Lewisburg, TN – The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) fully supports new legislation pending in Washington, DC to institute objective, science-based inspections and reform the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R, TN) is championing the walking horse breed in the House of Representatives along with all Tennessee republican congressmen. Yesterday, four senators from the states most affected by Tennessee Walking Horses, Senators Lamar Alexander (R, TN), Johnny Isakson (R, GA), Mitch McConnell (R, KY), and Rand Paul (R, KY) introduced a bill in the Senate complementary to Congressman Blackburn’s bill.

“As the oldest, largest, and most influential walking horse association, we applaud Senators Alexander, Isakson, McConnell, and Paul for their efforts to eliminate the last remnants of soring through objective, scientific-based, and veterinarian approved inspections,” said TWHBEA executive director Tracy Boyd.

TWHBEA, headquartered in Lewisburg, Tennessee, is the oldest and most prestigious organization devoted to the promotion of the breed. Founded in 1935, the breed registry was established to record the pedigrees of the Tennessee Walking Horse. Its goal is to maintain the purity of the breed, to promote greater awareness of the Tennessee Walking Horse and its qualities, to encourage expansion of the breed, and to help assure its general welfare.

TWHBEA is hopeful that this legislation will be received positively in the House of Representatives and the Senate and gains widespread acceptance and passage. In the meantime, TWHBEA will help to incorporate the basic tenants of the legislation in the current self-regulatory environment.