Tennessee Walking Horses Part 2

Thank you, Pepsi for pulling your sponsorship. I logged in online this morning and the first thing I saw was this link: http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/pepsi-pulls-sponsorship-of-horse-show-after-controversial-footage-airs.html

http://cr.pepsi.com/usen/pepsiusen.cfm?date=20120518             

YEA for Pepsi - I've never been a Pepsi drinker, but I will now. There are many other sponsors that should think about doing the same – Cracker Barrel did in 2002, what about Ford…  

If by chance you haven't read Part 1 of my TWH, you can read the April blog.  It's troubling to hear how Tennessee Walking Horses are being abused and how people are getting away with it even though the cruel and deliberate infliction of soring horses has been illegal since the passing of the federal Horse Protection Act (HPA) of 1976. Yet, the practice is still widespread. Soring is the use of caustic chemicals and/or mechanical devices on a horse’s front hooves to cause pain if the horse puts his feet down. This painful act creates the exaggerated, high step gait that is performed in an event for judging.  Did you happen to see ABC Nightline on May 17, 2012, if not, watch this video: 

http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/torture-of-tennessee-walking-horses-29324890.html%20#crsl=%252Fvideo%252Fus-15749625%252Ftorture-of-tennessee-walking-horses-29324890.html

HSUS - http://www.humanesociety.org/forms/contact_us/contact_equine_protection.html

Here’s another site from people who love horses:  http://www.hphoofcare.com/lick.html

These criminals are horse trainers, owners, and I dare include judges.  Why do I include judges? In my opinion, they have to know that a horse is being abused when he limps and stumbles during the events they’re judging – how could you not see a horse in pain? Bottom line, when champions can win millions of dollars, abuse will happen – in any event.

After you check out the links above, please forward it to everyone that you know so that more people are aware of what is going on in many places like Shelbyville, Tennessee, the so called  “Walking Horse Capital of the World”, not only there, but even other states, like Kentucky.  

To be fair, not all TWH owners and trainers are abusive. There are a few groups that have joined together to promote healthy sound horses and want to stop this horrific abuse: NWHA (National Championship Horse); FOSH (Friends of the Sound Horse); and of course, HSUS (Humane Society of the United States). You can support the sound horse movement too and even contact the Shelbyville, Tennessee Mayor, and speak out against this abuse. Mayor Wallace Cartwright,
Wallace.Cartwright@shelbyvilletn.org

Let’s speak out for animals that don’t have voices.

If we don’t, who will?

Tennessee Walking Horse

I love to research. But, it’s so easy to get caught
up into the research that you forget to write your story. Has that happened to
you? Well, it just happened to me, again.

Finally started working on book two of my Yellow Creek novels, Night Thunder. I had a blurb and a short synopsis from last year in my file. So, when I started writing, my characters, out of the blue, popped up with something new that required some research.

My main character owns a Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH). Even though I’m originally from Tennessee and from the area when the Tennessee Walking Horse originated, I’m not familiar with their history or the details of training a TWH, hence, the research.

To me, horses are majestic looking animals. Many have viewed videos or seen
pictures of the high stepping Tennessee Walking horse performing to show off
that beautiful walk. Who wouldn’t want to watch a horse perform with such
precision and grace? Here’s a little history of the TWH.

In central Tennessee, around the later 1800s, the Tennessee Walking Horse became America’s original horse. By 1947 the Department of Agriculture recognized the TWH as its own breed. The Tennessee Walker is a mixture of 6 breeds: Narragansett Pacer, the Canadian Pacer, Thoroughbred, Standardbred, Morgan, and American Saddlebred.
Many believe that General Robert E. Lee’s horse, Traveler, was the first Tennessee
Walker. Shortly after the Civil War, people started producing the horse with
the smooth-gait. Their unique walk led to competing events and shows that drew
a large audience which is carried through to this day. Every year at the Miller
Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, thousands of people attend the Tennessee
Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association Show (TWHBEA) and in July the
Walking Horse Owners Association International Grand Championship Show.

