A major international protest is being organised this week against the horrific abuse of Tennessee Walking Horses within the controversial “Big Lick” show industry in the United States.
Campaigners from Citizens Against Big Lick and Horse Plus Humane Society are calling on horse lovers, animal welfare advocates and the global equestrian community to stand together and speak out against what many describe as one of the most shocking and disgraceful forms of organised horse abuse still taking place today.
At the centre of the outrage is the artificially exaggerated “Big Lick” gait, a movement that campaigners say is achieved through deliberate pain and cruelty inflicted on horses.
The practices linked to “soring” are deeply disturbing. Harmful chemicals including mustard oil, diesel fuel and kerosene are allegedly applied to horses’ lower legs to burn and inflame the skin. Chains, known as action devices, are then wrapped around the sore areas so that every movement causes pain, forcing horses to snap their legs upwards in an exaggerated motion to escape the agony.
Campaigners say the result is a grotesque spectacle built entirely on suffering.
The Tennessee Walking Horse is naturally known for its smooth, elegant gait and calm temperament, but welfare advocates argue that the Big Lick industry has twisted that natural beauty into something cruel and deeply unethical.
Many horses are left physically scarred from repeated chemical burns and abusive training methods. These scars are so severe they can reportedly be identified by USDA inspectors, and horses showing evidence of soring can be disqualified. Campaigners also claim that many of these damaged horses eventually disappear into the slaughter pipeline once their competitive careers are over.
Despite decades of criticism and welfare investigations, campaigners say the abuse continues behind closed doors.
Horse Plus Humane Society is now urging supporters around the world to help expose what is happening and increase pressure for meaningful change, stronger legislation and an end to the Big Lick industry altogether.
The protest will take place on May 28th at the Spring Jubilee show in Columbia, Tennessee:
Maury County Park
900 Maury County Park Dr
Columbia, Tennessee, USA
Supporters who cannot attend in person are being encouraged to join virtually, share the livestream, sign the online protest pledge and help ensure global attention remains firmly focused on the event. Click here for the link to the virtual protest.
Campaigners say the stakes are high. Last year, according to Horse Plus Humane Society, the organisation’s founders were allegedly physically attacked by individuals connected to the show after attempting to expose the treatment of horses within the industry.
Rather than silencing them, campaigners say the incident strengthened their determination to keep fighting.
“This is not tradition. This is not horsemanship. This is cruelty,” supporters say.
The organisation is urging the equestrian world not to stay silent.
You can support the campaign, sign the protest pledge and watch the campaign video through Horse Plus Humane Society’s official channels and on YouTube.
