Humane Society of the US Issues Statement Responding to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Report on Horse Soring

A high-stepping horse showing signs of soring during competition.
A high-stepping horse showing signs of soring during competition. Randall Saxton

Newsdate: Friday, January 15, 2021 - 11:35 am
Location: WASHINGTON, DC

Animal protection organizations are reacting to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report  that evaluated methods of detecting horse soring and that underscores the urgent need to eliminate the current system of self-policing in the Tennessee walking horse industry.

Horse splashing drinking water on a hot day.

Close-up of horse's misshapen legs and hooves showing signs of soring

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report evaluating methods of detecting horse soring underscores urgent need to eliminate self-policing in walking horse industry.
© 2020 by Humane Society USA New window.

Soring is the cruel practice of intentionally inflicting pain on the legs and hooves of Tennessee walking horses and related breeds to force the exaggerated show ring gait known as the “big lick.”  The report is the culmination of a thorough study lasting over a year conducted by veterinarians and other experts in animal health and behavior brought together by the National Academies.

Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, and Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, reacted to the report with the following statement:

“The recommendations on methods of detecting horse soring underscore the need to eliminate the failed system of industry self-policing that has enabled this cruel abuse for decades. Though some in the Tennessee walking horse industry hoped that the study would enable them to continue their abuse, the National Academies have delivered a thorough report that recognizes palpation as the gold standard for detection of soreness, embraces an enhanced rule on scarring and offers other constructive proposals designed to achieve more robust enforcement of the Horse Protection Act. Last year, we fought off attempts to enact an eleventh-hour proposal which would have blocked these recommendations and other vital reforms provided for in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2017 anti-soring rule that we’re urging the Biden administration to swiftly reinstate. The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, which an overwhelming bipartisan majority of members of the House of Representatives approved in the last Congress, goes even further to protect horses, and we’ll be championing its passage in the 117th Congress.”

About the Humane Society of the United States

We fight the big fights to end suffering for all animals. Together with millions of supporters, we take on puppy mills, factory farms, trophy hunts, animal testing and other cruel industries. With our affiliates, we rescue and care for thousands of animals every year through our animal rescue team’s work and other hands-on animal care services.

We fight all forms of animal cruelty to achieve the vision behind our name: a humane society. Subscribe to Kitty Block’s blog, A Humane World. Follow the HSUS Media Relations department on Twitter. Read the award-winning All Animals magazine. Listen to the Humane Voices Podcast.  

About Humane Society Legislative Fund

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.


Press release provided by Keith Dane - Humane Society

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This news article is a press release received by the organization or person noted above. Press releases from recognized horse health companies and individuals are frequently posted on EquiMed as a service to our visitors. Please contact the author of the press release directly for additional information.

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