I have seen the damage done to these horses from years of wearing weighted shoes and having chemicals applied to their hocks, all to force them into performing an unnatural gait. This practice not only destroys their tendons but ensures they can never have a natural life again. The cruelty is unbelievable and must be stopped.

The "Big Lick" is a term often associated with Tennessee Walking Horses, known for their exaggerated, high-stepping gait. To achieve this gait, many horses are subjected to painful practices, such as soring, where chemicals are applied to their legs to intensify the pain when they wear heavy, stacked shoes. This pressure and pain cause the horse to lift its legs higher in the show ring, but at a devastating cost to their health and well-being.

Numerous welfare investigations have repeatedly condemned these practices as abusive and inhumane. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, soring causes "extreme pain and suffering" and is in direct violation of the Horse Protection Act (HPA). Despite these protections, the enforcement of the HPA remains inconsistent, allowing these abusive practices to continue under the radar.

We demand immediate action from state and federal authorities to enforce stricter regulations and audits in the horse show industry. It is time to prohibit the use of stacked shoes and soring materials altogether, to protect our horses from unnecessary suffering.

Please join me in calling for a ban on the cruel practices of the Big Lick. By signing this petition, you are taking a stand for the ethical treatment of horses and ensuring that these magnificent creatures can live free from the pain inflicted upon them for entertainment. Sign the petition and help safeguard the future of these beautiful animals.