Friday, March 1, 2019 | 2 a.m.
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I write to thank Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., for her tremendous work against the horrific practice of soring Tennessee Walking Horses, a plague that has marred the equine world for more than 60 years.
As reported by The Tennessean in Nashville, soring is “the practice of intentionally abusing Tennessee Walking Horses and related breeds to exaggerate their gait, causing the animals pain each time they step so they lift their front legs higher in what is known as the ‘Big Lick.’ ”
As an eight-time world champion rider and past president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association, I know how rampant this abuse is. Rep. Titus has stepped up and done the right thing for the horses and I applaud her.
We appreciate Titus’ recently cosponsoring the U.S. Senator Joseph D. Tydings Memorial Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, HR683, introduced by Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., and named in honor of Tydings, who authored the Horse Protection Act of 1970 and recently passed away.
One of our top supporters on this issue is Priscilla Presley, because Elvis Presley loved Tennessee Walking Horses. Elvis rode the horses for fans on many occasions, and I find it fitting that a Congresswoman representing Las Vegas would support a measure The King would be proud of.
The PAST Act would end soring for good, and the people of Las Vegas should be proud of Titus’ work.
The writer is executive director of Animal Wellness Action.
