This makes me sad. No more Tennessee Walking Horse

#5
#5
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#7
#7
My dad was fortunate to ride the walking horse almost 50 years ago at Neyland.
Are there bad apples in the business? Yes, like all businesses. But I can tell you that most trainers treat their horses better than family and the horses are treated like royalty with air conditioned stalls, constant grooming and baths, top of the line horse feed and hay, and medical care to rival anything that humans get.

I grew up in the business but chose not to carry on the family tradition. Dad has been gone almost a decade now but in his prime, he was a master horseman. And he loved Vols football and women's basketball.
 
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#8
#8
bigorangedude said:
We can live without it, especially considering how these animals are subject to physical pain and abuse in order to achieve the "walking" gait.
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It's like any other competition. There are those, unfortunately, that break the rules and commit abuses to gain advantages.
Actually, there is a federal law prohibiting the use of performance weights, or stacks, specifically on the Tennessee Walker - the Horse Protection Act.

There are reputable breeders that never use any such devices and get the Walking Gait by genetics and humane, safe training methods.
Makes me sick that a few ruin the solid, rich history of the breed and the standing of the folks out there that do it the right way.
 
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#9
#9
bigorangedude said:
We can live without it, especially considering how these animals are subject to physical pain and abuse in order to achieve the "walking" gait.
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It’s a plow horse, with a natural high step while the exaggerated gait was from the harsh training. Much training improvements have been made in recent decades anyway.

This aspect should not have anything to do with whether or not the horse is used now once a year for homecoming.

Their public excuse is total BS too btw.

Do they apply the same rational to crazy Smokey XI? Funny how nobody mentions the family that owns them has likely inbred them which is why he has problems….
 
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#11
#11
Mustng959 said:
My dad was fortunate to ride the walking horse almost 50 years ago at Neyland.
Are there bad apples in the business? Yes, like all businesses. But I can tell you that most trainers treat their horses better than family and the horses are treated like royalty with air conditioned stalls, constant grooming and baths, top of the line horse feed and hay, and medical care to rival anything that humans get.

I grew up in the business but chose not to carry on the family tradition. Dad has been gone almost a decade now but in his prime, he was a master horseman. And he loved Vols football and women's basketball.
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Thank you for posting this too! My grandfather was a walker trainer way back and shared both sides of the dilemma before he passed.

The “you can’t use that horse anymore” hypocritical crowd that owns labradoodles need to pipe down! 😂
 
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#12
#12
beachvol23 said:
Thank you for posting this too! My grandfather was a walker trainer way back and shared both sides of the dilemma before he passed.

The “you can’t use that horse anymore” hypocritical crowd that owns labradoodles need to pipe down! 😂
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They might have known each other.
 
#13
#13
Freak said:
View attachment 789478


www.knoxnews.com

End of an era for Tennessee homecoming as walking horse tradition is retired

Why Vols fans will no longer see a Tennessee Walking Horse at Neyland Stadium.
www.knoxnews.com
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Traditions being thrown out the window. 'Due to safety concerns' what a joke. Fl St. has a horse, Texas has Bevo. Who made this atrocious decision?
Due to safety concerns for the horse, rider and those on the sidelines, the tradition will cease, according to Justin Rhinehart, assistant dean of UT Extension.
 
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#14
#14
BearBryant said:
Traditions being thrown out the window. 'Due to safety concerns' what a joke. Fl St. has a horse, Texas has Bevo. Who made this atrocious decision?
Due to safety concerns for the horse, rider and those on the sidelines, the tradition will cease, according to Justin Rhinehart, assistant dean of UT Extension.
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It’s a BS excuse!
 
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#15
#15
BearBryant said:
Traditions being thrown out the window. 'Due to safety concerns' what a joke. Fl St. has a horse, Texas has Bevo. Who made this atrocious decision?
Due to safety concerns for the horse, rider and those on the sidelines, the tradition will cease, according to Justin Rhinehart, assistant dean of UT Extension.
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Traveler - the horse the USC uses - is a Tennessee Walker.

Roy Rogers 2nd horse - Trigger Jr - was a Tennessee Walker.

I agree...its a BS excuse.
 
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#16
#16
The only danger I saw was a few years back, I think it was against UT-Martin at homecoming, the walking horse did what horses do and took a giant dump in front of the tunnel.

Crowds of UT staffers stood around pondering how to deal with the mess before someone came out with a shovel, gagged, and then carried the pile off.

That’s what I’m telling myself led to this decision.
 
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#17
#17
DooleyOrangePants said:
The only danger I saw was a few years back, I think it was against UT-Martin at homecoming, the walking horse did what horses do and took a giant dump in front of the tunnel.

Crowds of UT staffers stood around pondering how to deal with the mess before someone came out with a shovel, gagged, and then carried the pile off.

That’s what I’m telling myself led to this decision.
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Society is so soft!
 
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#19
#19
A beautiful horse, and ever since the soring of pasterns to get a big lick came to an end, beautiful to watch walk.

If you've ever ridden one, you know they define SMOOTH!!!!

Bummer this is ending, but it makes sense. Maybe if they could find a naturally deaf horse it would make a good candidate?
 
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#20
#20
BearBryant said:
Traditions being thrown out the window. 'Due to safety concerns' what a joke. Fl St. has a horse, Texas has Bevo. Who made this atrocious decision?
Due to safety concerns for the horse, rider and those on the sidelines, the tradition will cease, according to Justin Rhinehart, assistant dean of UT Extension.
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Colorado has Ralphie.... Oklahoma has the horses and wagon...Total lame excuse by UT.
 
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#22
#22
Remember back in the 80s or early 90s the horse slipped twice on the new turf during the pregame? I’m pretty sure it was damp, but it was a little scary. On one of the slips it lost its backend completely and went completely down, but got right up and the rider stayed on.
 
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#23
#23
kcvols1 said:
Or a minority engaging in cruel behavior ruined the day.

But enjoy your talking points!
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To be fair, I believe he was talking about having the horse walk before games, not soring of the horse for that cruel 'big lick'.

The Walker has a beautiful gait w/o chains or soring. So glad that ended. But I'm also sad there won't be one at homecoming, with a NATURAL gait of course.
 
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