What is this bill about?

This bill aims to strengthen laws against "soring", a cruel practice where horses’ legs or hooves are intentionally hurt or irritated to exaggerate their gait for horse shows and competitions. The bill updates the existing Horse Protection Act to define more clearly what is illegal, make penalties tougher, and improve how the Department of Agriculture enforces these rules.

Key points in simple terms

• New Definitions: The bill explains what “action devices” are — such as special boots or chains that can cause pain — and says that any use of these to hurt horses for shows is illegal.
• Expanded Illegal Acts: It makes it illegal not only to sore horses but also to use weighted shoes, pads, or other devices that change how a horse moves unnaturally for competitions.
• Stronger Penalties: People caught breaking the rules can be fined higher amounts (up to $5,000) and face longer jail times (up to 3 years). Repeat offenders could be banned permanently from participating in horse shows and related events.
• Better Enforcement: The Department of Agriculture will license and oversee inspectors to check horses at shows and auctions ensuring horses are not sore. Inspectors will be held to strict standards to prevent conflicts of interest.
• Public Transparency: Violations will be published online so event organizers can know if individuals have broken the rules before allowing them to participate.
• Multiple Violations Lead to Suspension: A horse found sore will be disqualified from shows for increasingly longer periods: 180 days for the first time, one year for the second, and three years for the third infraction.
• Clarifies Who is Responsible: The bill holds not just the people who directly hurt the horses accountable but anyone who knowingly participates in activities involving sored horses, like transporting or giving instructions to exhibitors.

Why is this important?

Soring causes severe pain and long-term damage to horses just to make them perform a particular style of walking that some people find impressive. It’s considered animal cruelty and distorts fair competition in horse shows. Despite existing laws, soring has continued, especially in breeds like Tennessee Walking Horses and Racking Horses. This bill aims to close loopholes, give inspectors more power and independence, increase penalties, and raise awareness to finally put an end to these harmful practices.

In summary

The PAST Act makes laws tougher against hurting horses with devices or chemicals to change how they walk in competitions. It improves how inspectors are trained and licensed, increases punishments for those who break the law, and makes enforcement stronger and more transparent. Ultimately, it helps protect the welfare of horses and promotes truthful, fair horse competitions.