Soring Saddlebreds?

It is a common misconception among the general public that any high trotting horse was abused to get such results. Any time I share a picture of my saddlebreds, I get asked the same, accusatory questions: “Why would you sore your horses?” “You know that hurts the horse right?” The truth of the matter is, the general collection of equestrians are so unfamiliar with the high-steppers that they do not know any better than to classify them all as the same. However, anyone with experience in the area can talk for hours on the differences between Saddlebreds and Tennessee Walkers. The question I get asked the most relates to soring. To clear things up: No, the saddlebred industry does not sore any of their horses. Of course, there are exceptions to everything and there are, most likely, a small handful of trainers that will even sore a saddlebred. The Humane Society of the United States defines soring as “the intentional infliction of pain to a horse's legs or hooves in order to force the horse to perform an artificial, exaggerated gait. Caustic chemicals—blistering agents like mustard oil, diesel fuel and kerosene—are applied to the horse's limbs, causing extreme pain and suffering.” What is the purpose of soring? Tennessee walkers are expected to have dramatic leg action. Their racking gait requires their front end to move at a quicker pace while their back end has an elongated stride. Through soring, extra pain is added to the front feet. This causes the horse to take longer and further steps with its back legs to quickly relieve any pressure they place on the front. One of my favorite animal rights organizations provides a great list of ways to tell if a horse is sored. This group (The Horse Fund) says to check for the following:

• The horse stands with his feet close together, shifting its weight to its hind legs.

• Granulation tissue or scars are visible on the pasterns or coronet band.

• Wavy hair growth or hair loss is visible in the pastern area.

• The horse's pasterns have darker hair than the rest of the horse's coat.

• The horse carries his hocks low and may twist them outward when moving.

• The horse lies down for extended periods of time, and is resistant to standing up.

• The horse resists handling of his hooves.

•The horse has difficulty walking, and may fall.

Citations and More Information:

The Horse Fund

Humane Society of the United States

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