Congress Takes a Big Forward Step of Its Own to Crack Down on Horse Soring

Many people unfamiliar with the equestrian world are unfamiliar with the practice of horse “soring” — an illegal and unethical practice of some trainers who injure the front feet and legs of certain breeds of horses by chemical or mechanical means to produce a particular “gait” considered pleasing to leaders within a segment of the Tennessee Walking horse world.

AWA executive director Marty Irby, a native of southern Alabama, has a multi-generational, background in the Tennessee Walking horse world, but split with many in his former industry when he called for an end to the cruel practice of soring.  For the last six years, he’s been working with Wayne Pacelle to push this legislative ahead.

The House voted in support of PAST Act in the fall, with 333 House members favoring the bill.  Here is a write-up on that exciting legislative progress.

AWA is negotiating with the industry to try to fashion a pathway to move the bill through the Senate