The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is putting off until next month a decision on restoring funding for the Tennessee Walking Horse breed amid allegations some horses were intentionally harmed to change the way they walk.

The commission was expected to take up the matter at its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 4, but Chairman Robert Beck said he wanted more time to study it. Several breeders and owners of the horses attended the meeting and expressed their disappointment. At issue is the illegal practice of soring, which involves irritating the horse’s foreleg and hoof to force the trademark high-stepping gait of Tennessee Walking Horses. The racing panel is trying to decide whether to give financial incentives for Kentucky-bred walking horses that participate in shows.