Horses are forced to walk in an unnatural way. Their shoes are nailed to the most sensitive part of their hooves. It’s one of a very few horse shows in the United States with a presence from the federal government. The reason is that trainers abuse horses, and there’s a law against it. Soring, the painful practice inflicted on horses to induce a high-stepping gate, is rampant once again. Soring is the training method of putting caustic substances—mustard oil, kerosene, croton oil—on horses' front ankles and hooves. The substances irritate the skin, making the horse sensitive to the touch. The trainers strap heavy shoes and chains on those hooves, and the horses react in pain to the pressure. Despite the fact that soring is outlawed trainers can get around inspections for the burns by treating the horses' irritated skin with diaper rash cream. How would it feel to be the horse? Well imagine it being like you are walking across hot coals barefooted, you would lift your leg up higher so it wouldn't hurt as much. Or you might try to do it more quickly. This affects the many Tennessee walking horses that are forced into horse events like this one. I think we should find a way to stop this abuse. There are other ways to train the horse to do it without burning or hurting the horse in any way. However these other ways may take more time and may be more difficult to do. #banthebiglick Please sign to ban the big lick event.

Credits(MLA):

Martinez, Rebecca, and Eric Hodge. “Criminal: The Big Lick.” WUNC, www.wunc.org/post/criminal-big-lick#stream/0

Irby, Marty. “Congressional Delegation Must Stand up for Tennessee Walking Horses | Opinion.” The Tennessean, The Tennessean, 22 Aug. 2018, www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/2018/08/22/tennessee-walking-horse-needs-more-support-home-state-delegation/1064031002/