As spokesperson for the All American Walking Horse Alliance which recently staged the campaign rally before the U.S. Capitol to urge passage of the PAST ACT, I believe that people need to realize when Mr. McCormick claims a 96% compliance rate, that is one which has been manufactured by the Celebration's horse inspection program S.H.O.W. HIO which is presently being decertified by the United States Department of Agriculture for violating the Horse Protection Act. Also, Mr. McCormick and the Walking Horse Trainers (BIG LICK) leadership have consistently violated the Horse Protection Act - One of these with HPA violations is WHTA 2nd VP Mr. David Landrum who was announced this week as a Judge of the 76th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Mr. Landrum has rented a barn for over 25 years from Mr. Steve Smith, TWHBEA President, who is also U.S.Senator Lamar Alexander's Campaign Finance Chairman:
WALKING HORSE TRAINERS LEADERSHIP HPA CITATION VIOLATION RECORDS
At least 117 known citations for violations of the Horse Protection Act have been issued to members of the 2014 Walking Horse Trainers Association board of directors, by either the USDA or Horse Industry Organization inspectors.
W.H.T.A. Board HPA Citation Tallies
Mickey McCormick: 24 known citations
David Landrum: 6 known citations
Bill Cantrell: 10 known citations
Edgar Abernathy: 9 known citations
Jeff Green: 28 known citations
Link Webb: 39 known citations
Ross Campbell: 1 known citation

I’ve told this story before but I will repeat it. I’m up in
New Hampshire. Walking horses are kind of rare and it was only by accident that
I came to own one. I was actually looking for a standardbred when I found my
mare.

On 3 separate occasions I was riding down the road to get to
a trail( My horse is barefoot, tacked up in a 12 lb endurance saddle, ordinary
snaffle bit in her mouth.) I have had total strangers stop their car to tell me
my mare is the most beautiful horse they have ever seen. Now that should make me feel great. However
we chit-chat for a bit about horses and the inevitable, “ What breed is she?”
question comes up. I answer she is a Tennessee Walker and at this point the
stranger’s eyes drop to the ground and the conversation is done. They drive
off.

The Big Lick stigma makes the entire breed a pariah up here.
People find it so distasteful that they don’t even want to look at a walker. Get
rid of the big lick and a whole new market is going to open up for the
breed. Right now all they envision is
the lame horror ridden by creepy hunchbacks even when a lovely and comfortable
animal is looking them in the eye.

I love them both! NO TO THE PAST ACT!

How can you love horses and subject them to this? This is beyond disgraceful. Put your ego aside and stop using these tortuous practices. Besides, the Big Lick is the creepiest thing I have ever seen a horse do.

”.
In January of 2014 the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’”
Assoc., the only USDA recognized breed registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse
issued the following statement regarding an unauthorized distributed poll that
was purported to have been a TWHBEA product. “As a result of the acts
and omissions of the TWHBEA members responsible for this deception against
TWHBEA, its members, and the public, the privileges of Clant Seay, ****, and
****, as members of the Association, have been suspended…”

Pat Stout was allegedly improperly suspended by TWHBEA for asking eligible members of TWHBEA their opinions on the PAST ACT in September of 2013. 63% of the eligible TWHBEA members participating voted landslide "YES" in favor of passage of the PAST ACT. Now 69% of the U.S. House endorses the PAST ACT, and 57% of the U. S. Senate endorses the PAST ACT. Pat Stout has sued TWHBEA for $1 Million in Putnam County Circuit Court for TWHBEA for damages resulting from TWHBEA improperly suspending her membership privileges. The case has been set for trial by jury on November 12, 2014.

Clant.. honey, you didn't tell them about BOD Julie Dillion getting up in front of the TWHBEA membership, in December and telling everybody that "People were so exicited, that even those who didn't get a card (because they are not members) made copies and VOTED! These votes were counted..... Hummm .. Sounds like an Invalid survey.

Ms Bates, Greg Cook, CPA received and counted the ballots in the Opinion Poll survey conducted by Pat Stout. Regarding the statement made by Ms. Dillon, attached is Mr. Cook's Dec. 9, 2013 letter which states no such cards were received. The Opinion Poll was valid and accurate. You only have to look at 69% of the U.S. House and 57% of the U.S. Senate co-sponsoring the PAST ACT to realize that.

Once Shelbyville and the "good ole boys" quite supporting horse abuse, the Celebration may start lining Howard's pockets again. As long as horses are being abused, I believe the world will not participate at the levels they did before! It appears the only ones fighting humane treatment and the end to the "Big Lick" abuse are the ones who make tons on money from that abuse! It has to stop - one way or another!!!

