UPHA and ASHA Announce Support of Amendments to the Horse Protection Act
Saturday, July 27, 2013
The UPHA and the ASHA have announced that both organizations are in support of the ‘Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2013’ proposed federal legislation that was introduced in April 2013 and has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This legislation is intended to strengthen the Horse Protection Act, by increasing fees and penalties for the soring of horses.
The boards of directors of both organizations unanimously pledged their support for this legislation during board meetings held during the week of the Lexington Junior League Horse Show. UPHA President, Gary Garone, noted that “none of the breeds represented by the UPHA, namely American Saddlebreds, Morgan horses, roadsters and Hackneys, have ever been cited for violations of the Horse Protection Act”. ASHA President, Tandy Patrick, added that “the ASHA is opposed to any inhumane treatment of horses, including soring”.
The trigger for USDA’s enforcement of the Horse Protection Act is the showing, exhibition, auction or transport of a horse that has been sored. If a breed, discipline, or activity is not soring its horses to exaggerate their gaits, then the HPA will not adversely affect them. The new prohibitions do not apply to any breeds represented by the UPHA or the ASHA.
The UPHA and the ASHA join various other equine organizations in support of the proposed legislation, including the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Morgan Horse Association, the American Paint Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Arabian Horse Association, the Pinto Horse Association of America, the Maryland Horse Council, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Horse Council.
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