a bucket full of various little secret blends and go into the horse's stall wherein they went about their business of soring the horse. Although I did not see them in the act of doing it, I did inspect the horse after they left and was surprised to see what some women will do, especially in front of their children, just to acquire a Blue Ribbon. The horse was sore to the touch and was fanning his feet and gave me the impression of being in great discomfort, if not pain. I would just like to ask why if Walking Horse people deny burning their horses, why do they keep buying a product called Reach, a solution any veterinarian will tell you has a very powerful burning reaction, almost acid like when applied to an open wound, and advertises itself by saying on the bottle, "Have a Blue Ribbon Winner, make them reach with Reach." ELIZABETH, N.J., September 1, 1969. Re the Horse Protection Act of 1969, S. 2543 in the Senate and H.R. 12438 in the House of Representatives. Senator JOSEPH D. TYDINGS, Congressman WILLIAM WHITEHURST, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIRS: A recent four week trip throughout some ten states attending Agricultural Fairs, Horse Shows, Rodeo Contests and Race Meetings indicated a prime necessity of preventing other barbarities toward horses and ponies, in addition to the prevention of soring of Tennessee Walking Horses in the presently proposed legislation. These barbarities include: 1. The mutilating and maiming for life of Show Horses and Ponies Tails. (a) By Docking. The barbarous amputation of the lower portion of their docks (tails). (b) By Cutting and Setting. The brutal severing of the ligaments in the upper and outside area of their docks (tails), and then strapping them in tail setting devices for shaping into "Water Spout Tails". (The Show Ring Term for an artifically developed highly rounded and flowing tail carriage.) 2. The vicious shoulder spurring and the tightly drawn and taut Flank Straps, Loin Straps and Bucking Straps used on Rodeo Stock-Horses and Bulls. Spurs in the shoulder and strappings applied singly, in twos or frequently all three, are excruiatingly painful and are used to excite and infuriate wild-like and furious gyrations by the animals to free themselves of the torture and to dislodge (Buck off) their riders. These barbarous inflictions of pain on Rodeo Stock are designed to provide rugged performances for judging the rider-contestants' abilities, and provide sadistic type entertainment for patrons (spectators). These inhumane practices are simple to eliminate by barring the usage of Spurs and Strappings in sensitive areas, permitting continuing usage of the usual (the regular) Flank Strap in its normal position and tautness. The elimination of Spurs and Strappings permits Rodeo animals a choice of bucking and pitching-or not to buck and pitch. 3. The one-handed Abusive, Brutal and Cruel Whipping Finishes inflicted on racing horses. These inhumane practices can be eliminated by simple rules: (a) By requiring Drivers of Harness Racing Horses and Ponies to maintain both hands on the lines, from the start to the finish of a race, with their hands held in juxta (opposite) position and whippings limited to a flex of the wrist and a flick on the hip or back. (b) By requiring Riders (Jockeys) of Running Horses and Ponies to maintain both hands on the reins, from the start to the finish of a race, with their hands held in juxta (opposite) position and whippings limited to a flex of the wrist and a flick on the neck or shoulder. In the event a horse indicates an intent to "run in" or "run out" (deliberately change its course) then, the Rider (the Jockey) may switch the whip to the hand believed to be best effective for preventing an irregular movement but, the whip may not be applied to the neck or shoulder until such switch-over of the whip is fully executed. The elimination of one-handed whippings permits Racing Animals to race on desire and courage breed in, by breeding best to best, for many generations. The writer stands ready and willing, and hopefully ably informed to be heard, or to testify for the record, at anytime and any place. Very truly yours, JOHN W. PATTEN. [Telegram] Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Seattle, Wash., August 22, 1969. Our two state societies of Washington urgently solicit your valuable cooperation in strongly opposing the passage of Rogers-Javits bill S. 2446 and also in supporting the Horse Protection Act of 1969 S. 2543 as well as the Endangered Species Bill HR-11363. Your efforts in behalf of helpless animals is widely appreciated. STATE HUMANE SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON AND [Telegram] Senator MAGNUSON, Edmonds, Wash., September 12, 1969. I want to take the opportunity to let you know that the Progressive Animal Mrs. VIRGINIA