Nationally known Tennessee Walking Horse trainer Jackie McConnell and several of his associates have been indicted on 52 counts of violating the federal Horse Protection Act (including 18 felony counts), and also charged with numerous violations of the Tennessee Cruelty to Animals Statute.
The indictments, criminal charges and horse rescue come on the heels of an extensive investigation into the walking horse industry by The HSUS, which shows that the high-stepping gait or "big lick" of the Tennessee Walking Horse often comes at a painful price. As described in the indictment, the trainers used painful chemicals on the horses’ front legs, using pain to force them to have an artificially high-stepping gait for show competitions. This cruel practice, known as “soring,” has been illegal for more than 40 years under the federal Horse Protection Act.
Soring is also specifically prohibited by Tennessee’s animal cruelty law. In addition to soring, HSUS documented horses being whipped, kicked, shocked in the face and violently cracked across the heads and legs with heavy wooden sticks. In some cases, their tails were mutilated with scissors and blades in order to make them appear flashier in the show ring – leaving behind untreated bleeding wounds. During The HSUS investigation, a young filly named Master Streaker was so painfully sore that McConnell himself referred to her as “paralyzed.”
“The cruel training methods documented throughout our investigation are sickening to watch for any horse lover, and show the immense suffering horses often endure simply for the sake of a high-stepping gait,” said Keith Dane, director of equine protection for The HSUS and Maryland director of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association. “Horses entertain us and provide us companionship, and should not be subject to this horrible cruelty and abuse.” Dane is also the former president of one of the leading organizations dedicated to the humane care, treatment, and training of gaited horses.
Video: ABC Nightline investigation into the abuse of TN Walking Horses (shocking footage!)
Support the work of the Humane Society of the U.S. and help abolish cruelty in TN Walking Horse Industry!
Related Link: Pepsi pulls sponsorship of horse show after controversial footage airs