He should have been sentenced to jail just like Michael Vick. That he tortured horses for decades is absolutely unthinkable.

Dane told The Chattanoogan that McConnell "has shown no remorse. For decades his income was based on the torture of horses."

I read the article which I clearly understood and posted the above. However, after reading other posts, I went back and watched the video to my absolute horror. It left me in tears. I wish every spectator to this torturous sport could view this video. It is my hope that this Walking Horse "Sport" dies a death itself. I am spreading this video as far and wide as I can.

Humans are truly animals at their worst.

If the Horse Walking industry should remain then there should be air-tight regulations against this abuse and prison sentences even for the first offense.

This makes me want to vomit. I'd like to paint that caustic chemical on the penises of all the men in that video. I wonder how high they would step!

Here is something we can all do and it doesn't cost a thing. Spread this to everyone to apply pressure to end this horrible practice:

https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5725&s_src=web_horses_hpbb1091312

Chickens**t SOB. Should be in jail. Harley, get in line.

This guy and who ever else does this should be shot.....Let me get this SOB in a room...just him and me.....This SOB would never touch another horse if it was up to me......Jack A@sss...you make me sick

This guy isn't a man, he is a vicious, mean and evil monster! I'd like you use that wooden stick and chemicals on him. Give him a taste of what those horses went through! Sick B-stard!

Tell me where this man is and gauranteed he wouldn't hurt another horse again he would be poured with acid with no mercy and cattle probed on his private area till he couldn't stay concious...this is the treatment that someone needs then it would be neccesary for them to understand the consiquences of not getting jail time thats what we need to do to these people they are not human there evil devils that just like to torure things let them be tortured as well...cut off his testicles and then pour battery acid on them and let him suffer....any takers?

They should take the people also invoved for not reporting this and the comment about his wqages for training this way who would pay for there expensive horse to be mamed? Like they would know about this as I said treat him like he treated those horses he deserves NO LESS! Do onto others and let him feel what it felt like those horse and dont let him sit down keep probing him over and over again......

I don't understand why he & the others didn't get prison time for the mistreatment of those horses & Micheal Vick was put in Prison for the mistreatment of dogs. Who knows how many horses these men put thru all that pain & suffering. They need to suffer & never be allowed to be allowed to be around horses again.

Deserved Prison Time for decades of abusing these beautiful, defenseless horses.

Time for good ole justice - group of men getting together and picking up all of these men involved, the horse owner's, other trainers, etc. who all knew what was going on.

Blindfolding and Hog Tying them and taking them out in the deep woods where no one can hear their screams and smear this stuff on their balls and penis, wrapping it all in plastic, putting a jock strap on them and wrapping it all up in a package like sumo wrestler pants - mawashi. Then tying them - back first up against a big tree with ropes around their upper chest, waist, knees and ankles where they cannot move.

Let a couple of volunteers stay there, watching them for a couple of weeks to make sure they get minimum food and water, just to keep them alive. AND SEE HOW THEY LIKE THE PAIN AND SUFFERING.

Then Castrate them before cutting ropes and setting them free to get out on their own.

Now-a-days it would be best to go deep into a cave because of heat seeking equipment used by law enforcement up in helicopters doing searches.

Back when I was a child, I remember hearing the neighbor men talk about the Wife Beaters and Rapists and men who castrated dogs and sheep, pigs, and other farm animals to eat their balls - that were grabbed, taken out and castrated and left to fend for themselves. Of course the men left the area on their own and I wondered why I never saw them around. I use to sneak out to the barn and hide in the hay mow and wait till the men came out there to play cards and tell dirty jokes and their fishing and hunting stories and plan their next hunting trips, which I soon found out included taking guys like this with them. Police Chief and Sheriffs were involved so nothing was done about it and no one talked about it or why the men left the area all at once. When people asked, they were told the men went to the city to get jobs and live and send money back to their families, etc.

The few that died from blood loss was declared dead from a hunting accident. This was all acceptable justice back then and should be now.

This type of Justice is especially needed against crimes like this and all animal cruelty cases. Believe me, the word would get out real quick and stop this practice of abusing horses and other animals.

These millionaires and billionaires do not care about being fined because they can afford it.

