09/01/2026
WHEN WILL SOMEONE STOP THIS ABUSE!!!! It’s 2026 people, and this horrid community is still putting chains around their feet, inducing chemical burns…..I just don’t understand what is wrong with people! Please speak up, please share and be aware!!!
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville is currently underway. Instead of standing outside protesting this year, we have been inside, documenting the grim reality of what is truly happening to these animals behind the spectacle. This is not a proud Tennessee tradition that should be continued; this is undeniable horse abuse. Just look at the unnatural, strained way this horse is forced to move its back legs, burdened by heavy artificial stacks and painful metal chains wrapped around its front hooves and lower legs.
It is time to completely boycott these "Big Lick" horse shows. It is a profound disgrace to this beautiful, naturally graceful breed. These horses should be shown and celebrated for their genuine athletic abilities, rather than being subjected to artificial mechanisms and torture devices designed to fabricate a synthetic, exaggerated look.
Our ongoing investigations into the Tennessee Walking Horse world have uncovered a hard reality: when these horses become too crippled, broken, and sore to continue performing, they are quietly funneled straight into the slaughter pipeline. A decade ago, you could routinely go to public auctions and purchase these horses still wearing their heavy show stacks. However, the industry quickly realized their dirty secrets were getting out. The public was learning about chemical soring, the practice of intentionally inflicting chemical burns on the horses' legs so that when the heavy chains strike the raw skin, the immense pain forces the horse to take a much higher, panicked, and artificial step.
We know that the horse slaughter pipeline is now being utilized to make these beautiful animals simply disappear when their show careers end. Arrangements are frequently made for them to be direct-shipped across borders. They vanish completely, never to be seen again, ultimately ending up on a dinner plate in another country.
This horrifying reality leads us to question exactly how deep the corruption runs to protect the artificial Big Lick gait. We know there are powerful political and legal connections extending all the way to Texas, where industry advocates successfully maneuvered to get a federal judge to rule against USDA regulations that would have finally prevented so much of this systemic cruelty.
The Big Lick is inherently cruel, and it must be stopped. Please share this post to raise awareness and help us fight for the welfare of these incredible horses.
