US House passes bill expanding horse soring rules, enforcement; Tennessee Rep. Cohen applauds vote

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., accompanied by Rep. Kurt Schrader D-OR., speaks during a news conference, ahead of a House vote on a bill that would prevent Soring in training Tennessee Walking horses on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., accompanied by Rep. Kurt Schrader D-OR., speaks during a news conference, ahead of a House vote on a bill that would prevent Soring in training Tennessee Walking horses on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

By Elizabeth Fite July 25, 2019 4 min read

The U.S. House on Thursday approved a bill proponents say will better protect Tennessee walking horses and related breeds from the cruel practice of soring, when humans intentionally inflict pain on the animals to force an exaggerated step known as the “big lick.”

Although soring was outlawed in 1970, loopholes in the current law allow the practice to persist. Some judges continue rewarding the “big lick” in competitions, particularly in areas of Tennessee and Kentucky.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said the practice is “beyond reprehensible” and applauded Thursday’s vote.

“How we treat animals is a reflection of our national character,” he said in a statement.

How they voted

Tennessee YEASTim Burchett (R)Jim Cooper (D)Steve Cohen (D)Tennessee NAYSDavid “Phil” Roe (R)Charles “Chuck” Fleischmann (R)Scott DesJarlais (R)John Rose (R)Mark Green (R)David Kustoff (R)