New Law Includes Critical Protections for Horses

Washington – A newly signed omnibus bill now includes significant federal protections for horses, addressing issues ranging from racetrack safety and drug use to the closure of horse slaughter plants and the prevention of cruel practices like soring.

Racehorse Safety and Drug Enforcement

The law incorporates the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (S. 4547/H.R. 1754), establishing an independent national authority overseen by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to enforce drug regulations on racetracks. This includes uniform rules, rigorous testing, and penalties for the use of pain-masking and performance-enhancing drugs, which have contributed to frequent horse fatalities – at least eight per week on average during the 2019 racing season. A committee will mandate enhanced racetrack safety protocols to protect both racehorses and jockeys.

Ending Horse Slaughter

The legislation also prohibits the allocation of taxpayer funds for USDA inspections of horse slaughter plants, effectively preventing their reopening. An 80% majority of Americans oppose horse slaughter for human consumption, citing concerns about animal cruelty and food safety, as American horses routinely receive drugs banned for human consumption.

Combating Soring

Funding for USDA enforcement of the Horse Protection Act has been doubled to over $2 million to address the soring of Tennessee walking horses and related breeds. This practice involves intentionally inflicting pain on the horses’ hooves and legs to achieve a specific gait. Efforts are underway to pass the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (S. 1007/H.R. 693) to decisively combat soring.