8/19/08-
We here at Mountain View Rescue had a visit to the farm last week from 2 members of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' & Exhibitors' Association (TWHBEA) office. It was a lovely afternoon with much talk about the rescue, the horses we love and the rocky future of a breed so surrounded in controversy.
I have never had any experience with riding or exhibiting the
breed, but personally admire the TWH for their calm & good natured temperament, their
smooth gait, and their natural willingness to please. I also feel they have
unfairly been exposed to a misinformed press, general bias and an overall
negativity. It is a natural human instinct to doubt what we don't understand.
There is a real need to identify and change the practices that are unfortunately
affluent in the breed, such as soring and pressure shoeing.
I have been fortunate enough to work in an environment which has exposed me to
the makings of World Champion horses of this breed, and the methods in which they are bred,
trained and exhibited. Make no mistake, these are very well cared for animals.
Their health & well being is very important to their owners, trainers &
enthusiasts.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case for these horses.
There are many trainers, farms, and exhibitors who do not train their horses in
a humane fashion and do not even realize the lasting effects of the misuse of
chemicals, caustic agents, and pressure shoes they are inflecting on their
animals. There is a huge need within the industry for education and change.
In an effort to change opinions on the training methods and controversial
treatment of this breed, we have made a choice to work together with the TWHBEA
in an effort to educate the public on the facts and falsehoods surrounding the
training and showing of this breed, as well as to promote the humane treatment
of all horses. Soring and abuse are not OK!
I am happy to announce what I hope is a long lasting partnership with the TWHBEA.
This partnership is the first of its kind for either a breed registry or a
rescue organization, and our hope & goal is that we may help clean up the Tennessee Walking Horse industry through education, resources and teamwork.
The TWHBEA stands behind regulations that keep their horses safe and sound
through many years of showing, trail & pleasure.
We couldn't be more pleased that a breed as a whole sees what a worthy cause horse rescue is and that they are the first of their kind to stand behind the humane treatment of ALL horses.
Please enjoy the press release made by the TWHBEA, as well as the Flyer made for MVR circulated at the Celebration World Championship Horse Show 2008. We can only hope other breed registries follow suit and try to combat the problems facing not only their breed, but for all the horses across our nation.
Until people can unite and work together towards positive goals for these
horses, nothing will change. I encourage all THW owners, breeders, and
exhibitors, as well as horse enthusiasts in general to contact your state
walking horse offices, actively pursue legislation to repeal and replace the
inadequate and ineffective repercussions for USDA violations,
report violations when you find them, lobby within the industry for a by-law
to be passed that a board member or officer cannot have any HPA violations (no
matter what the violation was), speak out to your legislators, congressmen and
representatives regarding your concerns for these horses and what YOUR state is
doing about them, and SIGN THE PETITION TO END
ABUSIVE SORING TODAY!
www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/533003783
A few links to help you understand the breed and the issues these horses face:
http://www.soundhorseconference.com/
www.onehorseatatimeinc.org
(web)
www.onehorseatatime.org
(forum)
http://www.twhbea.com/breedHistoryAndDescription.htm
http://www.twhbea.com/careAndTrainingFAQs.htm
Inspections up- disqualifications few at Walking Horse Celebration
Please stay tuned for pics & information regarding this exciting partnership!
Thank you,
Raquel Ferotti President & Director Mountain View Rescue
9/10- Below are pictures from the 2008 Celebration in Shelbyville, TN. The TWHBEA were gracious hosts and allowed us space in their booth at the trade fair. We met a lot of great folks, saw great horses at the horse show & enjoyed all the exhibits. A big thanks goes out to Chris Coffey & Tommy Grider for making it possible.
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Mountain View Rescue is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions we receive are tax deductible. Please contact us if you made a donation or contribution in the past, going back to October 24, 2007. We can now issue you tax receipts.
