UPDATE: The Walking Horse Trainer’s Association’s New Inspection

Dr. Clem Dussault of the Office of Inspector General and veterinarian Angie Lingl investigate for evidence of soring on this Walking horse. Image courtesy of Knox News.

In the wake of the scandal caused by chemical soring at Walking Horse competitions, The Walking Horse Trainer’s Association has claimed they are introducing a “new” test to see if horses have been sored with caustic chemicals. This new test, it is alleged, is not all that different from tests performed by USDA representatives at shows currently. There has been some speculation whether these new tests will actually have an effect on abusers of these horses, or if they are merely a placation. It is alleged that those found abusing Walking horses with soring will have fairly lenient punishment:

“The trainers group said the horses will be tested for caustic and masking agents through special technology. Trainers refusing to submit to the testing will not be allowed to compete in that show and will have their license suspended for two weeks.” The Republic

In addition, those found abusing these horses will have their names publicly listed online as animal abusers. In addition to these new tests, the Humane Society of the United States is now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for the names of those suspected to be horse abusers. Whether these new threats will deter the abusive practice of soring in the Walking horse world, is yet to be seen.

The trainer pictured, Jeff Green of Shelbyville, has over 6 suspensions for soring horses. Image courtesy of the Tennessean.

Trainer With Ties To Cartel In Court

Allegedly, Eusevio Huitron was being paid unusually high amount to train horses, and has since been accused of laundering money for  Mexican drug cartel. Huitron, who trains racing Quarter horses, has been accused of laundering money for the Zeta cartel through a real-estate business and trained their horses for competition. Authorities confiscated property from Huitron,including one of his prize racing horses, Tempting Dash. This horse had won several races such as the Dash for Cash at Lone Star Park race track in Grand Prairie, Texas, in October 2009.

Tempting Dash, one of Huitron’s winning horses. Image courtesy of 440 Post.

Walking Horse National Celebration Scandal Rages On

You may have heard a while back about Pepsi pulling its sponsorship after controversial footage about the Walking Horse National Celebration was aired. If not, take a quick peek at the Humane Society video most of the clips were gathered from below:

After ABC aired the controversial footage, Pepsi pulled its sponsorship from the event entirely and stricter penalties were put in place to prevent further abuse of these horses. The method referred to as ‘soring’ causes these horses to step higher due to stifling pain, resulting in a more ‘fancy’ high-stepping gait. It it important to note, however, that not all Tennessee Walking Horses are trained with this method. Thus far four Tennessee Walking Horse handlers have pleaded guilty to horse abuse, and it is expected that this number may steadily rise.

Dixon Rocked By Equine Scandal

UPDATE: Rita Crundwell has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the fraud charge against her.

Of Glitz And Bling And Embezzled Things

In the quiet town of Dixon, Illinois, long-time comptroller Rita Crundwell is alleged to have embezzled over $30 million to fund a private horse farm, a lavish motor home, and expensive jewelry. The horse farm in question, Meri-J Farm is well-known for its high-quality quarter horses that were predominantly local champions in the western riding scene. Crundwell was well-known for her elite horses, most recently praised for her mare ‘Pizzazzy Lady’, who won the 2011 American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show in Oklahoma City.

Pictured: Rita Crundwell and one of her horses. Image courtesy of The Atlantic.

Looking a Gift Horse In The Mouth: The Rebekah Brooks Incident

In a bizarre twist events unfolding in England, Rebekah Brooks, the first female editor of The Sun, is facing criticism for ‘poor treatment’ of a former Metropolitan police horse named ‘Raisa’ after reports that the animal was returned to Scotland Yard at the age of 24 in ‘poor condition’.

Rebekah Brooks, and an image of a current in-service Metropolitan Police horse. Image courtesy of Telegraph.co.uk