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  • AHC Testifies Before House Committee on Soring Bill

AHC TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SORING BILL

On November 13, 2013, the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, held a hearing regarding the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2013 (H.R. 1518) or PAST Act. American Horse Council (AHC) President Jay Hickey testified in support of the bill.

“The AHC supports the PAST Act and believes it has the potential to end the abusive practice of soring in the Tennessee Walking Horse, Racking Horse, and Spotted Saddle Horse industries,” said Hickey. “I was happy to appear before the committee and explain why the AHC and almost all national horse show associations support the bill.”

Soring is an abusive practice used to cause pain in a horse’s forelegs and produce an accentuated show gait for competition. It usually involves the use of action devices, chemicals, pads, wedges alone or in combination with the application of irritating or blistering chemical agents to a horse’s forelegs. The showing, sale, auction, exhibition, or transport of horses that have been “sored,” has been prohibited by the Horse Protection Act (HPA) since 1970.

“Despite the HPA’s 43 year prohibition on soring, a 2010 USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report found that this practice continues to be a problem in the “big lick” or “performance horse” segments of the Tennessee Walking Horse, Racking Horse, and Spotted Saddle Horse industry,” said Hickey.

The PAST act would amend the HPA to prohibit a Tennessee Walking Horse, a Racking Horse, or a Spotted Saddle Horse from being shown, exhibited, or auctioned with an “action device,” or “a weighted shoe, pad, wedge, hoof band or other device or material” if it is constructed to artificially alter the gait of the horse and is not strictly protective or therapeutic. These new prohibitions would not apply to other breeds that do not have a history of soring.

The legislation would also increase fines and penalties for violations, including the potential for a lifetime ban for repeat offenders.

Additionally, the bill would create a new licensing process for horse show inspectors, eliminating the current ineffective designated qualified persons (DQPs) program. The bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to train, license and appoint new independent inspectors for shows and other HPA-regulated activities that wish to hire an inspector. Licensed or accredited veterinarians would be given preference for these positions. The decision to hire and cost of an inspector would still reside with the management of a show, sale or auction.

“Because soring remains a problem, the PAST Act amendments to the HPA are clearly needed and justified. The bill is narrowly focused on the problem it is intended to solve and does not adversely affect or unnecessarily burden other segments of the horse show industry that are not soring horses and have no history of soring horses,” said Hickey. “Soring is unquestionably abusive and its continued prevalence is severely damaging the Tennessee Walking Horse, Racking Horse, and Spotted Saddle Horse industries and negatively impacting public perception of other segments of the horse industry.”

“The wider horse community might not realize it, but soring is garnering more and more adverse and unnecessary publicity for the horse industry at large. Witness the press surrounding Jackie McConnell and Larry Wheelon and others. This affects the non-walking horse sectors of the show industry because the public does not understand the differences between various show breeds and what they do.”

“The public sees other breeds doing an animated gait and thinks it is a walking horse and being sored, rather than performing its natural gaits. That reflects badly on the entire show horse industry,” says Hickey.

Also, testifying in support of the PAST Act were Dr. W. Ron DeHaven, Executive Vice President & CEO American Veterinary Medical Association, Marty Irby, International Director and Former President Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association, Teresa Bippen, President Friends of Sound Horses, and Donna Benefield, International Walking Horse Association.

Witnesses opposing the bill were Julius Johnson, Commissioner Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and Dr. John Bennett, on behalf of Performance Show Horse Association.

Other national organizations that support the bill include, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, U.S. Equestrian Federation, the American Quarter Horse Association, the American Paint Horse Association, the American Morgan Horse Association, the Pinto Horse Association of America, the Arabian Horse Association, the American Saddlebred Horse Association, the United Professional Horsemen’s Association, the Appaloosa Horse Club, and the American Veterinarian Medical Association as well as many other state and local organizations.

The bill has broad bipartisan support and currently has 223 co-sponsors in the House and 26 co-sponsors in the Senate.

The full written testimony of the AHC and full hearing can be viewed at: https://energycommerce.house.gov/hearing/legislative-hearing-hr-1518-bill-amend-horse-protection-act

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    The AHC believes that the more opportunities available to use horses in various activities, the better the overall health of the industry and those who participate.


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    Lynda is the membership and communications specialist for the American Horse Council. Lynda grew up in Pasadena, Maryland with a passion for horses. She relocated to San Diego, California, where her dream of owning and riding horses came true. Lynda has worked with several law enforcement mounted units and has participated in several national and international horse associations.

    Lynda believes horses play a major role in our society from therapy horses helping children learn to walk again, to helping military veterans and emergency service personnel learn to cope with stress, to keeping our parks and cities safe through law enforcement mounted units. Along with our equine partners assisting in burial services at Arlington National Cemetery. Horses impact our lives in ways others cannot.

    Lynda believes the horse industry as a whole needs to have a voice and working at the American Horse Council is a way for her to help and keep the industry alive and informed.

    Interested in a Free Microchip for your Horse?

    The United Horse Coalition is offering up to 5 free microchips (while supplies last). Click below for more info on how to get your free chip.

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    Cliff Williamson is the Director of Health and Regulatory Affairs for the American Horse Council based in Washington D.C.

    He grew up in Reva, VA on his family’s horse farm, participating in both horse and livestock 4-H activities. In 2008 he graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Animal Science, where he was an active member of both the animal science club Block & Bridle as well as the agricultural fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho. After graduation he spent 27 months in Nicaragua with the Peace Corps for their Food Security Program. Upon his return to the United States he spent four years in the animal export industry as the Director of Animal Logistics for T.K. Exports, Inc. In that time he was honored to be appointed to a seat on the Board of Directors for the Culpeper chapter of the Farm Bureau Federation.

    For information regarding any equine health issues, welfare issues, and state, federal and international requirements regarding the movement of horses, please contact Cliff. 

    cwilliamson@horsecouncil.org

    Bryan Brendle is the Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs for the AHC.

    For information regarding public policy, government relations and advocacy, please contact Bryan.

    bbrendle@horsecouncil.org

    With over 30 years of leadership experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors, Julie holds a BS, MBA, Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership  and is Certified Association Executive®. She’s a life-long horse enthusiast ranging from recreational rider, breeder, and show competitor. A native of NC, she and her husband now reside in DC along with their Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Morgan horses.

    In her down time she enjoys volunteering (she’s president of the board of PATH International), horseback riding, gardening and cooking. “I’m passionate about the equine industry because horses have enhanced my life and well-being so profoundly,” said Julie. “Working at the AHC is a way to give back to the equine community and ensure the long term health of the industry.”

    jbroadway@horsecouncil.org