APHIS published the final rule (89 FR 39194-39251) amending the horse protection regulations to provide, among other provisions, that the agency will screen, train and authorize qualified persons for appointment by the management of any horse show, horse exhibition or horse sale or auction to detect and diagnose soring at such events for the purposes of enforcing the HPA. An APHIS statement says the agency will issue guidance to stakeholders for the upcoming horse show season in light of the postponement of the new rule.

The HPA is a federal law that prohibits sored horses from participating in shows, exhibitions, sales or auctions. The HPA also prohibits the transportation of sored horses to or from any of these events. As noted by the American Horse Council, “The equine community is especially concerned about the agency’s evolving definition of soring, which seems to significantly expand the scope beyond the original intent of the regulation. The USDA APHIS needs to refocus its efforts to scale the final rule to what Congress intended and not adopt interpretations that exceed the agency’s authority.”

The National Snaffle Bit Association has received the concerns of its members regarding the Horse Protection Act modifications. While NSBA was founded upon and fully supports humane treatment practices that keep horses safe and healthy, the association shares the concerns of other equine organizations regarding the transparency provided in the new modifications, especially as they relate to stock horse breeds with no history of soring. NSBA is working with other equine organizations regarding the implementation of the new regulations due to their vague and overreaching language. NSBA encourages members to continue to seek respected sources such as nsba.com and the APHIS website, aphis.usda.gov/hpa for the latest news regarding the Horse Protection Act.