The American Horse Council has requested a 60-day delay in the implementation of revised Horse Protection Act regulations, citing concerns about the readiness of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to enforce the regulations in a fair and consistent manner. The AHC believes that clarity, accessibility, resources, guidance, and training necessary for successful implementation are lacking.
The AHC has expressed concerns about the lack of clarity on how the regulations apply to certain disciplines, the submission of required notifications and reports by event managers, and the availability and training of inspectors. They are advocating for postponing enforcement of the regulations, except for provisions banning devices on Tennessee walking horses and racking horses, which historically have been subjected to soring.
The AHC is committed to working with the USDA-APHIS to improve the implementation of the regulations and has recommended various steps to achieve this, including encouraging voluntary compliance with certain provisions, organizing public engagement meetings, consulting with breed and discipline organizations, and creating an online reporting portal. The AHC aims to provide the equine industry with the tools needed for compliance and confidence in the regulations.
