The world of equestrian sports is filled with breathtaking displays of partnership and athleticism. Yet, lurking in the shadows of some show rings is a practice so controversial it has divided a community and sparked federal legislation: Big Lick Horse Training. Associated almost exclusively with the Tennessee Walking Horse, the “big lick” is an exaggerated, high-stepping gait that, while visually striking to some, is often achieved through methods that inflict immense pain and suffering on the animal. At Equine Excellence, we believe in shedding light on all corners of the horse world, and that includes the uncomfortable truths.
The Tennessee Walking Horse is naturally gifted with a smooth, ground-covering running walk. It’s a gait that made them the favored mount for plantation owners, doctors, and anyone who spent long hours in the saddle. The “big lick,” however, is an amplification of this natural movement, engineered for the show ring. It is a man-made spectacle, and the methods used to create it are the heart of the controversy. This journey into how to become a professional horse trainer must begin with an unwavering commitment to the horse’s welfare, a principle that stands in stark opposition to the big lick’s dark side.
What is the “Big Lick” Gait?
The “big lick” is a specific gait prized in certain Tennessee Walking Horse and Racking Horse show divisions. It’s characterized by an extreme, upward and forward reach of the front legs, where the horse’s hooves can reach the height of its chest. The horse essentially snaps its front legs up with each step while simultaneously sliding its hind feet forward. This flashy, dramatic movement is anything but natural. It is the result of a combination of heavy, stacked platform shoes (known as “stacks” or “pads”) and, most disturbingly, the illegal practice of “soring.”
Soring is the intentional infliction of pain on a horse’s lower legs and hooves to force them to lift their feet higher and faster in response to the agony. This abusive practice is the unspoken secret behind the dramatic action of many top show horses in the big lick world.
The Dark Side: Unpacking the Practice of Soring
To understand big lick horse training, one must understand soring. It is not training in any ethical sense; it is abuse, plain and simple. The goal is to make the horse’s pasterns so sensitive that the impact of the ground and the striking of a chain around the pastern becomes excruciating, causing the horse to snatch its feet up in a desperate attempt to escape the pain. This is accomplished through several horrific methods.
Chemical Soring
One of the most common methods involves applying caustic chemicals to the horse’s front pasterns. Substances like mustard oil, diesel fuel, kerosene, or salicylic acid are slathered onto the skin. The legs are then tightly wrapped in plastic, which “cooks” the chemicals into the flesh, causing severe blistering, burns, and inflammation. The pain is so intense that the horse will do anything to avoid putting weight on its front feet or allowing anything to touch the sensitized area. Trainers often try to mask the visible signs of this abuse with dyes or numbing agents to pass inspections.
Pressure Shoeing and Action Devices
Pressure soring involves trimming the horse’s hoof down to the sensitive tissue (the quick) and then applying a shoe and pad that puts intense pressure on this raw area. Sometimes, foreign objects like screws, bolts, or acrylic are placed under the pad to create a single, agonizing pressure point. Every step is a jolt of pain that shoots up the horse’s leg.
This agony is compounded by the use of “action devices,” which are typically heavy chains (six to ten ounces) fastened around the pasterns. As the horse moves, these chains strike the chemically-burned or pressure-sored area, creating a double-dose of pain that drives the horse to produce the desired high-stepping gait. The combination of the heavy stacks, which alter the horse’s natural joint angles and add strain, and the pain from soring creates a perfect storm of cruelty. When considering how to train a horse, exploring humane methods like how to start liberty training with your horse offers a path based on trust and communication, not fear and pain.
The Horse Protection Act: A Law Under Siege
In response to widespread public outrage, the United States Congress passed the Horse Protection Act (HPA) in 1970. This federal law prohibits the soring of horses and bans their participation in shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is tasked with enforcing the HPA.
However, enforcement has been a significant challenge for over 50 years. Inspectors are often met with hostility, and trainers have developed sophisticated methods to hide their abuse. The industry created its own inspection system, which has been criticized as a classic “fox guarding the henhouse” scenario, with insiders often failing to find violations that are later identified by USDA veterinarians. The penalties for violations are often minimal, doing little to deter a practice that can win trainers and owners substantial prize money and prestige. The ongoing debate over practices like those seen in training how do they train tennessee walking horses highlights the deep divisions within the equestrian community about what constitutes acceptable training.
A Brighter Future Through Ethical Horsemanship
Not all Tennessee Walking Horses are subjected to this cruelty. The vast majority of owners and enthusiasts love their horses for their natural, smooth gaits and gentle dispositions. There is a strong and growing movement to promote the “flat-shod” or “sound horse,” where horses are shown with natural hooves and without the use of stacks or chains. These divisions celebrate the horse’s innate talent without resorting to abusive shortcuts.
Choosing ethical training methods is the cornerstone of responsible horsemanship. It’s about building a partnership based on trust, not terror. Techniques that focus on positive reinforcement, understanding equine biomechanics, and celebrating the horse’s natural abilities are the future. By supporting shows that prioritize soundness, educating the public about soring, and advocating for stronger legislation like the PAST Act (Prevent All Soring Tactics), we can collectively work to end this dark chapter in equestrian history. The world of equine sports has room for incredible feats, and learning how to trick train a horse can be a joyful and bonding experience, proving that impressive results never require cruelty.
Ultimately, the conversation around big lick horse training is a test of our collective conscience. As riders, trainers, and fans, we have a responsibility to protect the animals we love. We must reject any practice that sacrifices a horse’s well-being for a blue ribbon and champion a future where every horse is treated with the dignity and respect it deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the big lick a natural gait for horses?
No, the big lick is not a natural gait. It is a man-made, exaggerated version of the Tennessee Walking Horse’s natural running walk, achieved through the use of tall, stacked shoes and, often, the illegal and abusive practice of soring.
What exactly is soring a horse?
Soring is the intentional infliction of pain to a horse’s legs or hooves to force it to perform an exaggerated gait. This is typically done by applying caustic chemicals that burn the skin or by trimming the hoof to the sensitive tissue and applying pressure with pads and foreign objects.
Is big lick horse training illegal?
The act of soring to achieve the big lick gait is illegal under the 1970 Horse Protection Act. However, the gait itself is not illegal, and weak enforcement of the law has allowed the practice of soring to continue in many parts of the industry.
Are all Tennessee Walking Horses sored?
Absolutely not. The vast majority of Tennessee Walking Horses are beloved trail and pleasure mounts that are never sored. The “big lick” and soring are confined to a specific, highly controversial segment of the show horse world.
How can I help stop the practice of soring?
You can help by supporting legislation like the PAST (Prevent All Soring Tactics) Act, which aims to strengthen the Horse Protection Act. Additionally, support sound, flat-shod horse shows and educate others about the reality of soring to raise awareness and put pressure on the industry to change.
