Horse Protection Act delayed until 2026 amid legal challenges

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced that the implementation of the final rule under the Horse Protection Act will be further delayed until February 1, 2026.

Originally set to take effect on February 1, 2025, and later postponed until April 2, 2025, the rule has been delayed again in response to a legal challenge and the need for APHIS to reassess its implementation strategy.

A federal court ruling found that portions of the 2024 Horse Protection final rule exceeded APHIS’s authority and failed to provide due process, vacating specific provisions related to the use of action devices, pads, and substances on Tennessee Walking Horses and racking horses.

According to the Federal Register, the remaining rule changes, including the transition from Designated Qualified Persons to Horse Protection Inspectors and expanded reporting requirements, require additional time for APHIS to retrain inspectors and clarify compliance expectations.

APHIS has also opened a public comment period until May 20, 2025, seeking input on whether the postponement should be extended further.

Originally passed in the early 1970s, the HPA was designed to eliminate the practice of soring — intentionally causing pain to a horse’s legs or hooves to exaggerate its gait, particularly in Tennessee Walking Horse competitions.

While the act has played a critical role in preventing this inhumane practice, the upcoming revisions extend regulations far beyond their original scope, impacting all breeds, disciplines, and events, including 4-H horse programs.

One of the most controversial aspects of the new regulations is the increased oversight at equine events. Organizers will now be required to notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture at least 30 days before their event and report any violations within five days after its conclusion.

Additionally, the initially revised implementation required USDA-approved veterinarians or trained Horse Protection Inspectors on-site. These inspectors must be licensed veterinarians or experienced equine professionals, eliminating the previous system in which industry-appointed inspectors conducted examinations.

The revised rules also would expand liability, making not just owners but trainers, haulers, and even event sponsors responsible for violations. This heightened accountability means all participants must ensure compliance with the new guidelines, or they could face penalties. The recordkeeping requirements are also becoming stricter, with event organizers needing to maintain detailed records and verify the identity of all horses entered.

Many in the horse industry have expressed concerns over these changes, arguing that they impose excessive burdens on equine events, particularly those run by small organizations and nonprofits like 4-H. Some opponents believe that the revisions have been heavily influenced by animal rights groups that oppose traditional horse ownership and competition. Others worry that the additional costs and regulatory hurdles could discourage participation in horse events altogether.

While supporters of the changes argue that the updated rules will help further prevent soring and improve horse welfare, critics question whether the broader industry should be subjected to increased government oversight due to the actions of a small subset of competitors.

As the revisions continue to evolve, many in the equine community will be watching closely to see how enforcement unfolds and whether the changes create unintended consequences for horse events across the country.