The most known characteristic of the TWH is their smooth gait, which is a walk that replaced the bouncy trot that other horses have when you ride. This breed didn’t jostle his rider causing sores from riding all day, so the southern plantation owners
used the TWH as a utility horse to oversee their land. The horse’s smooth gait,
stamina, endurance, and speed made the Tennessee Walking Horse the most
desirable horse in the south. This horse also proved to be calm, gentle, and an
even tempered horse that even children could ride.

There are three distinct gaits: flat walk, running walk, and canter. The flat walk is a long stride where the horse’s four feet touch the ground separately. The horse can do up to 8 miles per hour with his flat walk.

Their running walk is an inherited uniqueness to the breed. The horse appears to glide with the smooth gait. The speed can be up to 20 miles per hours.

The canter is the fastest gait, but unlike the canter of other horses, the TWH seems to be more relaxed and at ease at this speed.

When I watched the movie War Horse, I felt the betrayal that we humans showed to that powerful, marvelous animal. It was a disturbing movie for me, especially the ‘No Man’s Land’ scene, and yet, that brave horse brought hope to humanity with a connection of mutual aid, if only for a moment. Yet we humans have betrayed that loyalty in ways that you can’t imagine.

Like many of you, my sister-in-law is a horse lover, practically born on a horse. She
understands their loyalty that they show toward humans. I married a cowboy
(city slicker now) that loves horses and knows how powerful and strong they are,
and yet, how vulnerable they are when it comes to humans. To me, horses are one
of the most magnificent creatures on the planet.

What we, as a society, have allowed the owners and trainers (not all of them) of the
TWH’s to do is disturbing and inhumane. During my research, I discovered what
really goes on in the Tennessee Walker Horses’ world and it isn’t pretty.
Next month I will enlighten you on the facts that I learned while researching the
Tennessee Walking Horses’ suffering, cruelty, and agony. Animals in our society are once again enduring yet another event that revolves around money, regardless of the sacrifices made. I supposed that’s why my character in my Yellow Creek novel wanted me to write this story, Night Thunder, coming in July.

Here's a few pictures of my sister's horses. They are beautiful.

Movies

Don’t ask me why, but I’ve had the hardest time figuring
out what to write for my March blog. I know there’s lots of stuff, such as St. Patty’s Day (17th), Spring Equinox, (20th) (in Utah? Right?), Pocahontas’ Death Anniversary (21st), National Puppy Day (23rd), Salem Witch Hysteria (1st), Dr. Seuss’ Birthday(2nd), World Book Day (3rd),even Davy Jones’ passing(7th - my favorite Monkey), and that’s just a few. But, I decided to tell you about an article I wrote on Canyonland Press.

I love reading fiction. I read many genres, and sometimes self-help books. We all need to read a self-help book once in a while, but there’s many more books that can help you escape, not only books, but movies. I love going to movies. Fiction writers have to love going to movies, even if you’re not a writer, but enjoy escaping, movies are the best. What have I seen lately?

Well, last week my hubby and I went to see John Carter. Now, you have to be a sci-fi person to enjoy this movie…and, I am. I love Star Wars; so naturally, I knew I would thoroughly enjoy John Carter. Did you ever read, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter books, if so, you know where sci-fi came from 100 years ago.

What am I looking forward to? Hunger Games (have you read those books?) What I’ve seen in the last couple of months is Ghost Rider, Safe House, and Star Wars: Episode 1 in 3D- loved it, and This Means War, which was a fun movie to watch.

I’m not only a movie junky, but a TV junky as well. Right now I’m into Merlin, don’t you just love Collin Morgan as Merlin, he’s perfect and Bradley James is a great king. I think it’s great that Guinevere, Angel Coulby, is an African American. And, what can we say about Katie McGrath as Morgana, she starts out as a beautiful woman and gradually she becomes evil. What a great cast.

