Queen Elizabeth II was known for her love of horses, and that extended all the way to the United States.
What was less known was Her Late Majesty’s passion for protecting a special breed of horse native to Tennessee – the Tennessee Walking Horse.
Tragically, soring was used on the horses to get them to have their special trot. Soring is a practice where pain is inflicted on horses’ feet to get them to lift their feet higher as they walk in what is called the “Big Lick.” In 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture revealed a change to the Horse Protection Act that banned much of the gear used in soring. Inspectors were also forced to become trained and licensed through the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Marty Irby, who served as president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association, was asked to write about his dedication to protecting horses by a friend of his, Monty Roberts, who happened to be a confidant of the Queen. He wrote A Paradigm Shift, and this story was presented to the late monarch. According to Irby, he was told she read every word of his story and sent him a special package.
Queen Elizabeth sent him a certificate of recognition for his “extraordinary efforts to reduce violence in the training of horses.” To top it off, the Queen personally signed it.
At the time of receiving the recognition, Irby told the Tennessean: “I am deeply honoured and grateful to Her Majesty and my friend Monty Roberts for their recognition – working to help the voiceless horses we all care so deeply about has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life. I am certain that we will one day see the end of soring, doping, slaughter, and the use of whips in racing venues around the globe, and I hope that every horse lover will join me, Monty, and Queen Elizabeth, II in helping eradicate all violence and abuse from the equine world.”
After The Queen’s death, the Animal Wellness Action released a statement through their executive director Marty Irby.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. There has never been another world leader who cared more about the welfare and health of horses than the Queen, and we will all miss her dearly. Her Majesty granted me the greatest honour of my life with an Award in 2020 for my work to protect horses, and I am eternally grateful. Now is the time to recognize and pay tribute to the Queen for her tremendous work to protect the voiceless we care so deeply about. My thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family and the entire United Kingdom,” the statement read.
The Tennessee Walking Horse is bred from Standardbred, Morgan, Thoroughbred, and American Saddlebred stock; it is known for its special prance-like walk and is considered one of the smoothest riding horses in the world.
The Tennessee Walking Horse is very precious to Tennesseans and is the official state horse. Each year, at the University of Tennessee’s Homecoming football (American college football) game, the Tennessee Walking Horse prances around the 101,915 Neyland Stadium to thunderous applause.
The University of Tennessee’s Homecoming game is on 22 October this year, and now Tennesseans can remember The Queen as the Walking Horse takes its stroll around Neyland Stadium.
