Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) is proud to announce that it is a sponsor of the Walk on Washington on June 18, in Union Square, Washington, D.C. Walk on Washington is a historical event supporting passage of the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act to end soring of Tennessee Walking Horses and other gaited breeds. Soring is the cruel and deliberate infliction of pain upon the front legs and hooves to create a high stepping gait for the show ring. FOSH strongly endorses the PAST Act.
Walk On Washington will feature Tennessee Walking, Spotted Saddle and Racking Horses showcasing the natural ability, versatility and sound temperament of these exceptional U.S. developed and originated horse breeds. Remarks supporting passage of the PAST Act will be delivered by various legislators cosponsoring the PAST Act. Information is available at www.walkinghorsealliance.com.
The Walk’s organizer, All American Walking Horse Alliance (AAWHA) hopes to bring public attention and legislative action to this bipartisan legislation. The PAST Act is cosponsored by 279 members of the House of Representatives (H.R. 1518) and 54 Senators (S. 1406). Such prestigious organizations as the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, United States Equestrian Federation, American Horse Council and every state veterinary medical association in the United States endorses the PAST Act.
Sponsoring Walk on Washington is the most recent of many initiatives supported by FOSH during the last fifteen years to end soring. FOSH has studied technology, created and maintained a database of 12,500+ Horse Protection Act (HPA) violations (www.hpadata.us), had numerous meetings with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), held four national Sound Horse Conferences, operated a USDA certified Horse Industry Organization (HIO), developed and maintained an online media database about soring with over 700 archived articles, met with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, created a humane show ring and rules for Tennessee Walking Horses, testified before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and has come to one conclusion: enactment of PAST is the only solution to end soring. PAST amends the Horse Protection Act (1970) by (1) increasing penalties (2) abolishing the pads and chains used to enhance the soring process on the horse and (3) eliminating the conflict ridden HIO system.
The Walk’s organizer, All American Walking Horse Alliance (AAWHA) hopes to bring public attention and legislative action to this bipartisan legislation. The PAST Act is cosponsored by 281 members of the House of Representatives (H.R. 1518) and 54 Senators (S. 1406). Such prestigious organizations as the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, United States Equestrian Federation, American Horse Council and every state veterinary medical association in the United States endorses the PAST Act.
FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about FOSH, or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info or call 800-651-7993.
