Congressman Cohen Applauds USDA Final Rule on Horse Soring

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a longtime opponent of the intentional injury to horse legs and feet called soring to create an exaggerated gait at walking horse shows, today applauded the release of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) strengthened Horse Protection Act regulations. The new regulations include important measures such as eliminating industry self-regulation and the role of industry-backed Designated Qualified Persons as inspectors and assigning sole responsibility to the APHIS. The rule also bans the use on Tennessee walking and racking horses of devices and substances integral to soring such as all action devices and non-therapeutic pads, artificial toe extensions, and wedges, as well as all substances on the extremities above the hoof, including lubricants.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"These rules ensuring compliance with longstanding, commonsense regulations under the 1970 Horse Protection Act will finally end this barbaric practice and place inspections under the authority of people who want to keep these magnificent animals safe and healthy. This is a long time coming but is very welcome news."

Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund made the following statement:

"There are few wins for animals as bittersweet as this one. Our work to end this abject cruelty is a testament to never giving up on ending horse soring, an egregious practice that has gone unabated for far too long. Can you imagine inflicting such pain for a high-stepping ride around the ring for a blue ribbon? I can't, and neither could numerous equine and veterinary organizations and the lead sponsors of the PAST Act. At last, the U.S. Department of Agriculture takes a critical step to protect horses from these unimaginable cruelties and our society is all the better for it. We're so grateful to Congressman Cohen and the other lead sponsors of the PAST Act for urging USDA to finalize these stronger regulations."

Congressman Cohen, a member of the Animal Protection Caucus who was awarded the Humane Society's Humane Horseman of the Year in 2022, led a letterin November asking Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to expedite publication of the rules announced today.

Congressman Cohen also introduced the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act with Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Vern Buchanan (FL-16) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) in May 2023 to ban the harmful practice of "soring" horses.

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