Federal Horse Soring Legislation Reaches 300 Cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives

House Leadership Urged to Allow Floor Vote

A federal bill to protect Tennessee walking horses from the cruel practice known as “soring” reached a congressional milestone last week by earning its 300th cosponsor in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R.1518, now is cosponsored by 115 Republicans and 187 Democrats. The parallel Senate bill, S. 1406, has the support of 57 cosponsors.

“It is impressive to see such bipartisan support for the bill,” said Dr. Jeff Blea, president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.  “However, this support will only provide real help for these horses if H.R. 1518 is passed. We strongly urge House leadership to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.”

The legislation is endorsed by a broad coalition of major horse industry, veterinary and animal protection groups. The AAEP, American Veterinary Medical Association, every state veterinary medical association, the American Horse Council and many others seek passage of this important legislation.

The AAEP encourages everyone who wishes to see an end to the abusive act of soring to email or call their congressional representatives in order to voice support for the bill. Unless congressional representatives hear from constituents, the current session of Congress may end without this bill becoming law.  Learn more here.

To see the full cosponsor list, visit here.  To find and contact your elected officials, visit here.

If your Senators or Representatives are cosponsors of the bill, please thank them for their support of the PAST Act and ask them to help bring the bill to a vote.  If they are not cosponsors, please ask them to sign on as a cosponsor of S.1406 or H.R.1518.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.