In the early 1970s the Horse Protection Act was past. Although this act was placed to put an end to cruelty, it remains under funded.  Harmful and cruel practices still remain; such as horse soring.  Horse soring is the act of is intentionally causing pain to the horse's legs in order to create the movement of a "Big Lick" gait; an exaggerated walk sought out in walking horses.  The processes used to create this pain is torturous and inhumane.  As delivered by the HSUS, "Caustic chemicals—blistering agents like mustard oil, diesel fuel and kerosene—are applied to the horse's limbs, causing extreme pain and suffering."  There are also other torments used by horse trainers to create excruciating pain to the horses heal when walking such as: cutting a horses hoof improperly, tightly nailing on shoes, or "standing a horse for hours with the sensitive part of his soles on a block or other raised object"-HSUS.  Due to the lack of funding the USDA does not send agency officials to every walking horse and racking horse show.  This has lead to Horse Industry Organizations to train and license their own inspectors. These inspectors are supposed to examine each horse for signs of soring, which has lead to corrupt industry insiders to overlook mistreatment in order to uphold the status quo.  With an increase of funding towards the Horse Protection Act the USDA can afford to send agency officials to thoroughly inspect the horses at these events without any bias or disregard.