Protect horses from the cruel practice of soring!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a proposal to amend its Horse Protection Act regulations and it could be a major step forward in protecting horses from the abusive practice of “soring.” Soring is where trainers purposefully inflict pain on horses’ hooves and legs to create an artificial high-stepping show ring gait known as the “Big Lick.” They use a variety of gruesome techniques—some trainers even cut the hooves down to the delicate tissue and jam in hard or sharp objects to make the pain even more excruciating whenever the horse puts weight on his or her front legs.
The rule would finally eliminate the use of devices integral to soring and the conflict-ridden industry-run self-enforcement system, which has allowed horse soring to continue for decades, and return sole enforcement authority to USDA.
USDA needs to hear from YOU that you support this proposed rule and urge them to update the HPA regulations to once and for all put an end to soring.
TAKE ACTION
Please send the message below to Dr. Aaron Rhyner, DVM, Assistant Director of USDA APHIS’ Animal Care, urging USDA to amend and strengthen the Horse Protection regulations.