A devastating fire at Callicutt Stables in Seagrove, North Carolina, destroyed a 70-year-old barn and killed 36 Tennessee walking horses, with only seven of the 43 horses surviving. The barn housed show-quality animals that represented significant financial and emotional investment, many of which belonged to various owners. Firefighters arrived to find the barn fully engulfed, and the cause of the fire remains undetermined. The tragedy has deeply affected the walking horse community, highlighting both the loss and the controversial history of the “Big Lick” industry, known for its cruel training methods that induce an unnatural gait through soring and other abusive practices.

The Callicutt family, prominent figures in the walking horse world, have long been associated with the “Big Lick” tradition, which has faced increasing criticism and activism, notably from groups like Citizens Against Big Lick. The recent fire coincided with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s controversial celebration of a “Big Lick” champion horse, Justified Honors, which activists condemn as an endorsement of animal cruelty. This incident underscores ongoing tensions between industry supporters and animal welfare advocates, with calls for an end to the abusive practices that have marred the Tennessee walking horse community for decades.