Horse Protection Act Update—February 2025 |
In late January 2025, the implementation of new changes to the Horse Protection Act was temporarily postponed until April 2, 2025.
An ongoing lawsuit in Texas partially vacated some of those anticipated changes to the Horse Protection Act. The court decision determined the following portions of the Horse Protection Act are unlawful: |
- The ban of all action devices and pads.
- The ban of all substances.
- The failure to provide adequate due process in several specific sections.
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These must be addressed before the Horse Protection Act rule is implemented.
We know the vast majority of horse owners and horse breeds do not participate in soring, which is the illegal and unethical practice of intentionally injuring a horse to produce an exaggerated gait. APHA is in full support of humane treatment practices that keep our equine athletes safe and healthy, but the modifications to the Horse Protection Act were riddled with vague, over-reaching language.
APHA continues to work with state-level Department of Agriculture leaders and other industry organizations—both in conjunction with and independent from the American Horse Council—to push back on implementation of new Horse Protection Act regulations until its vague and overreaching language is addressed, especially as it applies to stock-horse breeds with no history of intentionally soring horses. We have joined a coalition of 15 organizations to hire a lobbyist in Washington DC with the sole purpose of rescinding the changes made to the Horse Protection Act by USDA staff in 2024 and to also legislatively clarify the HPA so this type of gross overreach isn’t permitted in the future.
Please continue to seek reputable sources like APHA for the latest developments concerning the Horse Protection Act. As more information becomes available, APHA will continue to update our members. |
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| Questions?
Contact us here. |
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American Paint Horse Association 122 East Exchange Ave, Suite 420 Fort Worth, TX 76164 US
