Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Criminal Justice
Date of Award
5-2019
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Dustin Osborne
Committee Members
Bradley Edwards, Jennifer Pealer, Chris Rush
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of soring in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry. Although a limited amount of research has focused on the practice, this is the first known study to utilize a criminological lens to better understand the perceptions and motivations of its use. The study relies upon data collected from Tennessee Walking Horse trainers, event attendees, and Designated Qualified Persons (DQPs), which are analyzed via a mixed-methods approach. Agnew’s (1998) theory on the causes of animal abuse serves as the theoretical framework for this analysis. Results provide a moderate amount of support for the theory’s extension to the problem. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed, as is a framework by which future researchers can continue to advance knowledge regarding soring in the industry.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Medford, Hannah, "Perceptions of Soring in Tennessee Walking Horses" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3547. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3547
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.