Horse advocates' Washington rally targets soring
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 12:49 pm
By Sean Cockerham
McClatchy News Service
WASHINGTON — With lawmakers divided over a bill to stop the abuse of show horses, advocates for the measure brought horses to the Capitol on Wednesday for a demonstration designed to pressure Congress to ban some of the painful procedures, known as soring, used to make horses step higher in the ring.
The bill by Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., would forbid the use of "action devices," such as chains that rub on horses' legs made sensitive with chemicals, and pads that hurt the hooves to achieve the crowd-pleasing exaggerated high gait known as the "Big Lick."
The measure would end the industry's self-policing, and has attracted 291 co-sponsors, drawing support from both parties.
But other influential lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., say the bill goes too far. Its future is far from certain with time running out to pass this year, given a congressional calendar that includes a monthlong August recess and other breaks before the midterm elections in November.
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2014/06/19/3299 ... rylink=cpy