NO REAL MEN LEFT AROUND COLLIERVILLE, TN. or these men would have been taken care of before any trial.

let's wrap his ass in the chemical and zap him with cattle prod and see how high he can jump. he could prob make humane society a good bit of money for the show lol

lets shove the cattle prod up his ass that was dipped in acid THEN beat the living crap out of him. Shock that SOB til he passes out with pain and then beat him to get up again. I hope he is in the witness protection program now because there are a LOT of folks w a death wish for him and everybody else that does this to horses including ME. This dude needs to die slow and painfully

Kim, I agree!I've owned a statuesque Tennessee Walker for years. One very tall chestnut chestnut named Mimi Red Fury, who is absolutely the most gentlest horse I have ever known.And my family has been around horses for decades. These horses, above any others, will do anything to please their owners. They're wonderful animals for therapy camps, which is why I bought mine. I'm still crying and angry from watching that video.How can people do this to such animals, just for a ribbon to say they have "won" something and pride?

Obviously, this man is a depraved sadistic sick individual without an ounce of redeeming value. Who has proved himself incapable of having any morals or compassion. He needs to be locked away from any contact, not only from any animals, but anyone he could potentially harm, For those who would be cruel to animals, also prove to have no reservations about harming people in the end. Torturing anything is the sickest form of cruelty, deserving the harshest sentences, next to sexual offences against the innocent. Too bad the decency of law prevents us from issuing out the same punishment he has inflicted upon his victims.But I have no doubt, one day he will suffer for what he has done, and everyone else who causes the innocent in life to suffer.

I am finally relieved that some karma caught up with the A-hole that helped in abusing these glorious horses. I couldn't even watch the DateLine program that featured this and other horrific abuses based just on the show's previews. I went straight to Facebook and with tears poring down my cheeks, asked anyone if they had watched the show and if there was anything being done to stop anymore of the abuse. I told my Aunt about it and it was her learned she had watched DateLine. I had never heard of soreing until she told me about what they were doing in addition to other atrocities! Animals need our protection....We are their ONLY voice!

Fined, just fined. He needs to go to jail and every morning put the caustic chemical on his ankles and make him walk around the yard for two hours. What a low life scumbag. Anyone who abuses animals is just a killer in waiting.

My heart aches and my gut wrenches watching these beautiful gentle creatures being so abused and confused as to WHY. I'm so sad to have seen this video but want to put it out there for the world to see. I never knew any of this went on and glad that I do now. You are right Drama Queen, we are their only voice. McConnell got off light but karma is just beginning for this sick demented subhuman. He needs to be locked up and this is one of those cases that "eye for an eye" would be totally acceptable. I'm so so sad to have seen these gorgeous animals abused on the video. Thanks to the undercover person and Humane Society, for exposing these immoral bottom feeders. That in itself would have been a difficult job. McConnell will get his at the end.

Maybe the Humane Society should set up a table outside these shows and display this video for all to see...over and over and over again! My daughter has a show horse (jumper) and would never allow anyone to use any abusive training methods on him or any of her other horses she has owned. Glad these people put an end to this!

Pat Larkin: Do you really believe anyone "put an end to this"? These lowlifes got probation and/or fines... It's like a judge ordering a pet hoarder being ordered to never own pets again.... DISGUSTING

He is so not worth the trouble of even finding him. I would love to stand him behind one of the horses he abused and let them give him a good kick in the face.

I wish someone would go find him and break both his legs.

He and michael vick both; if someone put them both in a wheelchair for life I'd stand up and cheer.

I think he needs to have the same thing done to him. i wonder how many people we could get to use a stick on him and put burning things on his feet. This has to stop there are to many animal being abused.I grew up with horses they are very gentle. Put these people away for Life never to abuse again . this makes me sick.

NevadaJ-577866 @ #5.2

I don't condone what Micheal Vick did, but how could he go to jail and not this man who has been torturing for DECADES? This man was so smug it was sickening.

No...just paint his balls with it!

I totally agree - it states that this is in federal court so the "rules" should apply, regardless of which state this is in. So! Why did Michael Vick do time, pay some pretty interesting fines and be on probation while this guy is fined? The precedent certainly was set. Rhetorical question I guess. He should also be banned from owning any horses for the rest of his miserable life, which would include family, friends and former colleagues not having the privilege either.

I agree. Arrest Honey Boo Boo's mother immediately.

I hope the industry DIES. Don't blame this chit on the government.

Your trainer did it? You owned the horse and let it happen? So what exactly makes you any better than Jackie McConnell? Your horse...your responsibility.....a trainer can't do anything you don't allow. You pay the bill, you make the final decision...whether its by saying yes...or just doing nothing to stop it. "I fought them: it did no good." By your very admission you show you KNEW it was happening. Trying to rationalize that it was not your responsibility does not change the fact that you allowed it. Oh, and for the record, I actually show Walking horses, no pads..no chemicals..just a nice, natural gait....and I've been around TWH people for decades....and "everyone" does NOT do it..... Most of us consider what happens in the "big leagues" disgusting, cruel, and unconcienable.. and we have been working to end it for decades...we certainly didn't sit around and let some monster torture our horses while we did nothing to stop it.

