Shelbyville, TN. – The Walking Horse Trainers’ Association, at a called membership meeting, voted February 18, 2013, to support a new HIO. The new HIO will use DQPs from three existing HIOs which agreed to join in the plan and to temporarily shelve existing HIOs in favor of the new HIO.

The HIOs in attendance that voted to comply with the new plan were Heart of America, PRIDE and SHOW.  The new organization will have two members each from the three HIOs and two members from TWSHO, two from WHTA and two independent veterinarians.

It was originally believed that KYHIO would also be a fourth HIO to participate. However, at press time, it appears that after their board met, the decision was made not to join.

WHTA members were of the opinion that the new organization representing the industry with one unified voice was absolutely necessary in order to prevent the passage of proposed legislation which in effect would serve to eliminate the performance Tennessee Walking Horse as it is presently known.