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The Tennessee Walking Horse, Star and Martyr:
Relatively unknown in France, the Tennessee Walking Horse is an absolute industry in the United States, with approximately 400,000 registered horses and 20,000 registered training facilities. But at what price?
Originally created by the owners of Southern plantations who named it the "southern plantation walking horse" and widely used during the Civil War, the Tennessee Walking Horse (or Tennessee Walker) has always been esteemed by American riders for its endurance, stamina and comfort. The Tennessee Walking Horse performs three natural, highly prized gaits: the flat walk, a brisk, four-cornered gait; the running walk, a faster version of the flat walk; and the canter, a refined gallop whose easy rise and fall motion makes the rider feel like s/he is in a rocking chair. Incidentally, it is said that Tom Hal, one of the breed’s creators, covered the 78.9 miles from Lexington to Louisville, KY in a single day, between sunup and sundown, on the same horse that had carried him the 643 miles from Philadelphia to Lexington only a short time before!
Today, the "TWH," as it is known, is mainly used as a show horse. It is a docile, relatively small horse with a natural talent for ambling; it is also robust and brilliant, although a bit ordinary as far as conformation is concerned. Alas, these characteristics turn against the horse. To understand the evolution of the breed and the serious problems that it currently faces, it is necessary to reflect for a moment on the shows.
The largest event devoted to the Tennessee Walking Horse takes place every August in Shelbyville, in the heart of Tennessee. This "celebration," as it is called (the name refers to both the event and the organizer) made its debut in 1939 and has been held yearly since 1948. This huge, highly impressive gathering attracts fervent enthusiasts to a one-acre equestrian complex for ten days to celebrate the glory--or rather, the ostensible glory- of the Tennessee Walking Horse. The 150-odd events and the rich prize list of approximately $450,000 attract nearly 1,800 competitors and 35,000 spectators. The exhibitions are held on an oval track approximately 80 meters long by 20 meters wide on which the horses demonstrate the quality of their gaits, to the applause of the spectators. Numerous categories have been created to showcase horses based on the number of gaits, harnessing, type of attire (English or Western) as well as age (the events are open to horses two years of age and older).
In a nutshell, one can distinguish between two main types of horses:
"lite shods" have long legs and nearly normal shoes, whereas "big licks" have approximately 6-inch high wooden shoes and chains around the pastern. This paraphernalia is supposed to amplify the movements of the forelegs. (Imagine yourself running a marathon with high-heeled wedge shoes and you'll have some idea of the torture that these horses endure!) "Big licks"[1] are shown only under "English" attire, so to speak, with bits whose shanks can exceed 8 inches in length and spurs that quite often dig into the stifle joints, due to the position of the rider. The particularly upright position of the tail is due to a cut nerve or sometimes to atrophy of the tail lowering muscles caused by a reinforced crupper harness!
These horses are never without their "shoes," which distribute their weight unevenly and cause severe pain in the long run. It is not unusual to see horses stopped "on a quarter" (weight on the hind feet, all four feet close together) to find relief. They spend most of their time in the stall lying down and rarely leave the stable. Stables have a large central passage up to 250 yards long, allowing the horses to be worked indoors. Not surprisingly, because the hocks continuously bear a large proportion of the horse's weight, they are subjected to heavy use and thus deteriorate very quickly, requiring frequent injections. Seen from behind, the horses make quite an impression, although unfortunately not a favorable one.
But there is worse: in the early 1950s, a technique called
"soring" (i.e., causing pain) was developed in order to obtain ever higher and more spectacular gaits. Soring involves applying heating products to the pasterns[2] and using tape and chains to reinforce the heating action. In the beginning, mustard oil and diesel oil were used.
In 1972, under pressure from several groups, a federal law was passed whose goal was to protect show horses in general and the Tennessee Walking Horse particular, insofar as it was the TWH that comprised the largest number of mistreated horses. It was not unusual to see permanently crippled horses or animals with bloody sides or legs. This law effectively outlawed soring practices and imposed limits on the weight of chains used. Thereafter, a team of federal veterinarians was organized to test horses on site at shows, but soon the organizations that represent breeders and trainers asked the Department of Agriculture for permission to self-regulate their practices. These organizations thus created their own regulatory bodies, whose members are appointed by organizers of shows and exhibitions, and thus indirectly by the breeders’ and trainers’ organizations themselves. Consequently, the quality of the tests is unreliable and despite the fact that certain organizations have simply banned big licks from their shows, fraudulent practices are still widespread. What is more, preparing for testing is an integral part of the horses’ training. It is "forcefully" explained to them that above all, they had better not move a muscle when they have to pass in front of the inspector, even if this means injecting them with a sedative at the time of the show. The sedative must be administered at the proper time. If it is given too early, it will be ineffective when the horse is checked out. If it is given too late, the horse will be completely wiped out during the show.
Not all trainers engage in these abusive practices, of course; many limit themselves to
"lite shods." However, a great many trainers still do engage in such practices. For proof, one need look no further than the list of various fines and suspensions handed out to cheaters that is published on a regular basis in Steppin’ Out, a newspaper devoted to the protection of the Tennessee Walking Horse, which is available worldwide via subscription. In the August 2002 issue, the list of fines and suspensions filled no less than six pages. The pictures in this article were taken discreetly one morning during a training session. It is better to go unnoticed in the little world of the Tennessee Walking Horse when you don't agree with things. . . because there are "rules," and intruders are not welcome. So be careful with your camera. And above all, a bit of advice: don’t wear a cowboy hat to the "Celebration." It will be noticed very quickly and you will be poorly thought of.
Serge Cognard
Translated from Cheval
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