DrRiverSong #10.2

I so agree with your post. What can the public do to help? Truly, I'm interested. I would like to hear your thoughts since you say you and others have been working at it so very long.

I fought them; it did no good.

You mean you didn't FIND ANOTHER TRAINER?!?! Then you're an accomplice, nothing more, nothing less.

JerseyGirl1947, I agree with everything you said. I would add however, that our government would do, and is doing anything to animals to please the very wealthy, that control oil, flesh industry, hunting industry and others. The United States Fish and Game Department is one big organization that ensures hunters will always have animals to kill, by killing other animals or artificially increasing "game" animals so they can be murdered for fun. Also, look how the Interior Dept under Obama has decimated the Wild Horses and Burros, that were given land in 1971 to ensure they would always have a safe place to roam. That law has been thrown out the window under Obama's main henchman Ken Salazar (Sec. of the Dept. of the Interior), who by all accounts is in a job that makes his every decision a conflict of interest for the very animals he swore to protect. He is a cattleman, hunter and invested in natural resources. A corrupt politician who always favors his and his buddies interests, animals be damned! Please look him up and his WH&B program. Please try to get more info than just what the government puts out. They are just putting out propaganda that is entirely untrue, illegal, and a disgrace! -Paul Hester

Who's to say your critters are happy being in a pen of any kind? It appears you enslave them too. Maybe you should ask them..lol.

I bet your fighting bulls are "happy" too, huh?

Apolitical4u..... This is not in defense of Jackie Mcconnell.....this is purely in response to the ignorance in your comment. You don't know any working class people that have "walking horses"? What nonsense...the Tennessee Walking Horse is owned by people of all walks of life.... they are wonderful trail horses, childrens horses, and therapy horses. Also, don't turn this into a political story....its not about the 1%....again, you don't have to be wealthy to do what this man did...nor to show at big shows..... Perhaps you should not be so quick to grab stories for your political agenda...and maybe have a clue about what you are talking about before you comment on things. You do a great disservice to the true subject of this story, which is the horses who were harmed.

DrRiverSong, I totally disagree with your statement. Just to own horses, the care, food and shelter of any respectable kind, costs a lot of money. You actually think the poor and middle class can afford these expensive horses to begin with, the training and thus torture of the animals, feed, medical, stable fees. What do you consider all walks of life, sir? I agree that there are many more than the 1% that can afford this but it is still a exploitative activity that only people of a certain amount of wealth can afford. -Paul Hester

I own 4 horses and ride with many "working class people" who own and ride TWH. As we get older and still wish to ride, a gaited horse is much easier on the trail. I have Paso Fino horses and would never allow them to be treated with cruelty. I had 2 of them with a proessional trainer once. I went on weekends to his place to see their progress. One Sunday he brought out one of mine to show me "what a lazy horse" he was. He tied his head to a pole set in a sand pit with a short rope that could slip around the pole. He then got on my horse and tried to make the horse walk sideways around the pole so the horse was circling with his rear end around the pole while his head wat tied to it. I had never seen that before and could see no purpose in it. Suddenly my horse just froze in fear, you could see how terrified he was. The trainer then got a riding crop and proceeded to start beating my horse to make him move but the horse was still frozen in fear. On Monday both my horses were back in my pasture never to be subjected to that again. A short time later I sent him to a friend of mine who trains for trail but is not a "pro". Within a month that horse could be safely taken out trail riding. She trained with kindness not force and cruelty and it works.

Are you telling me Michael Vick is a Republican too? I doubt that!

Its funny you mention Michael Vick Hick Girl because his sentence was much harsher for animal abuse then this old ass white hick in my town and that would be because why? You see,I'm much smarter then you are.

Don't know about Vick's political affiliation, but he's black. McConnell is white. They're both rich, but I guess race trumps wealth when it comes to justice.

I wonder if the law puts different weight on the crimes like they do when people are the victims. For instance if I put an irritant on an enemy I would be charged with assault and battery but if I forced 2 enemies to fight to the death and made them use rape stands and the like I would be charged with a more severe crime such as murder or slavery or what have you.

Dewayne,

If you stopped your ignorance for 2 seconds, you would see that the bill to end this cruelty was put up by a republican and democrat. Both sides seem to disagree about everything except when it comes to cruelty to animals and children. Both, rightfully so, know these things are just plain wrong.

