The American Horse Council has told the U.S. Department of Agriculture that proposed changes to the regulations governing the Horse Protection Act–which has the goal of ending soring of certain breeds of horses– should be applied only to Tennessee Walking Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses and Racking Horses in shows, sales and auctions.
Some trainers in those industries have used cruel methods to emphasize the gaits of their horses. But the proposed changes would include a ban on pads used in shoeing, as well as action devices, weighted shoes and foreign substances.
As AHC and other equestrian organizations have pointed out, soring is not a problem in other segments of the horse industry and over-broad regulation could have unwanted effects.
“The AHC strongly opposes soring and believes action is needed to stop the soring of “big lick” Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses and Spotted Saddle Horses,” said AHC President Julie Broadway.
“However, the AHC believed it was necessary to voice concerns that certain provisions of the proposed rule are too broadly written, not sufficiently defined and could cause confusion for the horse show industry.”