Mr. Seay. We all know Pat Stout should have been banned from TWHBEA due to the bogus and fraudulent mailing she sent to TWHBEA members. I am a flat shod lover and was very angry about getting that mailer from her and glad TWHBEA did the RIGHT thing in banning her. I agree with Mr. McCormick because the PAST Act is so vaguely written the USDA can then come in and interpret it to where no shoes are allowed on any horses in any shows. Anyone who can't see beyond the lying that is being done by those supporting this bill on Capitol Hill needs to have their blindfolds removed.

Ms Rhonda, There was absolutely nothing bogus or fraudulent about the postcard mail sent to the 6,950 voting eligible members of TWHBEA. It was an Opinion Poll, calling for a simple "YES" or "NO" on the passage of the PAST ACT. (See attached) 63% of the TWHBEA members responding voted landslide "YES" to passage of the PAST ACT. Of course, shoes will be allowed on natural sound Tennessee Walking Horses showing. The breed will return to the days of Midnight Sun and Strolling Jim and become America's Horse - NOT America's Equine Pariah as it is today.

Hummm... not all members got a card. BOD Julie Dillion said many card were copied and mailed in and counted... What a SCAM.

Ms. Bates, U.S. Postal Service records confirm that postcard mailers were mailed to the 6,950 eligible to vote TWHBEA members. Mr. Cook dispelled what Ms. Dillon said. The Opinion Poll was legitimate. Do you think the fact that over 300 U. S. Representatives and 57 U. S. Senators are co-sponsoring the PAST ACT is a SCAM?

I know exactly what the poll said as both myself and my husband got one. It was made to look like it came from TWHBEA when in fact it did not! Furthermore, your statistics are those taken from only a few small people who even responded to the poll and the poll was not sent to the entire TWHBEA membership. From that aspect it was skewed from the start not to mention that any voluntary response poll (which is what this was) is about the most inaccurate statistically that can be done. I didn't vote, nor did many of the other people I know who got one, but I still have my card I got. Perhaps your statistics should be changed to be accurate instead of misleading to show that only roughly 1/8 of the people polled even responded and of those 60 some odd % voted in favor. That would drastically lower the total membership claim of 60% which is constantly being spewed online which is a flat out lie.

Ms. Rhonda:
FACTS:
1. The Poll postcard seeking the opinion came from Cookeville, TN.
2. Ms. Stout was TWHBEA VP Horse Shows and was seeing the opinion of the TWHBEA members on this important issue.
3. The Poll postcard was sent to the 6,950 eligible vote to members of TWHBEA. Pitney-Bowes postage records confirm this.
4. 26% of the TWHBEA members eligible to vote mailed in the postcard ballot 26% is outstanding turnout and more than many TWHBEA Directors elections.
5. The votes were received and tabulated by Cook and Co. CPA firm on Oct. 16, 2013.
6. Here is the Ad in The Tennessean on Nov. 10, 2013.
7. The Chattanooga Times Free Press endorsed the PAST ACT on Oct. 22, 2013.
8. The Tennessean newspaper endorsed the PAST ACT on Nov. 20, 2013.
9. The incontrovertible fact is 63% of the eligible to vote TWHBEA members responding voted "YES" to passing the PAST ACT.

The nature of the horse is to be a roamer, outside, free to search for food and move their body for optimal health. They are also herd animals, and seek others to be with. Both of these activities give them sound mind and body. The big lick horse has neither of these, as he has to stay prisoner in his stall because of the stacks nailed to their feet. The lickers say they love their horses, yet they do this to them. So they are either ignorant on the care and needs of horses, or they really care more about their ribbon/ego than their horses.

The listen link at the top is BS. In the audio section the lady says our horse will lose the smooth gait when put on pads. That is not true the smooth gait when performing the high stepping gait is why so many people are drawn to our horse to show. She should get her facts right.

Mr Seay needs to get his facts straight. The 96% compliance rate is USDA figures, not manufactured by the Celebration. The illegal poll taken by Ms Stout was slanted as she only sent it to select TWHBEA members and it was not authorized by TWHBEA. I have just read where the judge has ruled her lawsuit without merit and it was thrown out. Ms. Dye said large chains were used as action devices. This sounds like Congressman Whitfield's lie. 6 ounces can hardly be called a large chain. Most wrist watches weigh more than that. If you are going to condemn something use facts not lies. By the way I don't own any horses but I have been watching them perform for 45 years and I hate to see the USDA, prodded by the HSUS destroy an industry, eliminating thousands of jobs and fund raisers for hundreds of charitable organizations. This is an example of the growing "TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT" in all aspects of our lives.

