SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® announced a plan last week that included measures in five different areas that are designed to improve the health and safety of the animals on site, integrity of the event, and enforcement of the Horse Protection Act.

In the plan, released August 9th, the following was said in regards to Inspection Security – The Celebration® will implement an overall security plan for the inspection area that will include identification credentials for trainers, grooms and amateur exhibitors. Only horses that are eligible and scheduled to compete will be allowed into the inspection area. As part of this plan, third-party veterinarians providing inspection opinions will be prohibited from the area. In order to protect owners and exhibitors, a secure area outside inspection will be made available for this purpose.

What this does not say is that veterinarians treating a horse are welcomed to be in the warm-up area for that treatment. It is the actual inspection area, per se, that will be off-limits to those vets providing a third-party inspection opinion.

“It is our goal to make the inspection and warm-up areas a less stressful and calmer area,” said Celebration CEO Ron Thomas. “With the area being more secure, there should be less foot traffic and a better overall environment.”