What is the penalty for a horse that doesn’t pass inspection?
A – Penalties vary based on the violation. For some minor rule violations, exhibitors are allowed to correct the problem before they go into the show ring. Some violations have penalties that include fines and suspensions. It is important to note that EVERY penalty imposed by the National Horse Show Commission (NHSC) exceeds what is mandated by the federal Horse Protection Act. Q – The Tennessee Walking Horse has a very unique, high-stepping gait. Some have said that in order to win shows, the horse is intentionally made lame or “sore” to encourage it to step higher. Is this true? A – The Tennessee Walking Horse does possess a unique high-stepping gait, and is enhanced by professional training, just as professional athletes train to enhance their natural abilities. Unfortunately, many years ago, various techniques that caused pain to the horse were used. However, soring horses is now unacceptable in the industry. New training techniques have been developed, and the acceptable training
