Progress was made this past week as H.R. 693, the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives with 333 votes! This is a tremendous victory for equine advocates in a lengthy battle to end this cruel practice.
In short, this H.R. 693 addresses the practice of soring horses. Soring includes various actions taken on a horse’s legs to produce higher gaits. These “actions” are known to cause pain, distress, inflammation and/or lameness.
Specifically, the bill expands regulation and enforcement of soring practices at horse shows, exhibitions, sales and auctions, including establishing a new system for inspecting horses for signs of soring. The bill also increases penalties for violations.
Click here to read more about this great victory in the U.S. House toward ending a cruel and horrific practice inflicted for decades, particularly in gaited horse shows.