Group offers reward for tips about horse abuse

photo A frame captured from video of a Humane Society of the United States investigation show the measures taken to produce the exaggerated stride of Tennessee Walking Horses. In the video, horses are struck with clubs, shocked and have their hooves treated with chemicals and mechanical devices.

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - The Humane Society of the United States is launching a hotline and reward for people to call in tips about abuse of Tennessee walking horses and the group is advertising the hotline on a billboard outside the breed's national show in Shelbyville next week.

The Horse Protection Act prevents a form of abuse called soring, a practice of using chemicals and chains to train horses to perform high-stepping gaits for shows and competitions.

The society said in a news release they are offering a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

The group said their number and the reward are posted on a billboard installed near the venue where the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration starts on Aug. 22

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