(JULY 22, 2019) -  Legislation known as the PAST (Prevent All Soring Tactics) Act (H.R. 693) is slated for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Although introduced several times in prior years with a large bipartisan majority of cosponsors, this is the first time this legislation - which is led in the House by Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Ted Yoho (R-FL), two veterinarians serving in Congress - has been scheduled for a vote. 

Horse soring is the process of intentionally inflicting pain, using caustic chemicals, chains, heavy stacked shoes, cutting and other cruel methods, on the lower limbs of Tennessee walking horses and related breeds for the purpose of creating an exaggerated, artificial gait known as the "Big Lick." 

HSVMA is part of a broad coalition of groups endorsing the PAST Act, and the legislation has overwhelming bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress.  As leaders in the field of animal health and welfare, veterinary professionals can help move this important animal welfare legislation forward. 

Here's How You Can Help:

Please call and email your U.S. Representative, urging them to vote in favor of the PAST Act. Make sure to indicate you are a constituent and a veterinary professional when you reach out. You can look up your Representative’s contact information here and you can find out if your Representative is already a co-sponsor here.

If your Representative if a cosponsor, you can use this script:

"My name is __________ and I'm a voting constituent in <your city> and a veterinary professional. I am calling to thank Representative ___________ for being a cosponsor of the PAST Act (H.R. 693). I urge Representative ___________ to be on the floor when a vote is taken this week on this critical legislation to end the cruel practice of horse soring, and vote "Yes." Thank you."

If your Representative is NOT a cosponsor, you can use this script: 

"My name is _____________ and I'm a voting constituent in <your city> and a veterinary professional. I am calling to urge Representative ________________ to vote "YES" on the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 693), which is likely to come up for a vote on the House floor on Wednesday. Horse soring is the process of intentionally inflicting pain, using caustic chemicals and other cruel methods, on the lower limbs of Tennessee walking horses and related breeds for the purpose of creating an exaggerated, artificial gait known as the "Big Lick." This is a cruel practice which all major veterinary organizations oppose. Please vote "Yes" on H.R. 693. Thank you."

Thank you for your time and for adding your support to finally relegate the cruel practice of horse soring to the history books. Please contact us if you have any questions.

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(September 2018) - Legislation known as the PAST (Prevent All Soring Tactics) Act (H.R. 1847/S. 2957) has been introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Ted Yoho and Kurt Schrader, two veterinarians serving in Congress, and in the Senate by Senators Mike Crapo and Mark Warner.  We need the help of the veterinary profession to pass this bill into law.

Horse soring is the process of intentionally inflicting pain on the lower limbs of Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses for the purpose of creating an exaggerated, artificial gait known as the "Big Lick."

Soring is accomplished by the use of inhumane chemical and physical methods:

• The chemical method includes applying caustic substances to the horse's lower leg, then wrapping it in plastic for several days, resulting in severe inflammation. Chains or other "action devices" are then strapped to the inflamed leg to exacerbate the pain as these objects strike the painful areas with each step taken by the horse.
• The physical method includes grinding or trimming of the hoof and/or sole to expose sensitive tissues, then nailing on a pad with objects inserted between the pad and the sole to place pressure on this sensitive area of the hoof. In addition, the horse is made to wear tall and heavy platform shoes held on with over-tightened metal hoof bands that are applied to cause excessive pressure, resulting in pain when the horse's hoof strikes the ground.

Congress passed the Horse Protection Act (HPA) in 1970 to eliminate this abuse, but weak regulations and a failed system of industry self-policing have undermined the law's effectiveness.  Unfortunately, soring is still rampant after 48 years. The number of violations cited by industry inspectors is a small fraction of those found when USDA veterinarians are present. And currently, USDA veterinarians inspect at only 10 percent of shows due to a lack of resources.

Although the PAST Act has overwhelming bipartisan support with more than 280 House cosponsors and 30 in the Senate, Congress has thus far failed to vote on this important protection for horses since it was first introduced in 2013.

As veterinary professionals and leaders in the field of animal health and welfare, we should applaud and encourage this effort to stop the abuse of horses. 

HSVMA is part of a broad coalition of groups endorsing the PAST Act to end the cruel practice of horse soring.  In addition to HSVMA, this legislation has been endorsed by all 50 state veterinary medical associations, the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Horse Council, many other horse industry professionals and groups, and all major animal protection organizations.

How You Can Help:

Please call and/or email your two U.S. Senators and one U.S. Representative today, urging them to support this important animal protection legislation! You can look up your Representative’s and two Senators’ contact information here.

You can say:

Thank you for your time and for adding your support to finally relegate the cruel practice of horse soring to the history books. Please contact us if you have any questions.