KNOUSE, THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, INC., Senator WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: This is to express our enthusiastic support for the Horse Protection Act of 1969-S. 2543. The practice of soring horses' feet, instead of training them properly, is indefensible, and we urge passage of the Act with all possible haste. We agree with Senator Tydings that Congress has the definite responsibility to halt this cruel practice. We are delighted that the Endangered Species Bill-H.R. 11363-passed the House by unanimous consent, and hope that both bills will do likewise in the Senate. Sincerely, Mrs. WALKER BUEL, President. ANIMAL PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION, INC., Senator WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: Knowing of your interest in humane legislation for animals (as evidenced by your authorship of the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act, PL. 89-544) we feel sure you will do what you can for S. 2543, the Tennessee Walking Horse bill, to prevent the "soring" of the feet of Tennessee Walking Horses, re-introduced recently by Sen. Joseph D. Tydings because of his kind concern about this form of cruelty. He will chair the hearing on September 17th before the Sub-Committee on Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment. We hope this Sub-Committee will give this needed bill its entire support so that when it comes before your entire Committee on Commerce it will receive a still further backing. We hope several of us can be present at the hearings, representatives of our Animal Protective Association. You may also expect most certainly representatives of the Humane Society of the United States, of the Maryland Animal Welfare Associations, and of the Federation of Virginia Animal Welfare Societies. Any sort of cruelty to and exploitation of any animal or class of animals, GOD's creatures, is in excusable, but it does seem that cruel exploitation for amusement (as for hunting, rodeos, etc. or even certain types of conservation, if only to "conserve" for later killing by hunters) and for fashion and money prizes is even more indefensible. Therefore this deliberate "soring" of the front feet of beautiful horses as a short, easy artificial way of attaining the stylish gait instead of the longer, more humane proper training of these intelligent animals is especially reprehensible. Of course we are against all exploitation of innocent animal life in the horrid research laboratories, in the still cruel slaughterhouses, and all kinds of exploitation of human fancies and for "fancied" needs. May we also at this time register our full support of The Endangered Species Bill, H.R. 11363, which passed the House unanimously July 21st. We pray the Senate will also back this much needed legislation for part of the wildlife of the world. How mankind seems so sinfully determined to domineer with his cruelty this world when he must be made to realize that, "The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1) In behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, our dear animal friends and helpers, Sincerely, VIRGINIA W. SARGENT. FLORIDA FEDERATION OF HUMANE SOCIETIES, INC., Re S. 2543. Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: Knowing your record of supporting "Humane" bills, I do not need to urge you to support the bill which would go a long way in preventing the odious practice of soring the feet of Tennessee Walking horses or of ordinary horses to make them step like such horses. This letter is written to assure you of the whole hearted support of the Florida Federation of Humane Societies in the campaign to outlaw this practice. Several years ago, I met two teachers from Tennessee and this subject came up. They told me that one of their students had a part time job at the near-by stables and he had told them that one of his jobs was to "sore" the feet of horses by acid or other means to make them lift their front feet daintily so that they would appear to be natural "Walking Horses". We appreciate the effective service you have given the cause of humane treatment of all kinds of animals over the years. Sincerely yours, (Miss) MABEL E. CRAFTS, Co-Chairman Legislative Committee. PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, State of Louisiana: Before me, M. F. Bloomenstiel, a Notary Public duly commissioned and authorized for the Parish and State aforesaid, personally came and appeared Richard Mary, to me personally known, who deposed and said, that: I have been requested to make a statement concerning the condition of the Tennessee Walking Horses at the 1969 National Walking Horse Celebration, Shelbyville, Tennessee. I have had forty years experience in the training, showing and judging of Tennessee Walking Horses and am one of the three people in the world who has judged