And so it goes. Soring is not gone.
Robin Webb is quoted as saying that she does not sore her horses, that she loves them and they love her. I do have to wonder. Then she says in response to Jackie Mc Connell’s tape that caught him beating a Tennessee Walker in his barn, that one does not know what happened before or after that video, stating that: “These are animals that are very dangerous,” and, “Every breed has training techniques that animal-rights groups find offensive.” Seriously? The Tennessee Walking Horse as a breed is one of the most gentle. That is why this awful abuse has been able to go on for so long. If you are a horse person and know breeds… can you imagine soring an Arabian horse, for instance? And our gentle stallions take the most abuse to make them “World Champions” for high breeding fees.
I wrote my book: “The Horse That Wouldn’t Trot,” to help bring to light this miserable training technique. I saw it done to horses I showed against. My book, however, is much more. I share the history of the breed and personal anecdotes of my own Tennessee Walking Horses. Be sure to check it out. http://www.rosemiller.net

KY State Senator Cited for Violating HPA

by RMHP Staff

Kentucky state Senator Robin Webb was cited for violations of the Horse Protection Act.

Two of her horses were found in violation of the “scar rule,” which led to their disqualification at an October horse show, according to the USDA. The horses were inspected by PRIDE HIO inspectors.

According to HPA regulations, in order for a scar rule violation to be issued, there has to be bilateral evidence of abuse indicative of soring, or scars on both feet. Scar rule violations are detected by observation, and feeling the pastern skin.

Webb, an opponent of federal legislation to ban the use of pads and chains, told the Lexington Herald-Leader she did not abuse her animals. “I don’t sore my horses,” Webb said. “I love my horses, and my horses love me.”

Her horse trainer Donald Stamper was also cited for multiple violations.

The gaited horse industry came under scrutiny after undercover video of Jackie McConnell hit the national airwaves showing him soring, beating, and shocking horses with a cattle prod. McConnell pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of conspiring to violate the HPA. His first violation was in 1979.

Webb told the Herald-Leader that the Tennessee walking horse industry has been “demonized,” in light of that video. “You don’t know what happened five minutes before or five minutes after. … These are animals that are very dangerous,” Webb said. “Every breed has training techniques that animal-rights groups find offensive.”

Webb was named TWHBEA 2012 Performance Horse Ambassador for her participation in USDA discussions. She spoke before the group last month at it’s annual meeting.

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