USDA Updates on New Amendments to the Horse Protection Act

To know about February 1, 2025, the date that the new amendments to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) come into effect, we are getting closer, it is most important that we keep the equestrian community notified about the modifications and their possible results on competitions around the United State. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has been actively engaged in the talks with American Horse Council (AHC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service(USDA/APHIS) to pin down the particulars about how these developments will be applied.

The major issue is that the main purpose of the amendments to remove the use of soring to negatively affect the horse is still present and proper guidelines are still in doubt because the regulations lack a clear view from the spectrum, the qualifications of the inspectors and the examination processes itself.

The new amendments have modified certain existing elements capable of either positively or negatively influencing the horse caretakers and the event organizers. The Horse Protection Act, a federal law passed in 1970 was designed to guarantee safe competition involving horses and the main purpose of the Horse Protection Act amendments, which will be published on the 1st of February in 2025, is the regulation of horse soring.

The latest updates to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) consist of a steadfast explanation about the chastisement of the animal and the kindness of horses. Soring, which is the application of irritating or blistering a horse’s limb chemicals to cause a painful or distressful result, is perceived as a severe kind of animal abuse.

The use of tack, nails, screws, or any device or chemical agent causing suffering to the horse during movement also falls under the definition of soring. These regulations emphasize the importance of animal abuse prevention, ensuring that horses are treated humanely at all times, particularly in competitive environments. The new regulations aim to heighten enforcement of these protections to curb such abuses and ensure the humane treatment of horses across all events.

Importantly, the new rules clarify that such practices do not apply to veterinary treatments conducted under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, which aligns with the goal of both animal abuse prevention and the humane treatment of horses. This stricter enforcement is designed to further prevent animal abuse while promoting the welfare of horses within the equine industry. The consistent application of these amendments highlights the ongoing commitment to ensuring humane treatment and strong animal abuse prevention measures in equine competitions.

Under the updated regulations, USDA inspectors will continue to have the authority to conduct inspections at any equine event covered by the Horse Protection Act. Horse checks are usually carried out before a competition but can take place at any time while the horse is at the competition site. USDA/APHIS personnel can do a variety of tests during an inspection including blood samples, hair, swabs collection and thermography and radiography for the detection of the signs of soring. The inspectors can also request that certain equipment be removed during the inspection to ensure no devices that could be used for soring are present.

A significant change introduced by the new amendments is the requirement for competition and event management to register their events with APHIS. This applies to any equine event or competition in the U.S. that falls under the scope of the Horse Protection Act. Importantly, USEF has taken the responsibility to report all licensed competitions to USDA/APHIS, meaning that competition managers affiliated with USEF do not need to register their events directly. This streamlined process is designed to help manage compliance and reduce the administrative burden on event organizers. Event organizers of non-USEF competitions, however, must ensure their events are properly registered.

Take a moment to consider the fact that some equestrian activities are not covered by the rules of the Horse Protection Act. Nevertheless, the so-called horse racing where speed is the main factor for the winner will be the only type to which it does not apply. Rodeo events, parades, and trail rides are also not considered covered events under the Horse Protection Act. This distinction helps clarify which events are subject to inspection and which are not.

Although the USDA/APHIS and USEF are making every effort to make sure the new regulations are adopted flawlessly, the equine industry is continuing to worry about the ambiguity of certain aspects of the law. Specifically, questions remain about what constitutes a covered event, the qualifications and training of inspectors, and the overall inspection process.

To address these concerns, USEF, along with the AHC and other equine industry organizations, has formally requested that the implementation of the new regulations be delayed by at least sixty days. Some enthusiastic viewers like you may not have a constituent address to give additional time in case you or the local government are not ready.

Interest in gaming and streaming, already at peak levels, is further fueled by the imminent release of the next-gen Xbox and PS5 models. In the event of a claim, we have, due to the widespread confusion caused by misinformation as a result of the new FDA Horse Protection Act, managed to work closely with USDA/aphis and eventually clarifying the rules to evade any trouble that may arise for horse racing owners and event organizers

To keep the horse community updated, USEF is giving out different resources, among them a FAQ about the new Horse Protection Act amendments. This document offers valuable insight into the changes and helps address common concerns related to the law’s implementation. All horse owners, trainers, and event managers are advised to read these materials carefully to have a good grasp of their new regulations.

USEF remains committed to keeping the community informed and up to date with any new developments regarding the Horse Protection Act. In the coming weeks, additional resources and updates will be shared as more information becomes available, especially regarding any further actions that may be taken by the USDA or other regulatory bodies.