Feedback sought on the USDA's Horse Protection Program

Feedback sought on the USDA’s Horse Protection Program

While soring is only done by a small percentage of trainers in certain show divisions, the cruel practice has cast a shadow over the entire gaited horse world, particularly Tennessee Walking Horse shows.

In 1970, Congress passed the Horse Protection Act to eliminate the cruel practice of soring, which had become a major issue at some Tennessee Walking Horse and other gaited horse shows. Under the act, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors and inspectors from certified Horse Industry Organizations (HIO) examine horses at competitions to determine whether they have been subjected to painful practices to exaggerate their high, reaching stride. More than 40 years later, the problem of soring persists, with violators finding new ways to get around inspections.

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will be hosting a series of listening sessions over the next months to get feedback from the public on the current state of the Horse Protection Program and what can be done to make it more effective in the future.

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APHIS is particularly interested in obtaining feedback on the following questions:

How close are we to eliminating soring?
Can the Walking Horse industry come together to consistently self-regulate and enforce the Horse Protection Act?
What responsibilities should USDA certified HIOs have?
How can the Walking Horse industry reconcile the interests of competition and ensuring compliance with the HPA?
What can the USDA do to ensure compliance with the HPA?
What responsibilities should the USDA have in enforcing the HPA, and what hinders the USDA’s oversight of the Walking Horse industry?
Should there be a prohibition on action devices (typically chains worn around the pasterns) or of padded shoes?
Should the HPA shoe weight limits on yearlings be extended to horses of all ages?

Interested individuals may register to attend one of the scheduled events and will be given up to five minutes to give their comments. Written comments may also be given to USDA officials at the sessions. Nine sessions are currently scheduled:

March 7: Springhill Suites, Irving, TX
March 8: University Plaza Hotel, Springfield, MO
March 15: Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY
March 22: Doubletree Ontario Airport, Ontario, CA
March 23: Phoenix Inn Suites, Albany, OR
March 27: Renaissance Asheville Hotel, Asheville, NC
March 29: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
April 4: Doubletree Murfreesboro Hotel, Murfreesboro, TN
April 10: USDA APHIS Headquarters, Riverdale, MD

For more information on the Horse Protection Act, click here. To register for a session, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/events_reg.shtml

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View Comments

sam says:
March 2, 2012 at 12:28 am
I'm really glad to see that the USDA isn't giving up on this. It's definitely still a problem. I have a 9 year old walker who was sored, and while he wasn't a horrible case, it certainly had a lasting effect on him. however, I think that there need to be harsher penalties not only for the walking horse industry, but against other forms of abuse perpetrated against show horses - such as tying up necks, rollkur, tail blocks, etc. Abuse of animals is never acceptable, but show horses at public facilities and/or sanctioned venues are a good place to start, and there's precedent to support legislation dealing with the issue.
PKL says:
March 2, 2012 at 6:09 am
This practice is so cruel.
BJB says:
March 2, 2012 at 9:41 am
It should definantly be put to a stop. Soring is a perfect example of the poorest horsemanship possible. Keep trying to put it to a stop, USDA!!!
Pat says:
March 2, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Why are owners that have "soared" allowed to be in a show anyway? If they can't get into the show ring, why soar.
Galadriel says:
March 2, 2012 at 11:49 pm
This should no longer be going on. Anyone who is cruel to animals should not be around them.
Cliff says:
March 20, 2012 at 11:24 am
Hello. I live in Jackson, Mississippi. There is a horse on the east side of Hwy 49N, just south of Gary Rd. The horse obviously has something very wrong with its leg. I'm no expert, but it also didn't seem healthy. I hope there is something you can do.
Pat says:
January 10, 2013 at 11:15 am
Judges and show contestants are aware of this practice and should disallow those participants from entering in competition. It's the people AT the show who can do something about this!