A federal court judge has sentenced an Alabama Tennessee Walking Horse trainer to two years probation for violating the Horse Protection Act (HPA). The HPA forbids "soring," the deliberate injury to a horses’ legs to achieve a high-stepping, so-called big lick gait.

According to a written statement from Jerry E. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, inspectors at the July 2009 Woodbury Lions Club Horse Show discovered that a horse trained by Chris Zahnd was wearing a nerve cord in its mouth. A nerve cord is a device placed along a horse’s gums to prevent the animal from flinching when inspectors examine sensitive areas in its legs and feet. During the same examination, inspectors determined that the horse was bilaterally (in both limbs) sore, Martin said.

At the time of the violation, Zahnd owned and operated Swingin’ Gate Stables in Trinity, Ala., Martin said.

During a plea hearing Zahnd pleaded guilty to the soring violations, Martin said