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Veterinary Support Needed for the PAST Act
Help End the Cruel Practice of Soring

May 21, 2015

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The soring of hooves and legs causes deformities that force horses to perform the exaggerated gait that is highly-sought in some show rings.  Lance Murphey

Last month, the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, S. 1121, was re-introduced in the U.S. Senate. The PAST Act addresses the cruel practice of “soring,” which is the intentional infliction of pain to horses’ hooves and legs to force them to perform an exaggerated gait to gain an unfair advantage in the show ring. HSVMA strongly supports this bill (read our letter of support), and we encourage veterinary professionals to contact their two U.S. Senators to urge them to co-sponsor the PAST Act.

Prevent All Soring Tactics Act

The PAST Act would protect Tennessee Walking horses, Racking horses, and Spotted Saddle horses from the inhumane practice of "soring." Soring involves a variety of gruesome techniques, including caustic chemicals that burn the horses’ flesh, chains, and heavy, stacked horseshoes to accomplish this artificial gait rewarded at competitions. The PAST Act would amend the Horse Protection Act to address the industry's failed system of self-policing, ban the use of devices implicated in the practice of soring, strengthen penalties and make other reforms necessary to finally end this form of equine abuse.

The PAST Act has been endorsed by all 50 state veterinary medical associations, the AVMA, AAEP, AHC, HSVMA, horse industry professionals, and numerous animal protection organizations. In 2014, the bill had 368 co-sponsors (308-House and 60-Senate), representing a bipartisan majority of both the House and Senate.

As a veterinary professional, it's critical that your Senators hear from constituents like you regarding the welfare of horses and how important it is to treat all animals with dignity and respect.

Join HSVMA by adding your individual support of the PAST Act

Find out if your two U.S. Senators are already co-sponsoring the PAST Act. If so, please give their office a brief call to thank them for their support. Look up your U.S. Senators»

If not, contact them today and express your support for this bill as both a constituent and veterinary professional. Veterinary voices will be crucial to the passage of this important piece of animal welfare legislation.