USDA/APHIS announced that the Horse Protection Act will delay the amendments of the final rule to February 1, 2026. The American Horse Council recently sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture, Brook Rollins, Dr. Michael Watson, Administrator USDA/APHIS and Dr. Sarah Helming, Deputy Administrator USDA-Animal Care requesting postponement and opening a comment period for input on the HPA. The comment period opens March 21, 2025, and will be open for 60-days. AQHA will share more information soon regarding how members can share their commentary.
AQHA also works closely with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and a coalition of industry partners who have hired a Washington, DC lobbying firm to identify strategies to ensure that breeds and disciplines who do not engage in the illegal and inhumane practice of soring horses are not regulated by the HPA.
While the date of implementation of the fresh rule has been successfully delayed for an extended period of time, AQHA will continue to work to identify a method for a lasting fix to prevent AQHA shows from being regulated by the Horse Protection Act. Additionally, once updates are available regarding these efforts, AQHA will keep members informed.
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