Big Lick Equitation is described as an exaggerated high-stepping gait in which horses lift their front legs high and forward in an arching motion. This motion is caused by a method called soring, where pain is inflicted on the horse's hooves, forcing them to make that exaggerated movement and harming the horse in the process. Some methods to inflict pain are using corrosive chemicals, like oil and kerosene, and spreading them all over the horse's lower legs and front hooves, attaching weighted shoes, called "stacks", to the horses hooves, with chains around the area between the horse's fetlock and the top of the hoof, called the pastern. In addition, cutting the horse's hooves down to sensitive tissue and inserting objects are also many of the ways trainers of this kind of equitation force the horses to obtain that exaggerated gait. Those who argue that this practice is not cruel to Tennessee Walking Horses and other breeds often say that Big Lick Equitation is impressive in the show ring, and see it as a standing tradition for the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. They see these trainers as dedicated and skilled because of the potential they have for reaching that gait, but this practice is harming these animals and should be stopped. By signing this petition, you are supporting the ban of Big Lick Equitation along with any soring tactics. There have been some rules and acts that have been passed to help this situation, like the Horse Protection Act (HPA), which aims to ban these soring tactics, but it still has had weak enforcement. The Prevent All Soring Tactics PAST Act, a legislation that has been proposed but not enforced, is an act meant to strengthen the Horse Protection Act (HPA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also attempted to finalize a rule to strengthen the Horse Protection Act, but that was when the management of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration blocked the rule from taking effect in February 2025 as planned. With this petition, we will be able to increase awareness that this situation is still at large and needs a solution.