The Great Lip Chain Debate
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Is it a safety issue or an animal welfare concern?
by Susan Winslow
The AQHA has spoken, and on January 1, 2016, the organization will be instituting a ban on the use of lip chains in the Halter pen. This is just one of a number of changes made to the AQHA rulebook at the 2015 meeting of the Executive Committee. Others include the institution of more stringent penalties for violations regarding animal welfare. While many of the changes, especially those holding people accountable for violations of animal welfare regulations, have been met with support, the ban on the use of lip chains has sparked debate. Many people are cautious about sharing their opinions on this topic, but those who have spoken out have widely different viewpoints.
Horsemen across the board generally agree that the equine industry has changed in the past five decades. Horses are generally healthier, stronger, and have improved longevity. The scientific advancements in diet, discipline-specific training, and refinement of bloodlines have also created horses that are more specialized in the show world, including the Halter pen.
In today’s world, the AQHA has the difficult task of responding to membership concerns and wishes while monitoring the wel- fare of the horses competing under the auspices of their organization. The organization’s decision to enact the ban on lip chains in the Halter pen and implement more strict penalties for infractions of animal welfare regulations across the board came about after extensive discussion among members as well as in councils and committees within the organization.
The Equine Chronicle spoke with a number of well-respected individuals and Halter experts in the industry. These judges, trainers, exhibitors, and AQHA officials were willing to share their thoughts on this controversial topic. There is no doubt that as the show season rolls on toward January 2016, when the new ruling will go into effect, this will be a hot topic in the aisles of many a horse show barn and at the pen.
Kenny Hall – Multiple World and Congress Champion
APHA, NSBA, PHBA and AQHA Judge
and owner of Kenny Hall Quarter Horses
“Halter horses today can be bred pretty hot and excitable, and no one understands this unless you’ve been on the other end of the lead shank. I think it’s okay to take lip chains away from a trainer, because they should be able to handle their horses, as far as mares and geldings go…
“[Taking the lip chain away from] studs, on the other hand, I feel is taking a risk, because, due to their very nature, they can be unpredictable. By taking away a lip chain, unforeseen problems could occur. I think it is a huge mistake to take lip chains away from exhibitors in Select and Youth competition. These are two areas that we have been trying to encourage exhibitors to show in, and [this new rule] to me, is a big discouragement.
“An exhibitor has a certain amount of responsibility – not only to be able to contain, control, and show their horse, but also to the others in the class. As a judge, I often see times where an exhibitor can’t control their horse and can’t get it shown; this can have an adverse affect on other exhibitors if they’re positioned close to that horse.
“As an exhibitor, if a lip chain will help me to present a horse better, I feel it’s my job to get my horse shown. If you can show without a lip chain, it’s a higher degree of difficulty that you achieve and your horse looks ‘more broke.’ But, I don’t find lip chains to be any more offensive than riders who wear spurs. It’s all in how it’s used; it doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”
Jim Snow – Producer of multiple World,
Congress, and Futurity Champions
and owner of Snow Quarter Horses
“I don’t understand the logic in taking away lip chains, a decision made by non-Halter exhibitors. People who don’t show Halter horses made this decision and didn’t take it away from any discipline except Halter. There are people who have put their lives, hopes, and money into their Halter horses and they can’t show or exhibit them to the best of their ability without this option – namely Youth, Amateur and Select competitors.
“When watching the All-American Futurity and the Kentucky Derby, they don’t seem to think it’s a problem [to use lip chains]. Why is it a problem for the Halter industry? This option in the show pen is not only for that particular exhibitor’s safety and control, but also for horse’s possible misconduct that can impact the entire arena, which is full of exhibitors and horses.
“Our livelihood has always been derived from the horse industry. At a time when our economy is so fragile, I think the Quarter Horse industry would be better served encouraging more people to invest in and show Quarter Horses than encouraging them to seek other breeds or forms of recreation. The Halter horses have been one of the few disciplines that include the entire family, our children, grandparents, and great-grandparents. We truly hope this [use of the lip chain] never goes away. It’s never too late to right a wrong.”
Denny Hassett
Multiple World and Reserve World Champion
and member of the AQHA Hall of Fame
“I don’t have a whole lot to say about it. I want to do what’s right, but this will affect our industry, especially with young kids in Youth and exhibitors who are up in years. Bloodlines and feed have changed, and the horses are different than they were 50 years ago. They’re healthier and stronger, but they’re not crazy. I’ve always felt that if it’s used correctly, the lip chain is not going to hurt an animal, but it gives the exhibitor more security when handling the horse. Banning lip chains will hurt a lot of the shows. I’ve showed a lot of Halter horses, and I’ve never seen any blood from a lip chain. Using a chain over the nose or under the chin can hurt a horse if it’s used wrong – it’s all in how you handle your hands. I don’t have any youth showing right now, but I have a client in her 70s who has shown some studs. She’s had hip and knee surgery, so the extra security and control of a lip chain, used correctly, kept her safe. People like her will really be affected by this change.”
Susan Grove and her husband, Jack,
are twenty-year cumulative breeders
of Western Pleasure and Halter horses
“My horses have earned numerous superiors in both open and amateur divisions along with top ten placings at the World Show and top ten finishes in national high point standings. Most of these accomplishments were proudly earned with horses we have raised. I totally respect the humane treatment of all animals, but I think the absolute ban on lip chains goes overboard. I feel that the use of a lip chain on Halter horses is most importantly a safety issue.
“Sometimes, a need for extra control involves not only the safety of the exhibitor, but the horse, other exhibitors, and other horses. On two occasions in the past, I have encountered a harness horse working while going to the show arena. Thankfully, I had the option to slip the lip chain on for added control and safety of all concerned. A loose horse in this situation could have resulted in injuries to humans and horses. I have also had situations where I had to go through a make-up area where horses were working and longeing, in order to get to the show arena. Another time, at The Kentucky Horse Park, I encountered a draft team pulling a big wagon. Some things are just hard to condition your horse to when you’re at home. Sometimes, at shows, we are in very crowded conditions (make-up areas, barn aisles, and small arenas) and the extra control could be needed for safety, especially in handling stallions.
“I don’t understand why we are changing the rule when we have disciplinary procedures in place. It is my understanding that there was a fifteen-year look back to violations of lip chain usage and none were found. Maybe they should not be allowed in a Novice class, just as Novices are not allowed to show stallions except by certain ages and in certain countries per rule SHW 215.10. For these many reasons, the total ban goes too far.”
Craig Huffhines,
AQHA Executive Vice President
“The American Quarter Horse Association believes that the welfare of the horse is of paramount importance. Improving animal welfare in competition is a hot topic in the equine industry and in the media today.
“After hearing input from exhibitors, owners, and trainers on both sides of the lip chain issue, the members of the AQHA Executive Committee determined that the use of lip chains is inconsistent with AQHA’s welfare rules. Thus, effective January 1, 2016, the use of lip chains shall be prohibited. This recent rule change exemplifies AQHA’s stand on animal welfare and our commitment to making the welfare of the horse a priority.
“AQHA stands firm with the decision to continue to put animal welfare as the top priority and to continue the development of procedures that ensure the humane treatment of all horses.”
