Soring Charges Against Trainer Wheelon Dismissed

The charges against a Tennessee horse trainer were dropped, but the case could still be far from over.
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Aggravated animal cruelty charges against a Tennessee Walking Horse trainer accused of violating the Horse Protection Act (HPA) by soring horses were dropped last week, but the case could still be far from over.

Soring is the deliberate injury to a horse’s feet and legs to achieve an exaggerated high-stepping gait. On the federal level, the HPA forbids soring; the practice is also unlawful under Tennessee animal cruelty statutes.

Earlier this year, a visitor to Wheelon Stables complained about the condition of the horses there. On April 18, acting on a warrant, investigators from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with Blount County Society for the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Blount County Sheriff’s Department personnel, examined the barn and the horses inside. Authorities determined that all of the examined animals were apparently sore; the allegedly sore horses were removed to an undisclosed location for rehabilitative treatment.

Law enforcement authorities subsequently arrested Wheelon and charged him with felony animal cruelty. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him

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Written by:

Pat Raia is a veteran journalist who enjoys covering equine welfare, industry, and news. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Tennessee Walking Horse, Sonny.

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