After the USDA documented 587 violations of the Horse Protection Act—which prohibits soring in gaited horses to achieve an exaggerated, "Big Lick" gait—at 62 horse shows in 2011, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and the USDA are joining forces to combat the practice. The organizations have also produced a video to help educate the public about soring and how to identify a sored horse.

"It's time for this … to end," says René Carlson, DVM, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). "The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors are doing everything possible to detect evidence of soring before horses are allowed to compete.

"Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, USDA inspectors are only able to attend a small number of the shows being held," said Carlson. "It is going to take a team effort to put an end to the inhumane practice of soring horses, so America's veterinarians stand in support of government regulators and the walking horse industry in their horse protection efforts