International Walking Horse Association replaces Ky. group as authority at shows in state

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted Tuesday to make the International Walking Horse Association eligible to get money from the Kentucky Walking Horse Breeders’ Incentive Fund and enforce the federal Horse Protection Act at Kentucky horse shows. The IWHA beat out the Kentucky Walking Horse Association, which was the sole payee of the fund until the commission expressed concern about “inadequate regulation and reporting of Horse Protection Act violations, specifically the act of soring,” the application of material that causes horses to have a high-stepping gait and another group. IWHA also beat out thye anti-soring group SHOW, whose acronym stands for Sound horses, Honest judging, Objective inspections and Winning fairly. (Read more)

According to a 2008 story in the Lexington Herald-Leader, most walking-horse shows are not inspected by federal veterinarians but by paid inspectors paid by industry organizations. Janet Patton of the Herald-Leader reported recently that state Sen. Robin Webb filed legislation to take away control of some breeders' incentive funds from the commission. Webb said the commission, which regulates Thoroughbred, Standardbred and quarter horse racing, has been "heavy-handed" in dealing with the other breeds. (Read more)

For a story about the program for non-racing breeds, by University of Kentucky student Jennifer Whittle, click here.