Roy Exum: A Horse Trainer’s Letter
Tennessee Republicans need to wake up and realize that the public will not forget who they chose as their bedfellows when it comes time to vote. The Big Lick is no longer acceptable since it can only be achieved through painful methods. Americans do not want tortured horses. We are better than that. ~ HfH
From: The Chattanoogan
By: Roy Exum
Roy Exum – The Chattanoogan.com
The bill is necessary because of a loathsome group of people centered in one state – Tennessee – who cling desperately to the idea unless a Tennessee Walking Horse is “sored,” it cannot accomplish what is known as the Big Lick, an unnatural gait that true horsemen around the world now view with great disdain.
Sadly, of the 248 members in Congress who now support the bill, the seven Republican members of Congress from the state responsible for the federal legislation – Tennessee — blatantly refuse to do so, along with Tennessee’s two Senators, Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker. It is believed this is because Alexander’s state campaign chairman, Steven B. Smith, is an avid Big Lick proponent and is now the president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association.
The truth is the Tennessee Walking Horse industry is crumbling badly since the public has been made aware of the heinous methods used to torture the defenseless animals. While Tennessee’s Republican officials can turn a blind eye, the fact is Maryville trainer Larry Joe Wheelon is now awaiting trial for allegedly brutalizing 19 horses last spring and abuse throughout the Walking Horse industry is well noted.
Carl Bledsoe, a horse trainer in Georgia, has written Kentucky Congressman Ed Whitfield (who originally sponsored the PAST Act) a heart-felt letter offering any help he can give to get the bill into law. Bledsoe admits he has sored horses in the past but today he enjoys a better life.
Mustangman
How is this accepted? because its always about the jobs and the money. Humans will justify any reason we can to ignore that other species have a RIGHT to live and be left alone on this planet as long as we can make money off of it or take home a $50 plastic trophy proving what a great capitolist we are. There is no way EVER to obtain a big lick without torture and even if there was such a way the gate itself is distructive to the back and muscle structer of the horses.period, believe what ever crap you want otherwise.
Nancy Albin
ok well where are the 248 in congress that don’t want ANY Horse tortured & slaughtered?