Published: September 11, 2009 03:56 pm      

Funding restored — 09/14/09

Racing commission’s action could help reduce cheating

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has restored funding for the Tennessee walking horse breed — but with an important stipulation that could provide an incentive to reduce the widespread cheating that has given walking horse competitions a black eye in recent years.

Starting in 2010, owners and breeders of walking horses will be eligible to receive money from the Kentucky Walking Horse-Breeders Incentive Fund if — and this is a big IF — the shows their horses participate in pass inspection from one of three agencies: The Natural Walking Horse Association, the Friends of Sound Horses or the Horse Protection Commission.

“We wanted to speak for the horses,” said racing commission member Ned Bonnie, who led the panel’s investigation into illegal practices within the walking horse industry. “We hope this sends a message.”

The racing commission had suspended funding amid allegations some horses were intentionally harmed to change the way they walk. At issue is the illegal practice of soring, which involves irritating the horse’s foreleg and hoof to force the trademark high-stepping gait of Tennessee walking horses.

The cheating led to the postponement of the World Walking Horse Championship in Tennessee two years, and many walking horse shows were canceled when most of the horses were withdrawn as soon as federal inspectors showed up to look for signs of soring. The message was clear: The horses were withdrawn because they had been cruelly treated to make them look better in the show ring.

In its report, the racing commission determined that the Kentucky Walking Horse Association has “not been consistent with the best interests of the walking horse industry or the KHRC.”

By requiring owners and breeders to use one of the three approved organizations, Bonnie said the racing commission wants to assure better treatment of the horses. Sadly, Bonnie said the reaction for the walking horse community to his report has been mixed.

“I think there’s some people that want to murder me, but there’s others that think I should be an icon,” Bonnie said. “It was important for us to make a statement that the welfare of the horse is paramount.”

Donna Benefield, administrative director for the Horse Protection Commission, said the move by the racing commission is designed to reward owners for positive behavior. “Hopefully this will help improve the image of the walking horse,” she said.

If it doesn’t, the days are numbered when spectators are thrilled by the sight of beautiful, high-stepping horses proudly prancing the ring. Surely those who love their horses and treat them humanely recognize that the cheaters — not government regulations or inspections — pose the biggest threat to the future of the Tennessee walking horse.