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Stop Big Lick Abuse

The Big Lick gait of Tennessee Walking horses is not a harmless tradition, it is built on deliberate pain. To force the exaggerated, high-stepping gait judges are looking for, and fans cheer for, horses are subjected to a practice known as soring, where caustic chemicals, pressure shoeing, and mechanical devices are used to make every step cause excruciating pain.

Stacked shoes and tight chains strike already sensitized skin, creating a cycle where pain produces the very movement that wins ribbons. At Horse Plus Humane Society, we have seen the aftermath firsthand: horses arriving with scarred pasterns, chronic lameness, anxiety, and a deep mistrust of human handling. These are not isolated cases, they are the predictable result of a system that rewards suffering.

From our direct rescue work, the damage goes far beyond the show ring. Many horses from the big lick abuse cult we take in are physically broken down at a young age, unable to move comfortably, body structure permanently ruined by being forced to perform the big lick, not to mention the mental shutdown. Rehabilitation, if even possible, can take months or years, but for many of them, the pain and permanent changes are too severe and the Last Act of Kindness is the only thing we can do. The fact that this continues despite regulations shows how deeply ingrained the problem is. As an organization committed to ending equine cruelty, we believe no horse should have to endure pain for entertainment. The Big Lick industry must be held accountable, and meaningful enforcement and cultural change are essential to protect these horses from further harm.

Stop Big Lick Horse Abuse

3 Signatures (1%)
500 Goal

Stop Big Lick!

I, the undersigned, demand that the abusive practices associated with the Big Lick Walking Horse showing be permanently outlawed at every level of competition. This includes the immediate and total prohibition of stacked or exaggerated pads, action devices, chains, and any other equipment used to artificially induce the high-stepping gait through pain. These methods are inseparably tied to soring, a practice that inflicts suffering on horses to produce an unnatural performance for the sake of entertainment and ribbons. Such cruelty has no place in a humane and modern society. The continuation of these practices represents a failure of both oversight and ethics, and it is time for decisive action. The Big Lick must be relegated to the dustbin of history, replaced by flat-shod, humane horsemanship that respects the natural movement and dignity of the horse.

I, the undersigned, further demand that all corporations, sponsors, advertisers, and affiliated organizations immediately and publicly sever all ties with Big Lick competitions, events, and governing bodies. Financial backing enables and perpetuates this abuse, and any company that continues to support it is complicit in the suffering of these animals. Ethical corporate responsibility requires that businesses withdraw sponsorship, issue public statements condemning these practices, and redirect their support toward humane equestrian disciplines. Continued association with Big Lick events should be viewed as an endorsement of animal cruelty and treated accordingly by consumers and the public.

 

I, the undersigned, further demand that the United States Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Animal Crimes Unit implement robust, unannounced, and truly independent inspections of all horses present at showgrounds, not merely those voluntarily presented for inspection. Enforcement must be comprehensive and unavoidable, with authority to examine any horse, at any time, in any location on the premises. If a horse is found to be sored or otherwise abused, immediate legal action must be taken, including the arrest and prosecution of all responsible parties under applicable animal cruelty laws. Meaningful penalties, including lifetime bans from ownership and competition, must be enforced to deter repeat offenses. Only through rigorous enforcement, accountability, and zero tolerance for abuse can we bring an end to the suffering endured by these horses.

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This petition is hosted by Horse Plus Humane Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare orgazation, dedicated since 2003 to rescuing, sheltering and protecting as many equine from the slaughter pipeline as possible.  By submitting this petition, you agree that you will be added to our email list.