The decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to delay implementing critical regulations to protect horses from the barbaric practice of soring until April 2nd, 2025, is deeply unacceptable.
Soring—the intentional infliction of extreme pain on horses’ legs and hooves to force an exaggerated, high-stepping gait—remains one of the most egregious forms of animal cruelty in competitive horse shows. This delay means horses will endure unnecessary pain and abuse for an additional two months, solely to appease industry groups and political pressure.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) finalized these long-overdue regulations on May 8th, 2024, marking the most significant improvement to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) since its enactment in 1970. The rule was set to take effect on February 1st, 2025, and would have finally put an end to self-policing by corrupt industry organizations, banned the use of pain-inflicting devices linked to soring, and strengthened enforcement mechanisms to detect and prevent abuse.
The overwhelming public and legislative support for these reforms—including more than 115,000 public comments and endorsements from over 100 federal lawmakers—demonstrates the urgent need for action.
Yet, despite the clear welfare benefits of this rule, the USDA has once again bowed to industry pressure. Opposition from 13 state agriculture departments, lobbying by the American Horse Council, and a lawsuit from the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Association have all contributed to this delay. But these challenges do not justify postponing protections for horses who continue to endure severe pain at the hands of trainers who exploit legal loopholes and weak enforcement. The USDA’s justification—citing pending litigation, industry concerns, and limited departmental resources—is nothing more than an excuse to prioritize political interests over animal welfare.
“Efforts to protect horses from the appalling range of abuses associated with soring have been decades in the making,” said Joanna Grossman, Ph.D., director of Animal Welfare Institute’s Equine Program. The Horse Protection Act regulations that were finalized last May were widely celebrated as a victory for equine welfare. Now, the USDA’s decision to put the brakes on these long-awaited and necessary reforms will likely result in needless animal suffering.”
Animal welfare groups, including AWI, have tirelessly fought to close enforcement gaps and strengthen the HPA. Yet, the decision by the USDA today signals another failure in the fight against animal cruelty. This delay is unjustifiable, and immediate action must be taken to enforce the rule as planned. The abuse of horses for competition must end—not months from now, but now.
