The stigma of soring has made the walking horse industry the pariah of the horse world, and has had a long-standing, adverse effect on the economic viability of this industry, which suffers from diminished breeding and attendance at its major events. Photo by The HSUS
Horse lovers everywhere applauded the USDA ‘s recent announcement regarding the ruling update to the Horse Protection Act that would end the abusive practice of horse soring.
The USDA announced the ruling on January 13th, 2017, but the Office of the Federal Register did not publish the ruling before Donald Trump and his administration took office. It was set to go into effect on Tuesday, January 24th. Unfortunately for horses, the administration pulled every single piece of pending legislation for “review.”
Trump’s pick for the Secretary of Agriculture, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, is pro-slaughter and has stated to be “insensitive to the welfare of farm animals.”
What this means is that the ruling is in limbo: it is not “dead,” but neither is it in effect. Until the ruling is passed, “Big Lick” trainers can continue the practice of soring on horses, which is the act of putting caustic chemicals on the horse’s legs and placing tall “stacks” on horse’s feet in order to exaggerate their gait.
Soring is called such because it causes the horses excruciating pain so a few “Big Lick” trainers can win a ridiculous blue ribbon. You can read more about horse soring on Hanaeleh’s information page >>>HERE<<<
McConnell’s Financial Ties to Big Lick Trainers
Although it is possible that the ruling can eventually be passed by the current administration, the heartbreaking fact is that there are people on Trump’s team who are actively working to allow soring to continue.
Senate Majority Leader McConnell is one of those people, in fact a very vocal one, who has taken money from horse soring advocates. Since 1998, he has received $750,000 from Big Lick trainers.
Senator McConnell works closely with Trump, and his wife, Elaine Chou, is Trump’s choice for the Secretary of Transportation. McConnell has actively worked to prevent previous horse soring bills, such as the PAST act, from being put into effect in previous years as well.
For more information on Senator McConnell’s work against the Horse Protection Act and against stopping horse slaughter, please click here.
Suggestions to Help Reinstate Ruling
Humane treatment of horses is a bipartisan issue. Animal abuse should never be tolerated. Preventing abuses such as horse soring is an example of how we can work together to ensure that these incredible animals are not tortured for sport.
On a positive side, there has been some media coverage. Priscilla Presley has spoken out against horse soring.
People.com just published an article about the abuses of horse soring.
The PAST Act was a bi-partisan bill, with advocates from both Republicans and Democrats.
The USDA’s ruling, which came after 6 years of work and months of public hearing, most likely die unless there is enough public support.
Therefore, we urge you to PLEASE call your representative and tell them that you would like them to revive the USDA ruling on horse soring. Please see below for a script you can use when contacting your representative.
- Link to easily find your Congressperson, click–> HERE
- Link to easily find your Senator, click–> HERE
It seems easier to send an e-mail or sign an online petition, and that is because it is. For that reason, your representative does not treat those as importantly as an actual phone call. It will take you less than 2 minutes. PLEASE CALL!
USDA Horse Soring Ruling Script to Call
You can use the following script to tell your representative that you want horse soring stopped by reviving the USDA rule that should have gone into effect!
Hi, my name is _________
and I’m from __________(city, state).
I’m calling to urge ________________ (Congressman or Senator’s name)
to revive the USDA Ruling on Horse Soring so that it can be recorded into the Federal Register. Soring is torture and must stop now. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important ruling.