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The Sore
Tennessee Walking Horse
(This is an informational
website about abusive training techniques used on some
Tennessee Walking Horses as well as some horses of other gaited breeds.)
The term ''sore'' when
used to describe a horse means that:
1. an irritating or
blistering agent has been applied, internally or externally, by a person
to any limb of a
horse,
2. any burn,
cut, or laceration has been inflicted by a person on any limb of a horse,
3. any tack,
nail, screw, or chemical agent has been injected by a
person into or used by a person on any limb of a horse, or
4. any other
substance or device has been used by a person on any limb of a horse or a
person has engaged in a practice involving a horse, and, as a result of
such application, infliction, injection, use, or practice, such horse
suffers, or can reasonably be expected to suffer, physical pain or
distress, inflammation, or lameness when walking, trotting, or otherwise
moving, except that such term does not include such an application,
infliction, injection, use, or practice in connection with the therapeutic
treatment of a horse by or under the supervision of a person licensed to
practice veterinary medicine in the State in which such treatment was
given.
Background:
“Pads” or “stacks,”
(Pictured above) not to be confused with medicinal purpose
pads, are training devices used to “enhance” the gait of some Tennessee
Walking Horses. Stacks/pads
are one-inch layers of a combination of wood, leather, plastic, and/or
rubber that are attached to the bottom of the front hooves of a
“Big
Lick” performance Tennessee Walking Horse. The stacks look similar to platform shoes.
~~~~~
Stacks started to become popular in Tennessee in the early 1970’s as
more and more show horse trainers became attracted to the gaits produced
by stacks. This led to the common use of stacks. Stacks were sometimes made of mostly leather and were
much heavier than most used today, which are usually made of rubber and/or
plastic. Some stacks were
also made hollow, and were able to be filled with substances such as
lead, and wet sand to make the stacks heavier, forcing the horse to use
more strength to lift its legs. Most
stacks today are solid and not filled although they are far from harmless
and require bands to keep them attached.
Stacks are popular among
certain TWH
(Tennessee Walking Horse)
owners and trainers because they make the horse
do the gait trainers and
owners want (high, quick steps) which is
considered desirable by these owners, trainers, and show judges.
Some
critics say that it is not uncommon to see metal bands cutting into the
hooves of stacked horses
as the hoof tries to grow past the restrictions of the band or from the
band wearing a slot in the hoof.
Below we see a curious groove in the hooves as well as in the picture at
the above right.
Photos taken in 2004:
 
~~~~~~~~
Chains
are another training device that "enhance" the gait
of a horse. Manufactured, bracelet-type chains can be bought through
tacks stores, horse supply magazines, and other sources. These store
bought chains, weighing up to 10 oz. legally (although chains that violate
weight limits are still sold and used) are placed around the front
pasterns/ lower legs of the horse. These chains are used to get the horse to
lift it's legs higher, either because the chains are hurting the horse, or
the horse is trying to step out of the chains to depending on the
weight of the chains and the length of time they have been used.
Why
Chains Are BAD:
-The
Auburn Study-
In September of 1978 - December of 1982 a study was done by Auburn
University, called the Auburn study. The Auburn study was
done to test "Thermography in diagnosis of inflammatory processes in
horses in response to various chemical and physical factors."
Thermography
being used in 2004 to show inflammation in the front legs of a horse:
*The
Auburn study summary of the research done from Sept. 1978 - Dec. 1982
reports, "Thermography was very effective in the diagnosis of inflammatory
responses and healing processes." (They found that the
use of thermography was effective in detecting inflammation caused by
certain training techniques use by some Tennessee Walking Horse trainers
such as the use of stacks/pads and chains.)
*Determination
of Theraputic Patterns in Response to 10 oz. Chains:
- Three horses (#s 3,
4, and 6) were fitted with 10 oz. chains according to the USDA, APHIS,
Veterinary
Services
regulations. "Results
of this study provided that by day 7 of exercise with chains, lesions can
be
produced on a horse's legs." "Thermographically,
horses exhibited altered thermal patterns as
early as day
2 of exercise with chains. These altered thermal patterns persisted
as long as chains were
used."
"It took about 20 days in recovery to obtain normal thermal
patterns."
*"Thermograms
and pressure readings readily distinguish a normal, unsore horse from one
being treated
with
chemicals on the pastern and exercised in chains."
*A
stallion was "exercised and monitored nine times 9/22 - 10/3 in 8oz.
chains for 15 minutes each
exercise
period. Vaseline was used as a lubricant." Results of
this study showed that the stallion
developed
raw, bleeding lesions on the scared pasterns when exercised in action
devices and lubricant.
"Abnormal thermal patterns developed on the pasterns of the horses
during the period of exercise in
action
devices and the drop in pressure readings occurred."
*"14oz.
rollers and 8 and 10oz. chains will cause raw lesions on scarred pasterns
of horses when the
horses are
exercised 15-30 minutes per day in action devices. Lesions occur in
less than 2 weeks, even
when the
horses are not exercised on weekends. The actions devices cause
irregular thermal patterns
detectable by
thermovision, increased sensativity to pressure on the pastterns, and
discomfort and
altered gaits
visible to observers."
Why
Stacks Are Bad:
Letter
from Auburn University to USDA,APHIS:
(Begin
quote) "February 19, 1982
Dear
Dr. Schwindaman:
We We have
yet to carry out the formal steps to determine the effects of built-up
pads on Tennessee Walking Horses. Over the years, however, we have
experienced what the group considers a high rate of thrush in the horses
we have shod with pads and used in tests. Although it is not readily
apparent on clinical observation we have observed with thermovision
varying degrees of abnormal inflammation on the posterior aspect of the
metacarpal area where the flexor bundle is located. This usually
occurs the day after a horse has been freshly shod, whether or not he is
exercised daily, and lasts from a few days to two weeks.
We
Attached are some questions we asked of our
farrier and four clinic veterinarians who devote their professional time
almost exclusively to equines. They all answered `yes' to the first
two questions and suggested sheared heels, quarter cracks, and laminitis
as other abnormalities of the forefeet of Tennessee Walking Horses shod
with conventional pads. They all answered `yes' to the fourth
question, giving their reason that they could not adequately examine the
feet unless the sole was exposed.
Sincerely,
R.S. Sharman, DVM
Assistant Professor
1. Do you associate , from your observation, increased incidence of thrush
with pads covering the sole of
horses hooves?
2. Contracted Heels?
3. Other abnormalities?
4. Would you consider it necessary to remove pads
and shoes from a horse to do an adequate foot
examination?
Why?" (end quote)
~~~~~ 
*Opposition
to the padding of TWHs*
Soring
Info
WHTA
Trainers of the year
Tennessean
News Report On Soring
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