this show three times; this show being the championship Tennessee Walking Horse show. My experience in the judging included approximately ten shows a year in various sections of the country and I would like to state that the 1969 Celebration was the cleanest national celebration as far as soreness and laceration of Tennessee Walking Horses that I have seen in the past twenty years. There were 1,779 head of horses entered at this show. The boots were taken from the horses in every class for the purpose of examination. Only three horses were ejected from the ring because of rawness or bleeding and only one horse was ejected from the ring because of illegal boots which contained a leather covered roll. At no time did any of the three judges see a boot with tacks, nails, wedges or any other device to cause burns, cuts, or lacerations to the horses. This progress has been noticed by me at all of the shows I have judged this year. I think this is mainly due to the efforts of the newly formed trainers association comprised of all the Tennessee Walking Horse trainers. These trainers are stressing the showing of cleaner horses and the more humane treatment of horses. I propose that this bill be shelved and the situation reexamined next year to determine the progress which the exhibitors have made. If this bill is passed it is possible that personnel who are not qualified in this particular field, in attempting to enforce the proposed law, would injustly penalize the exhibtors of this sport. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 24th day of September, 1969. Senator WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Senate Commerce Committee, RICHARD MARY. Notary. 4293 AVATI DRIVE, San Diego, Calif., August 18, 1969. DEAR SIR: Writing as a private citizen, I am most indignant about the practice of "soring" show horses's feet. I do urge you to do all in your power to obtain passage of the Horse Protection Act, of 1969, S. 2543. The public is becoming more and more aware of the present abuse of animals in so many diversified ways. Those members of our Government who give earnest effort to reducing this suffering are greatly respected and supported. You are in a much better position than I to know what is going on, where the real value of legislation lies, and what the "tricks" are. All I ask is that you continue to work indefatiguably to reduce pain and distress among animals in every way. Any laws passed should be ensured constant, vigilant enforcement. Thanking you for your help in the past, now, and in the future. Sincerely, MARIAN HAMILTON State Humane Officer, Mercy Crusade, Inc. THE MONTGOMERY HUMANE SOCIETY, Montgomery, Ala., August 21, 1969. Senator WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Senate Commerce Committee, Dear SENATOR MAGNUSON: The Southern Championship Horse Show is held in Montgomery each November. Since 1965 we have talked to H. O. Davis, President and General Chairman, of this event concerning the soring of feet of Tennessee Walking Horses. A few days ago I sent Christine Stevens a photostatic copy of a letter our Humane Society Board wrote Mr. Davis August 13, 1969 and asked her to send it on to you. It seemed to use neither Mr. Davis nor Victor Thompson president, Tennessee Walking Horse Trainers Association was making, as of last November, any real effort to stop this cruelty. We certainly hope for passage during this Congress of S. 2543 and urge your support of it. Sincerely, MARIE DENEGRE CROSLAND. (MRS. DAVID W.) TALBOT COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, INC., Senator WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Senate Commerce Committee, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: The Board of Directors of the Talbot County Humane Society in Easton, Maryland, urges you to support the Horse Protection Act of 1969; S. 2543. Very truly yours, LEE HAZEN, Secretary, Talbot County Humane Society. August 18, 1969. HON. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR: Your efforts as author of P.L. 89-544 is deeply appreciated, however, we must continue this seemingly unending torture of animals or all our efforts in the past will be in vain. I am appealing to you to do all in your power as Chairman, of the Senate Commerce Committee to help end the deliberate and repeated torture of the so called "Tennessee Walking Horses." (Please see attached sheet) These horses can be trained by normal methods and should be done so. This can be accomplished through the legislation of Bill 2543. Thank you very much, Very truly yours, Mrs. WILLIAM A. BILLINGS, Mountain View, Calif. THE SORING OF TENNESSEE WALKING HORSES This is the most extreme and long drawn-out torture being routinely inflicted on domestic animals in our country. This pitiful, multilated feet of a Tennessee Walking Horse are shown on page 136. |