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Main Power, crowned 2005 World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse, at the 67th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. Photographer Unknown.

SORING is the process of putting acidic products and irritating chemicals on a horse’s legs that cause pain so the horse will lift his legs higher for more action.

It also includes pressure shoeing, which contains methods of causing pain to the bottom of the horse's feet through mechanical means, again so the horse will lift his legs higher.

It is commonly found in the world of the Tennessee Walking Horse, and we see it most prominently with the Performance horses, or “Big Lick” horses (seen above).

SORING, by definition from the Horse Protection Act (HPA), passed by Congress in 1976, is:

“(A) an irritating or blistering agent has been applied, internally or externally, by a person to any limb of a horse,

“(B) any burn, cut, or laceration has been inflicted by a person on any limb of a horse, 

“(C) any tack, nail, screw, or chemical agent has been injected by a person into or used by a person on any limb of a horse, or 

“(D) any other substance or device has been used by a person on any limb of a horse or a person has engaged in a practice involving a horse, and, as a result of such application, infliction, injection, use, or practice, such horse suffers, or can reasonably be expected to suffer, physical pain or distress, inflammation, or lameness when walking, trotting, or otherwise moving, except that such term does not include such an application, infliction, injection, use, or practice in connection with the therapeutic treatment of a horse by or under the supervision of a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State in which such treatment was given.”

World Grand Champion walking horse "Watch it Now" ridden by trainer Jimmy McConnell, from Shelbyville, Tenn., makes its way around Neyland Stadium.  Tennessee vs. Memphis Game, 2009. Image by Michael Patrick.