LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The practice is called soring and means inflicting pain in a horse’s foot so it will lift its feet higher at a show.
The U.S. Horse Protection Act of 1970 banned soring, but the practice continues, said the executive director of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Horse owners strive for a higher step in breeds like the Tennessee Walking Horse. It’s known as the “big lick.”
“That big lick is still rewarded in the show ring, and I am told you can’t do that without soreness,” David Foley said during a horse welfare session at the National Institute for Animal Agriculture meeting held in Louisville April 15-17.
Read Also
Ag in Motion shows four barley varieties on a single plot
Kui Liu, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientist, has been trialling a mix of barley varieties to address crop issues. A plot with this mix is on display at Ag in Motion 2025.
“The industry has failed to police itself.”
A 2006 review found a high level of soreness among these horses, and a 2008 white paper from the equine practitioners association made recommendations. It was discovered that soring was still being practised in 2010, and a 2012 undercover video of horse abuse put the practice in the public eye.
“After 40 years of the Horse Protection Act, the industry has failed to reduce soring,” Foley said.
He said not enough shows are monitored, and violators will sometimes load their trailers and leave if an inspector shows up.
Horse owners induce soreness by equipping their animals with specially built shoes, trimming their hoofs close to induce laminitis or inserting something into the hoof to alter their step.
A heavy bracelet may go around the pastern to force horses to raise their front feet. This is allowed in the show ring, but heavier chains are used in training. The effect is intensified when a caustic chemical is placed under the chain, which causes pain as the foot moves and forces the horse to lift it higher.
The degree of inspection varies from show to show and Foley said uniform rules and monitoring are needed to improve horse welfare.
The public is also concerned about the use of medications, especially in racehorses. Many consider drugs a form of cheating to enhance performance that may ultimately lead to a horse’s breakdown.
The AAEP is not a regulatory body but hopes to educate and influence horse owners and trainers on the use of medications, handling at-risk horses, reporting injuries and finding a new life for horses after racing.
Part of the problem is a lack of uniformity among the 38 racing jurisdictions in North America. Each has its own protocol for testing and penalties for violators who use banned substances or perform prohibited operations on horses.
However, the Thoroughbred registry, the Jockey Club and other horse organizations are introducing changes to regulations on medications and clarifications on what constitutes a prohibited drug or procedure.
“Big changes should be on the horizon,” Foley said.
“The best way to mitigate many of the injury risks associated with racing would be uniformity in all areas as well as a thorough examination of every horse which is currently not required in all jurisdictions.”
The AAEP has also worked with groups on retirement options for racehorses, in which they may be used for breeding or sports such as dressage and reining. It has also helped with guidelines for rescue and retirement facilities.
“Some horses can’t be rehabilitated at all due to injury,” he said.
“Some horses are just not safe to transition into another career.”
As well, there is never enough money or places for retired horses.
Still, the industry needs to strive for continuous improvement in horse welfare using scientific research. The horse industry needs to lead the way in better care, but ultimately the public has the final say.
“Science informs decisions, but people make them,” said equine veterinarian Thomas Lenz of Zoetis, who sits on horse welfare committees.
“There is no black and white answer to most welfare issues,” he said. “It is a grey area that needs discussion and some consensus in order to change.”
Lenz said the horse industry has been slow to explain some of its practices. Ordinary horse owners should have been talking with legislators to make sure laws were practical and enforceable, he added.
