By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Every year in late August, the hardcore faction of the Tennessee walking horse industry descends on Shelbyville, TN for the breed’s multi-day pinnacle event known as the “National Celebration.” This is the gang that favors the artificial, pain-based high-stepping gait known as the “big lick,” and every year brings shocking revelations of how deeply entrenched the practice of “soring” horses to win blue ribbons has become, as well as the lengths to which big lick enthusiasts will go to evade the law and its punishments.

By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson

Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced its version of the Fiscal Year 2022 Agriculture Appropriations bill following the House passage of its version last week. The Senate bill and accompanying committee report contain some important highlights for animals, notably for enforcement of laws including the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.

Today’s approval of H.R. 4502, a package of appropriations bills funding key federal agencies, offers dramatic evidence of the success we’ve achieved through our laser-like focus on the federal budgeting process.