By the way, I do like other stuff – Castle is one of my favorites (you think because it stars Nathan Fillion from the space western movie, Serenity…hmm, maybe), and of course NCIS – who could miss out on Mark Harmon? Plus, I’m intrigue with The River – it weird stuff.

What’s your favorite book, movie, or both?

I'd love to hear from you.
Oops, I forgot I was going to tell you about my article, oh well, here it is, http://www.canyonlandpress.com

One Dog Lover to Another

When you hear that word, ‘love’ everywhere, you know its the V-Day month. Yes, Valentine brings out the romance in many men. I’m lucky, my best friend is also my husband. He's always romantic on Valentine's. If by chance I didn’t have my husband, whom I love and would miss deeply, I would certainly have a dog, which by the way, I do.

I love dogs. In my book, Secret Past, A Yellow Creek Novel, (http://anna_sugg.coffeecup.com/YellowCreekNovels.html ) my main character has a Dalmatian. He’s her buddy and goes everywhere with her and when is shot, she is devastated. Secret Past is an ebook under my alter-ego, Anna Sugg on Amazon.

I think we should learn from our dogs. Here are some tips that I’m sure you’ve read before since it’s been circulating the e-mail community forever:
· Run and greet your love one the minute he/she walks through the door
· Experience a joyride with the fresh air and wind in your face
· Respect others, but let others know if they invade your space

· Take naps, stretch when waking
· Play every day
· Let people touch you, hugs, pats on the head, etc, are wonderful
· Don’t bite, a simple growl can get the point across
· On a warm sunny day, lie on the grass and daydream
· Drink lots of water on a hot day and nap under a shady tree
· Show happiness, do a happy dance and wag your body
· If you’re chew out about something, don’t pout, figure it out and make friends
· Take you best buddy on long walks
· Don’t over eat, but eat with eagerness
· Dig deep for what you want and find it
· If your love one is having a bad day, nuzzle him gently
· Above all, be loyal, don’t be something you’re not

Take heart and learn to practice what your dog can teach you, and just maybe, your life will shine with love all around.

I will close with an anonymous quote: “The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.”

Want to see my dog go to http://anna_sugg.coffeecup.com/About.html to see a picture. He has given us so much love and has been a wonderful teacher.

If you are a dog lover, I would like to hear from you and your dog.

eMagazine

Take a look at the new eMagazine for readers.

Enter to win a KINDLE

http://www.canyonlandpress.com

Hidden Sheet

Now, we’re officially into the New Year. I did remember to write down my Resolutions. Did
you?

At the beginning of each New Year, I write a list of 5 things that I want to accomplish by the
end of that year. These 5 items are my personal ‘wants,’ no one else’s. I think
about my list long and hard before writing those words. Sometimes, I write the
list on an old napkin, tattered sheet of paper, a post-it, or whatever’s
available at the time I remember to think about what I want to list– yes, I
write it – not type.

Afterward, I hid it in my desk drawer where I won’t forget at yearend, but it’s out of sight, so
that I will not think about throughout the year. And, I really do forget about it. You know
that old saying ‘out of sight, out of mind” really works. Anyway, as you know, the New Year starts with a bang and when you blink, it’s time to be thinking of a new list.

Once people start to mention Resolutions, even if it’s on television, my brain clicks and I
remember to check my list. Hmm, by that time I can’t even remember what wrote.

I’ve been doing this for several years, and it totally blows me away at how much I actually
accomplished on my list. Remember, it’s a short list, but it’s mine and only
mine. Someone once said (I have no idea who, but it’s been said I’m sure by
many and I know you’ve heard it) that it’s a subconscious thing. When we made a
list that’s important to us, our brain remembers and we subconsciously work toward
accomplishing that goal.

Try it.

2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here's a toast to you and yours on my wed sites:

Judy Baker ; Anna Sugg