Horse Protection Act (HPA) Information

The Horse Protection Act (HPA) is a Federal law that prohibits horses subjected to a practice called soring from participating in shows, sales, exhibitions, or auctions. The HPA also prohibits drivers from transporting sored horses to or from any of these events.  APHIS works actively with the horse industry to protect against such abuse and ensure that only sound and healthy horses participate in shows. Our ultimate goal is to end this inhumane practice completely.

Soring is a cruel and abusive practice used to accentuate a horse’s gait. It may be accomplished by irritating or blistering a horse’s forelegs through the application of chemicals such as mustard oil or the use of mechanical devices.

Walking horses are known for possessing a naturally high gait , but in order to be successful in competition their natural gait is often exaggerated.  The exaggerated gait can be achieved with proper training and considerable time however, some horse exhibitors, owners, and trainers have chosen to use improper and inhumane training methods to shorten the time it would take to produce a higher gait without abusive practices. 

• History and Administration of the HPA (PDF)
• Factsheet on HPA (PDF)
• Responsibilities of Horse Show Management (pdf)
• The Horse Protection Act
• HPA Regulations
• AVMA Resources for Veterinarians on Soring

Certified Horse Industry Organizations

Find the latest list of USDA-certified Horse Industry Organizations, Suspension Lists, and Audit Reports.

If you are aware of the following:

• Any individuals on USDA disqualification or HIO Suspension lists that may be showing illegally, or
• Any horse show, exhibition, sale or auction that may be allowing soring practices,

Please contact USDA Horse Protection Program at 301-851-3755 or email at hp@aphis.usda.gov.

Horse Protection Act Inspection and Enforcement

Learn more about how the HPA is enforced by APHIS and the Horse Industry Organizations.

Searchable HPA Suspensions

Horse Protection Stakeholder Updates

• September 10, 2012 - 2012 Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Results
• July 27, 2012 - The Department has received many questions on the Horse Industry Organization (HIO) Designated Qualified Persons (DQP) decertification (revocation) process within this past week. We have developed the following document along with the provided flowchart to assist our stakeholders and regulated entities in understanding the process. (pdf)
• July 23, 2012 - Update Memo Regarding Penalty Protocol Final Rule
• June 28, 2012 - Memo to Horse Industry Organizations Clarifying Penalty Protocol Final Rule
• June 8, 2012 - Memo to Horse Industry Organizations Advising Amendments To Rulebook
• June 5, 2012 USDA Publishes Final Rule to Provide Greater Protection for Horses
  Action Will Require Horse Industry Organizations to Assess Minimum Penalties for Violations
  - Docket No. APHIS-2011-0030
  

 

Horse Protection Act Enforcement Activity

• USDA Horse Protection Program 2012 Activities [As of December 19, 2012]
• USDA Horse Protection Program 2011 Activities [As of December 31, 2011]
  
• USDA Disqualification List - 01/28/2013, of the individuals that are disqualified due to violation of the HPA (pdf).

  For full disclosure of recent and previous cases, please look at the following websites:

  • Office of Administrative Law Judges - Judicial Proceedings
  • USDA Judicial Officer Decision
  • AC Horse Protection Enforcement Actions
    • Foreign Substance Letter of Warnings as of April 20, 2012

• Department of Justice – Horse Protection Act Press Releases
  • Barney Davis Detained and Bond Surrendered in Case Involving Horse Protection Act Violations and Related Financial Crimes – July 28, 2011
  • Paul Blackburn Pleads Guilty to Horse Protection Act Violations - October 18, 2011
  • Barney Davis, Christen Altman, and Jeffery Bradford Plead Guilty To Horse Protection Act Violations – November 8, 2011
  • Alabama Man Sentenced in Soring Case for Horse Cruelty Violation – December 9, 2011
  • Trainer Sentenced For Horse Soring Violations – January 23, 2012
  • Jackie L. McConnell, John Mays, and Joseph Abernathy Plead Guilty to Violations of the Horse Protection Act - May 22, 2012
  • Jackie McConnell Sentenced To Serve Three Years Probation For Violations Of The Federal Horse Protection Act - September 18, 2012