Mr. Calvin, what you have read regarding Pat Stout vs. TWHBEA is erroneous. Circuit Judge Amy Hollars set an "expedited" trial date for November 12, 2014. Unfortunately, the USDA doesn't give the % of horses it checks that are not compliant. Example on August 30, 2013, the Celebration's inspectors found 0 of 138 HPA violations while the USDA inspectors found 11 of 75. Huge difference. The sore Big Lick is a "racket", not an industry. And its numbers are greatly exaggerated:
COLD HARD FACTS ON SORE BIG LICK TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE RACKET:
*Passage of the PAST ACT would only affect 8/10th of 1% of all living Tennessee Walking Horses.
*The other 99.20% of the Tennessee Walking Horses will be fine, and actually, the 8/10th of 1% will be too because they will no long be institutionally sored to created the sore Big Lick.

*According to a 2012 USDA survey there are approximately 200,000 living TWH.
*There are only 85 dues paying members of the Walking Horse Trainers Association.

*There were only 569 Big Lick Horses at the 2013 Celebration
*Assume each Trainer has an average of 10 horses in training.

*Assume 850 total Big Lick Horses.

*Then give it the benefit of the by doubling it 1,700 Big Lick TWH.
*1% of 200,000 = 2,000
*1,700 = 8/10th of 1%

Photo below is from the Larry Joe Wheelon, Maryville, Tennessee case file.

Mr Seay I think the crystal ball that gives you numbers is very faulty. There are over 400 members of the WHTA and I know several of them in middle Tennessee and none of them have as few as 10 padded horses the least I know of is 14 and some have 30 to 40. As far as the per centage of total horses that are padded I have no idea. But I do know that the performance horse is what people flock to the shows to see. I have nothing against the flat shod horse but if you will notice at the shows these classes are the ones that people take advantage of to go to the rest room and concession stand. If the performance horse is eliminated the Celebration can be held in Calsonic Arena.

It seems to me the spectators you speak of at these shows can be compared to the "games" at the coliseaum in Rome where the crowd found entertainment watching others suffer.

You know Michelle, I think you hit a nail on the head. Perhaps you can share that thought with The Tennessean Reporter Heidi Hall the next time she calls the exhibition of sore Big Lick TWH at the Celebration a "Sport".

will do.

I see no resemblance. Who or what is suffering. There is no indication the horses are suffering. If you watch them close they are ready to perform and have to be held back by the rider until all horses get in the ring. They are athletes and anxious to perform.

of course you don't see. I do though. Eyes rolling white, sweat dripping off of them, looks like a good time.

Mr. Calvin,
If there were 400 dues paying members of the WHTA, why was their building in Shelbyville foreclosed upon?
I agree with you, and sore supporters, that the Big Lick TWH what there is left of it is located almost entirely in Middle Tennessee and Kentucky along with a few enclaves in Alabama and Georgia. People are not flocking to the TWH shows to see the Big Lick. Please look at the Celebration attendance figures.

Clant they cannot find a sore horse so now they use the scar no one can see but there Vet claims to be able to feel even though it is only 2 to 3 cells thick. I know this is most likely your kind of justice but it is not honest or ethical and it is no way true.

Mr. Wayne, please take a look at this Science Based Objective inspection method.

Clant let’s do just that and you answer the following
questions. What was the setting on the Thermography? How far did the horse walk
in order to get to the inspection area? What type of surface did the horse have
to walk on? Was it dirt, gravel or pavement? Was the horse held in an enclosed
area for no less than 20 minutes prior to the inspection? Was the inspection
done out in the open as soon as the horse arrived? Come on Clant you know as
well as everyone else the USDA stacks the deck against every horse they inspect
and then claim it is scientific based. One other thing about your picture was
most of the heat was in the hoof which tells me it was walked to inspection on
hot pavement and checked as soon as it got there out in the open. Now old boy
that is my scientific assumption of your picture.

Lol. It's thermography. If the horse had been on hot pavement, its shoes would also show red.

Come own Mindy don't start spreading more BS. It is well known the thermography can be altered to reflect what ever the inspectors wants it to show.

It seems like a pretty straightforward answer-- we have two trainers. One makes her living teaching young children and has no HPA violations for soring. One makes his living showing Big Lick horses and has over a dozen HPA violations for soring. The trainer who has nothing to fear, does not fear the PAST Act, and welcomes it. The trainer who doesn't want to see those pesky slaps on the wrist become great big penalties doesn't want the PAST Act.

No Mindy you have one horse trainer and then you have an instructor. The instructor is only interested in building her school and he trainer wants to save an industry. Big big difference.

"Amazing Grace" trained by Cat Dye - 2013 UT Homecoming. Aren't they beautiful?????

