The Veterinary Advisory Committee (VAC) has announced several rule changes for the 2014 Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) National Celebration, which takes place annually and is the premier event for the breed industry.

The new rules require all horses participating in championship events to be stabled on Celebration grounds 48 hours before the championship exhibitions take place. New rules also mandate that any digital X rays and blood samples taken are collected on site and under the supervision of VAC-appointed licensed equine veterinarians. Finally, the new rules require that registration papers, as well as a current health certificate and proof of negative Coggins testing, be presented before any horse is admitted to the Celebration grounds.

In a written statement, VAC Chairman Jerry Johnson, DVM, said the new rules are intended to protect the horses participating the Celebration: “Our primary mission is to protect the horse and set a gold standard which hopefully will be embraced and utilized by the industry for the future.”

However, Teresa Bippen, president of Friends of Sound Horses, does not believe the new regulations will have much impact on Walking Horse welfare