Scrutiny for Tennessee Walking Horses

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 23 (UPI) -- A crackdown on mistreatment of Tennessee Walking Horses is under way with the formation of a new organization to regulate the breed.

The number of citations for violations of regulations tripled this year, The Nashville Tennessean reported. One of the most common is "soring," deliberately injuring the front feet to emphasize a high-stepping gait.

The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration created the new inspection agency with 30 stewards monitored by two veterinarians.

"We are doing a better job of inspecting now," said Dr. James Baum, a Shelbyville, Tenn., veterinarian and horse owner. "We've eliminated some of the inconsistent inspections so that every horse and every trainer and every owner is looked upon as the same."

Tennessee Walking Horses were originally bred for plantation owners who wanted a comfortable ride.