koshergrl
Diamond Member
- Aug 4, 2011
- 81,131
- 14,029
- 2,190
My cousin is a WH trainer (but not big licks) and my family have had Walkers for years..I've shown a few times as well.
There are different ways to go with showing...the "big licks" are those who use the weighted pads and chains, and show in the really exaggerated gaits. This is the industry where abuses occur..to get them to do what they do, they beat, sore (caustic substances/wounding on their fetlocks to make them hurt more) etc. to get these wonderful horses to fling their feet out there.
The thing is, Walkers are such tremendous animals ANYWAY. They are the only breed I know that can undergo such systematic abuse over generations and STILL want to give you more. Not only that, they're TOUGH...try putting weighted shoes on Quarterhorses or Thoroughbreds and push them hard and see what you've got.
I've been to the shows and met the trainers...and I've never really come out and said that they need to get rid of the style of showing, because it is steeped in tradition and it really is fascinating. I've ridden a big lick champion...but it's time to stop. Walkers are wonderful the way they are...their gait is natural, they are born with that runwalk...and there's no way the big lick industry can continue without continued abuses. It's time to shut them down.
The video is in the link.
Feds strengthen enforcement of anti-soring laws - News - Horsetalk.co.nz
There are different ways to go with showing...the "big licks" are those who use the weighted pads and chains, and show in the really exaggerated gaits. This is the industry where abuses occur..to get them to do what they do, they beat, sore (caustic substances/wounding on their fetlocks to make them hurt more) etc. to get these wonderful horses to fling their feet out there.
The thing is, Walkers are such tremendous animals ANYWAY. They are the only breed I know that can undergo such systematic abuse over generations and STILL want to give you more. Not only that, they're TOUGH...try putting weighted shoes on Quarterhorses or Thoroughbreds and push them hard and see what you've got.
I've been to the shows and met the trainers...and I've never really come out and said that they need to get rid of the style of showing, because it is steeped in tradition and it really is fascinating. I've ridden a big lick champion...but it's time to stop. Walkers are wonderful the way they are...their gait is natural, they are born with that runwalk...and there's no way the big lick industry can continue without continued abuses. It's time to shut them down.
The video is in the link.
Feds strengthen enforcement of anti-soring laws - News - Horsetalk.co.nz