First Sound Horse Conference Exceeds Attendees' Expectations April 16, 2008
Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) is pleased to announce that the first Sound Horse Conference successfully exceeded attendees' expectations. The conference was well attended and well received by veterinarians, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) personnel, animal humane groups, horse industry organizations (HIOs) and interested individuals. This first event was held April 11 & 12 at Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine and sponsored by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, FOSH, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Horse Protection Association, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association and Ohio State University. An impressive panel of veterinarians and technology experts reviewed leading-edge techniques and tools including thermography, digital radiography, pain detection, molecular-level tissue testing and drug testing that, if properly applied, would virtually end soring. Panelists made specific recommendations as to the use of these new technologies to perfect the detection of soring violations. Highly regarded organizations represented outside of the Walking Horse community included the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and the United States Equestrian Federation. Both organizations provided information about identifying problems, addressing them, and finding and investing in technology to detect issues and the implementation of serious deterrents. Authorities in the area of affecting cultural change including the Ohio representative of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and a leading expert in rural crime, presented ideas about how to make the cruel practice of soring culturally unacceptable. Tom Seay, creator and popular star of the RFD-TV show "America by Horseback," made a special appearance with an inspiring message, along with innovative how-to ideas, to support the sound horse initiative. Hit song writer Mary Ann Kennedy sent her new song, "Tennessee" to the Conference for its first world presentation. The song commemorates the importance of letting Tennessee Walking Horses live free of the cruelties that so often plague the breed. Attendees heard sobering facts that illustrate the prevalence of soring that included the following statistics: 826 Horse Protection Act (HPA) suspensions were issued in 2007. 970 individuals have repeat HPA violations, some with as many as 18 and 20 violations. Violators have long been, and continue to be honored by the Walking Horse industry. There were 15 inductees into the 2008 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Hall of Fame that shared 13 violations, with one individual having six violations. Among the 115 members of the TWHBEA Board of Directors, there are 43 violations. Of the 54 Trainer's Cup honorees in 2007 there were 204 violations, while in 2006 the 65 top trainers shared 256 violations. The USDA presented photographic evidence of the pasterns of scarred and sored horses from the 2007 show season. After the panel discussions, all attendees participated in a brainstorming session to generate ideas to end soring. The majority of the ideas generated focused on voluntary steps that the industry should take to end soring, without relying on government enforcement and intervention, which would set the stage for a more positive public image for this great breed. The date and location for the 2009 Conference has yet to be determined; however, plans for the next Conference were enthusiastically received. More information on the Sound Horse Conference will soon be available at www.soundhorseconference.com FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about FOSH, or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info or call 800-651-7993. Contact Person: Teresa Bippen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
