May 18, 2013
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Humane Society of the United States is releasing video of the abuse of Tennessee walking horses that led to a federal indictment charging four people with violation of the federal Horse Protection Act.
The video released Thursday in Nashville was taken in 2011 at the farm of a prominent trainer, Jackie McConnell in Collierville, and shows individuals soring horses at his stables. Soring is a banned practice of using chemicals and chains to train the horses to perform a high-stepping gait for shows and competitions.
McConnell has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Horse Protection Act, according to court records. His attorneys did not immediately return calls for comment.