In my opinion, what you have is an Equestrienne, with deep roots going back to the cradle of the Tennessee Walking Horse. She worked her way through Virginia Intermont College, earning a Bachelor's degree in Equine Sciences and Art. She started her riding and training business with about ten rescues, half of which were TWH.
She trained the last two TENNESSEE WALKING HORSES exhibited at the University of Tennessee Homecoming football game. And you have a likeable good ole boy sore Big Lick horse mechanic who is fronting for the sore Big Lick racket. What you call an "industry" is nothing of the sort. The sore Big Lick "racket" is based on pain and abuse. Dr. John Haffner, another native Tennessean, explained you can't have the big lick horse without pain. He said "The fact is the big lick can only be accomplished by soring. When one soring technique becomes detectable, another one is developed. The big lick is a learned response to pain and
if horses have not been sored, they do not learn it." Here is a beautiful natural sound TWH before 100,000 people trained by Cat Dye.

Wayne, if you want to learn and understand how Thermography works, please go to YouTube and place "Sound Horse Conference - Dr. Tracy Turner" in the "search feature". I think it will answer your questions.

I already know the answer to the question by talking to the people who build and sell them. Your Dr. Tracey believes he can will the instrument to do things it was not built to do.

If you watch the youtube video, Dr. Turner explains in detail how he has established baselines regarding the use of thermography to detect soring in TWH. This was meticulously done before thermography was implemented as the objective science based inspection the sore Big Lick said it wanted. You did say that is what you wanted, didn't you?

.

So
tell me Clant if I had established a baseline before Thermography couldn't it is
used the same as Turners? You know it could have been put in place and then
used to establish a baseline the USDA would approve. After all from what I have
observed at shows the USDA uses a lot of very subjective ways of inspecting a
horse. Matter of fact they do ever thing in their power to disrupt a show using
intimidation and abuse of authority. A prime example of government abuse to
maintain a position of control. Save your breath I have seen and heard them all
and know full well that Turner is paid by the USDA which is kept up by the
humane society.

Wayne, you make a lot of good sense than add 2 + 2 and get 5, then drive right off into the weeds. Turner is the foremost authority in the field of Thermography. He was featured this year at the AAEP convention at Nashville. He does get paid when he works, but his integrity and science is beyond approach. If you listen to Dr. Turner, you will better understand how the baseline was established. While the baseline was being established no HPA enforcement was done using Thermography - now it has been established as explained in the youtube and is being used. Of course, Dr. Turner gets paid for providing his services. Have you ever seen a Vet that didn't get paid? If you haven't been smoking funny cigarettes, pls explain to me how the "bogey man" humane society pays the USDA????

No I haven’t seen a veterinarian do their services and not
get paid but I have seen the USDA hire several that cannot make it in the real
world of business and need money badly. I have listened to Turner and watched
as he got upset in the Calsonic when a gentleman corrected him on some of his
statements of true fact. He was corrected because he was not giving correct
information and the gentleman knew it because he worked in the same field. You
keep attacking me with stupid replies like smoking funny cigarettes like some
of your very close friends. Wouldn’t you like to know how I know that? As for
the humane society keeping the USDA up if you think people don’t see their
connection you have to be a fool. I’m looking forward to the day when they are
found out. Then you will want to find out how to make 4 plus 4 = 5.You should save your breath and stop posting with me. I have no interest in anything but true facts and so far you have not provided that.

Wayne, apologies for any attempts at humor you misconstrued as anything but humor. Here are some true facts from former U. S. Senator Joe Tydings, Father of the Horse Protection Act: "For every young person in the country who has a
pony, who has ever been on a trail ride, ever ridden in a
circle, ever ridden in a horse show, for every quarter horse owner in this country, we’ve to got to stop this bestiality and cruelty. It’s unbelievable what they do to these poor horses. Unbelievable. They do a bastardized gait, they cripple the horse for it’s life, it’s just despicable."

Clant no one that I know denies the history of our horse
what we do say is that is exactly what it is HISTORY. We can’t change what went
on in the past only the present and future and it is not fair or ethical for
you the humane groups or the USDA to continue to use the past as a club to
attack the current owners and trainers who work very hard to train and show a
compliant horse.

The USDA asked for and got mandatory penalties because they
couldn’t present abuse evidence in a court of law for all the horses they
turned down. They make rules to help hide the fact Cezar was right when she
said in her email that the inspectors knew nothing about horses. They made a
rule NO SHOW BACK because their inspectors couldn’t find anything wrong with a
horse even though they had just turned it down just has they couldn’t tell a
horse presented back 5 minutes later after the inspector talked about what
great the horses feet looked giving him a scar rule ticket up on the second
inspection by the same USDA Inspector. I point to both STAR and Honor My Cash.

It is very easy for you to make negative comments about our
horse but when it comes to FACTS they are all on our side and you know this to
be true. Even with the USDA stacking the deck we still have a 98.6% compliance
rate and the USDA stills sends out warning letters on 99% of the horses they
turn down since they are unable to show evidence of abuse. Explain this to the
people who read these comments.

And Clant for the record from talking to a lot of walking
horse owners show managers and trainers you are the joke of this breed.