Mounted police and therapeutic riding programs are among the 2014 recipients of The Humane Society of the United States âNow Thatâs a Walking Horse!â grant and recognition program.
A Tennessee Walking Horse
Mounted police and therapeutic riding programs are among the 2014 recipients of The Humane Society of the United States âNow Thatâs a Walking Horse!â grant and recognition program.
The award program is part of The HSUSâ effort to promote flat-shod registered Tennessee walking horses in venues other than traditional show ring rail classes.
The HSUS is committed to ending the practice of horse âsoring,â which is the deliberate infliction of pain to Tennessee walking horsesâ legs and hooves to force them to perform an artificially high-stepping gait that is rewarded in the performance or âBig Lickâ segment of the walking horse industry.
The 2014 grant recipients include four therapy programs that use gaited horses, five organizations that focus on education and humane training of gaited horses, one mounted police division and two individuals who participate in non-traditional walking horse events.
The award recipients include six individuals who ride and compete with walking horses in events that promote the breedâs versatility. The youngest recipient is a 6-year-old boy from Michigan who will use the award money to continue his therapeutic riding lessons.
A full list of the 2014 winners and an application for the 2015 awards are available here.