm. (Can't give the link here as it brings up code for a gog emoticon).
Another thorough treatment: http://www.eagleridge-twh.com/soredhorses.htm
Gaits of Gold family: we can make a difference. Let's go for it!
I'll leave this topic open so that you can tell us what you've done to get involved. We will be sending out 'surprise' GOG gift items to some of you as a way of saying Thanx.
Last edited on Sun Sep 3rd, 2006 03:52 pm by Brenda Im
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You must not think me necessarily foolish because I am facetious, nor will I consider you necessarily wise because you are grave.
Sydney Smith (1771 - 1845)
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redwax
G.O.G Community Member
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Posted: Sat Sep 2nd, 2006 08:52 pm |
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i have written ,called my congressman,i have spoken at rallies,given out copies of the HPA.when ever i get a chance .say NO to soring!!!
i guess the best thing was when at a NC big lick,show,this trainer/rider( i know) was showing and i yelled out He uses MUSTARD OIL to make his horse walk like that.alot of Folks stoped to ask me what it was and why he did that.and Yes i was sure he did ,i had been in his barn with his family and i know the smell. He would use roller bearings too under the pads.
redwax
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It is well with my Soul
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lastchance
Ranch Hand
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Posted: Sun Sep 3rd, 2006 01:40 pm |
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I am a member of both FOSH and NWHA and I have never shown my TWHs. I send them money if I can even if it is only $5.00. I have written and emailed any and all people involved with this issue. I know it may sound contradictory but I am also a member of TWHBEA. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer! This way I can also lend a voice from within. They have gotten better about promoting the trail horse. I talk up my breed when ever I can and proudly wear my GOG "Go natural or go home" T-shirt everywhere! Jen
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Friends don't let friends ride trotting horses!
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fancywalkerlady
G.O.G Community Member
| Joined: | Fri Dec 2nd, 2005 |
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| Posts: | 88 |
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Posted: Mon Sep 4th, 2006 12:29 am |
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I belong to several naturally gaited horse groups on yahoo and we have decided to e-mail CNN to see if we can get them to do an update on their soring video from 20 years ago and a few of us have even went to Geraldo Rivera's site to suggest he do an investigation on the soring of the Walking Horses. We are making progress, even if it is just small steps right now, we are getting closer to seeing the end of soring these horses. I would like to see all abusive practices for all breeds of horses ended once and for all, but we will have to just keep at it and keep working and eventually we will see it happen. It sounds like this has hit them where it hurts the worst, in their pockets, and I've always said that is what it will take to put an end to all this garbage.
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Brenda Im
Pasture Boss
| Joined: | Tue Dec 7th, 2004 |
| Location: | New York USA |
| Posts: | 2144 |
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Posted: Mon Sep 4th, 2006 02:56 am |
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DebbieH sent me the following informational URL. Everyone should go through this presentation by Dr. Behre, a courageous opponent to soring TWH's:
http://www.tennessean.com/assets/pdf/DN4007893.PDF
PB 
____________________
You must not think me necessarily foolish because I am facetious, nor will I consider you necessarily wise because you are grave.
Sydney Smith (1771 - 1845)
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Hurleycane
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Posted: Mon Sep 4th, 2006 01:58 pm |
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Last edited on Tue Sep 12th, 2006 07:31 pm by
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bel cavallo
G.O.G Community Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 4th, 2006 03:22 pm |
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I joined FOSH and have contacted our congressman. There is one barn in my area which I have heard referred to as a "torture chamber" by more than a few farriers, and I am looking in to which agency to best report it to, to prompt an investigation.
It occured to me that if we can make an impression on the next generation, we will have a doubly effective approach: eradicating existing soring through regulation and enforcement, and preventing future soring through education. I've been printing out articles explaining the horrors of soring and giving them to young riders in my area.
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"No hour of life is lost that is spent in the saddle" Winston Churchill
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redwax
G.O.G Community Member
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Posted: Mon Sep 4th, 2006 04:17 pm |
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I tried posting the HPA Law on the bullentin board at local FEED story, they took it down so up it goes again.
what a game!! but i'll keep doing it tell they leave it alone.
DID YA KNOW!!!
That soring is against the law! check-out ,HORSE PROTECTION ACT!
google : HORSE PROTECTION ACT:
then i sign it.
redwax
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It is well with my Soul
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twhstone
G.O.G Community Member
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Posted: Tue Sep 5th, 2006 12:56 am |
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| A friend of mine showed up at a biglick twhbea show with her yearling to show in the flatshod halter class. She wore her FOSH shirt! I won't even participate in any show that has padded horses and tell everyone that will even listen about natural twhs. I'm also careful to look at breeding and try to find natural horses and people that breed them. I htink I will look into joining FOSH or NWHA. Thanks everyone for reminding me not to give up-
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T-N-T
G.O.G Community Member
| Joined: | Wed Sep 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | La Junta, CO |
| Posts: | 9 |
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Posted: Fri Nov 14th, 2008 09:15 pm |
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Today I came to the sight to try and figure out what it was called when the horses I saw on youtube (looking at TWHers) look like they are practically sitting with there front legs up so high and how you would get a horse to that since it looks SOOO unnatural. I'm in tears now... and completly at a loss as how anyone could do those things to my (our) best friends. You can bet I will be joining those FOSH ect. and looking alot more into all of this!
Trouble troubled
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SMILE
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