The video is beyond mere words. To hear the horses crying out in pain and struggling to get up was heart wrenching. I may be a soft hearted girly-girl, but I hope there is a special hell somewhere for these folks, man or woman.

How can these people just be fined and get probation? That doesn't send a strong message not to do this.

If you've ever heard an animal crying out in pain....it is heartbreaking. And to see those poor horses valiantly attempting to get back upon their feet only to be beaten down again makes me wanna do something I'll probably go to prison for. Wherever I go and I witness an animal being mistreateted/mishandled...I'm the girl with the pink hair and BIG mouth! I will step in and stop that individual from further harming an innocent animal. Sounds mean, but I honestly prefer animals over humans. JerseyGirl...you sound like me...an animal lover with a heart of gold:)

This guy needs a major dose of Jersey Justice, by Vinny and a few of his bigger friends. This guy makes my blood boil!

Probably plenty. The problem is, rich people own "made" horses as an ego trip. They leave the horses to the trainers and stableowners and hands to take care of and train. They want to dress up and look good and win in the ring without doing the work, and the pressure is on the trainers to make the horses perform. Ethical trainers care more about the horses, and so are more willing to spend the time needed to teach the horse what they want from it. They might even tell an owner that a particular horse isn't going to be a good performer in a particular area. Some individual horses just don't have the natural temperament or ability to do certain things. However, unethical trainers don't give a crap about the horses, and want to please their wealthy employers, so they take any shortcut that gets results, no matter how cruel or difficult for the individual horse. They are the last to disappoint an owner by admitting they can't get a horse to perform by normal training methods.

Good ol' Jackie will probably still be around horses until the day he drops. Parasites like him have been living off the suffering of those horses their whole lives, and don't usually know any other way to live besides exploiting the animals. I hope he rots in Hell.

Pattie..... Tennessee Walking horses are a breed.....Look it up.....they are family horses prized for their gentle demeanor and easygoing personality..... You are judging the breed by the behaviour of cruel human beings....you are doing a great injustice to the walking horses with your ignorance...I don't say that to be mean.....just the truth......

The horses have a natural, smooth gait that is a pleasure to ride on trails and in shows where the "big lick" has NO place.....the exaggerated gait does NOT define the Walking Horse.... The people who actually know and own these wonderful horses have been fighting for decades to end this cruelty...... Take a few minutes and get some accurate information....

DrRiverSong -

I appreciate your post. I knew nothing of Walking Horses. To see this video and know that the person(s) responsible did not even get jail time is horrendous. How can "people" fight for decades and have nothing accomplished? I'm sorry, but that is a bit of a cop-out.

If the people that love and appreciate these Walking Horses wanted something to be done, there probably have been many avenues through the "decades." Money does talk however. Such a tragedy for horses known for their gentle demeanor and easygoing personality, as you say.

DrRiverSong: I meant no insult to the breed. I adore horses and would never hurt any animal. My clumsey words were written "BC" (before coffee). I meant this "industry," as other posters have referred to it. I meant the sort of "shows," contests, and other events in which humans, owners and trainers alike, make money off the gait produced by torturing these animals. Is this "industry" really necessary? These shows should be outlawed and industry stables should be closed down for good.Let these owners and trainers find a legitimate way to make a buck.

JerseyGirl,

There are people who do fight for decades to try and get things done. Overcoming certain traditions is met with incredible resistance and sometimes takes decades to accomplish. Civil rights struggle ring a bell? I don't believe for a minute that the Dr is trying to cop-out.

JerseyGirl,

Quote: "How can "people fight for decades and have nothing accomplished?" If the people that love and appreciate these Walking Horses wanted something to be done, there probably have been many avenues through the "decades". Really? You truly believe that no humans have tried for a very long time to end this horrible abuse of gentle horses? Horses of all different breeds have been with mankind for thousands, nay, millions of years. They have been our companions, working side-by-side, and giving all of their beauty and intellegence to us willingly through time. There are those folks who would say that riding a horse is not a natural thing for mankind. Please don't say that to a Native American! Or to handicapped children and adults who learn to master their own bodies by riding a horse. A horse is like any other domesticated animal-they give us unconditional love. And, for the most part, domesticated animals have chosen to remain with mankind. In spite of all the warped evil ou there. (I prefer the word "warped" vs "sick", as "sick" implies an illness, not pure evil. Elderly abuse, child abuse, animal abuse=pure evil.)