Purposely Inflicting Pain on Horses: Get the PAST Act Passed

Soring is the practice of purposely inflicting pain to exaggerate the leg motion of the Tennessee Walking horses and other gaited breeds.

How it is done: The horses hoofs are cut down to the sensitive sole to the point of bleeding or the supporting hoof wall is removed. Once the hoof is exposed the hoof is nailed and strapped to stacks. Stacks are heavy platforms, that are used to archive the high stepping gait called the Big Lick. "The science shows that raising the heels 8 degrees can cause the horse to stumble and tire easily." Chemicals such as: kerosene, diesel, mustard or croton oil, hand cleaner, WD-40 and DMSO, are then placed on the horses lower leg and pastern. Next the legs are covered with plastic and left to "cook" for several days. In addition, bracelet like chains or rollers, called action devices, add additional weight and pain as it strikes the irritated skin with each step. These horses have been subject to this abuse and deserve to be treated better.

"The Horse Protection Act of 1970 is a United States federal law that prohibits sored horses from participating in shows, exhibitions, sales or auctions. The Horse Protection Act also prohibits the transportation of sored horses to or from any of these events." Even though it is illegal it is still continuing to happen. Owners and trainers are finding loopholes around this law, by numbing, spray painting and doing practice exams. Trainers will hurt the horse in an abusive manner if he instinctively reacts to the pain in his legs.

The PAST (Prevent All Soring Tactics) Act was introduced in House 30 March 2017. Since then this act has not been passed. "This bill amends the Horse Protection Act to establish a new system for inspecting horses for soring, revise penalties for violations of the Act, and modify enforcement procedures. The soring of horses is any of various actions taken on a horse's limb to produce a higher gait that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness."

"The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish requirements to license, train, assign, and oversee persons hired by the management of horse shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions to detect and diagnose sore horses. A license may not be issued to a person with conflicts of interest, and USDA must give preference to veterinarians. USDA may revoke a license for unsatisfactory performance. USDA must assign licensed inspectors after receiving notice that management intends to hire the inspectors. An inspector must issue a citation for violations and notify USDA of violations. USDA must publish information on violations of this bill and disqualify a horse that is sore."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvHJdQ9RH_Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDygeHVZ6qw
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1847
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalwelfare/sa_hpa
https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Reference/AnimalWelfare/Documents/2015-Soring-Booklet-Final_Logo.pdf