Thursday, August 21, 2014

Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration got underway in Shelbyville on Wednesday, but the controversy continues over how the horses are examined for signs of abuse . The Tennessee Walking Horse industry is still dealing with the fallout from 2012 when horse trainer Jackie McConnell was accused and later convicted of animal cruelty charges, as he was trying to encourage his horses to step higher in competition. This year, new tests to check for abuse have been put in place, but some horse owners don't like the new regs. At issue is the way the USDA inspects horses for sores or scars before and after a showing; horses that show evidence of scarring are disqualified. Wednesday, a newly-formed Veterinary Advisory Council on the Celebration grounds demonstrated additional tests that will be performed on horses competing in the Celebration this year, including X-rays and blood draws. “They are totally objective, and they provide facts for which an intellectual conversation can take place,” says Tom Blankenship, a spokesperson for the council. The council said the new tests will provide less room for interpretation compared to past years horse exams.


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