Big Lick

Big Lick Big Lick is a controversial performance practice associated with certain show presentations of the Tennessee Walking Horse, involving exaggerated movement produced by specialized trimming, shoeing, and training. Practiced in regional shows and national competitions, it has drawn attention from animal advocacy groups, legislators, veterinarians, and media organizations. Its prominence intersects with cultural traditions, legal frameworks, veterinary standards, and popular culture debates.

Etymology and Terminology

The term traces through Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, National Walking Horse Association, United States Department of Agriculture, American Veterinary Medical Association, Humane Society of the United States, and regional newspapers like the Knoxville News Sentinel, reflecting contested nomenclature across industry groups and advocacy organizations. Technical vocabulary appears in publications by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, veterinary texts associated with University of Tennessee, Texas A&M University, University of California, Davis, and state agricultural agencies. Exhibitor communities, including members of the Walking Horse Trainers' Association and judges affiliated with the American Saddlebred Horse Association, use terms that differ from critics such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Animal Welfare Institute, and legal advocates associated with the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the ASPCA.

History and Origins

Origins are discussed in histories of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, early 20th-century agricultural fairs like the St. Louis World's Fair and the New York World’s Fair, and breeding programs connecting to farms in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Virginia. Practitioners cite developments contemporaneous with breeders and trainers linked to names appearing in show records resembling those of the National Horse Show, the American Royal, and county fairs organized by 4-H and Future Farmers of America. Regulatory responses emerged when media outlets such as The New York Times, Washington Post, and broadcasters like NBC News and 60 Minutes covered alleged practices, prompting congressional hearings in committees of the United States Congress and investigations by the United States Department of Agriculture and state agriculture departments. Legislative measures and rule changes were influenced by litigation involving the United States District Court and advocacy from groups like the Humane Society Legislative Fund.

Description and Technique

Descriptions involve trimming and shoeing methods noted in training manuals referenced by instructors at institutions such as Auburn University, University of Kentucky, and Clemson University, and debated in journals like the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Techniques described by trainers at events like the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration and clinics hosted by the National Walking Horse Association include specific shoeing and hoof care practices, while veterinarians from Cornell University and Ohio State University discuss biomechanics and pathology. Enforcement agencies including the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and state veterinary boards have documented lesions, scars, and gait abnormalities examined in studies authored by researchers affiliated with Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins University. Industry guidelines from associations such as the American Farrier's Association and the United States Pony Clubs contrast sharply with positions taken by animal welfare organizations like the RSPCA and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Controversy and Criticism

Criticism has been advanced by veterinary associations including the American Veterinary Medical Association and advocacy groups such as the Humane Society of the United States, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and activists who have campaigned at venues covered by CNN, BBC, and Reuters. Legal and regulatory efforts involved the U.S. Congress, United States Department of Agriculture, state legislatures including Tennessee General Assembly, and court cases in federal courts. Investigative reports by outlets like The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today spurred enforcement actions and legislative proposals debated alongside testimony from experts affiliated with North Carolina State University, University of Georgia, and Michigan State University. International perspectives came from organizations such as the World Organisation for Animal Health and national animal protection societies in Canada and United Kingdom.

Cultural Impact and Representation

Representation appears in documentaries and features produced by PBS, BBC Two, HBO, and independent filmmakers showcased at festivals like the Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival. Cultural discourse involves stakeholders from rural communities, county fairs tied to National FFA Organization, and equestrian societies including the United States Equestrian Federation and American Horse Council. Coverage and commentary by newspapers such as the Nashville Tennessean and magazines like The Atlantic and Smithsonian reflect debates connecting tradition, sport, and animal welfare, while legislative and advocacy histories are recorded in archives at institutions like the Library of Congress and National Archives and Records Administration. The conversation overlaps with other equestrian controversies historically reported in contexts involving the Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games, and major breed registries like the American Quarter Horse Association.

Category:Equestrian controversies