There has been a lot of publicity about the soring of the magnificent creatures, however the laws do not include stacks and/or chains. It is not only common, but actually part of the rules for horses to wear chins and/or 4" Stacks in the show ring. These are performance classes. Until this is made public, it will continue. The stacks are banded onto the hoof 24/7 with no relief only on the front hooves. Imagine walking in stilettos 24/7, and not sitting or laying down. This affects the whole horse, tendons, ligaments, musculature, permanently.

Many shows have already removed these performance classes. The largest Tennessee Walking horse show in the country needs to follow suit. Until it is banned, the abuse will continue. As long as it is rewarded with money and blue ribbons, it will continue. The animals are shown in chains, these are lightweight, and only serve as a reminder of the much heavier chains worn outside the ring that bang against the pastern, causing extreme pain, causing the horse to lift his foot up quickly, trying to avoid the pain.

What is a stack, you ask?
They are wedge-shaped devices (4" high in the back and 2" in the front) are made of hard plastic pads nailed together. A heavy horse shoe is affixed to the bottom.
These devices are nailed to the bottom of the hooves of Tennessee Walking horses destined for the professional show horse circuit.
The stacks force the horse to stand at an extreme, unnatural angle, causing pressure and pain in the horse's foot.
Sign this petition to request that classes that allow these barbaric items be eliminated from the Tennessee National Waking Horse Celebration...Help STOP THE PAIN...
Visit us on FB - https://www.facebook.com/NoStacksandChains for pictures and information.