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03:10
US: Undercover Video Exposes Cruel Reality of Horse Soring in Tennessee
United States - October 15, 2024
[Credit: The Humane Society of the United States]
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has released a shocking video revealing the ongoing cruelty of horse soring at Formac Stables, operated by Jimmy McConnell, a renowned Tennessee walking horse trainer. This video, part of an undercover investigation, contradicts claims by industry leaders that soring, a painful practice to force horses into an exaggerated gait, is no longer a concern.
The video footage, captured in 2022, shows staff at Formac Stables applying caustic substances like oil of mustard and kerosene to horses' legs, wrapping them to "cook" the chemicals into their flesh. Horses displayed clear signs of distress, from resistance to touch to visible pain and discomfort. Tactics to hide this abuse included sedating horses for inspections and then resoring them for performance, a process detailed in the investigation.
Despite these findings, and following legal action by the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration to block new USDA rules aimed at ending soring, the HSUS has intervened in the lawsuit to defend these regulations. The new rules, set for February 2025, aim to eliminate devices used in soring and reform how inspections are conducted.
The video has ignited a renewed call for the passage of the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, which would make these reforms permanent and increase penalties for violators. Despite previous support in Congress, the Act faces opposition from a small group of legislators influenced by those within the horse showing industry.
"This video isn't just evidence of ongoing cruelty; it's a call to action," said Keith Dane, senior director of Equine Protection at the HSUS. "We're pushing for the immediate passage of the PAST Act to ensure that horses are protected from such barbaric practices for good."
The legal and legislative battles surrounding horse soring highlight a deep-seated conflict between tradition and animal welfare. While the industry fights to maintain its practices, the HSUS and animal rights advocates are doubling down on their efforts, using this video and others like it to shine a light on the dark corners of horse training in Tennessee.
As the public becomes increasingly aware, thanks to such exposes, the pressure mounts on lawmakers to enact lasting change. The video from Formac Stables serves not only as evidence in the ongoing legal fights but as a poignant reminder of the suffering endured by these gentle animals in pursuit of human entertainment.
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