Yoho Introduces Bill to Stop Horse Soring

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL-03), a veterinarian for 30 years, has introduced the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act – HR 3268. This bill will amend the Horse Protection Act of 1970, ending the abusive practice known as horse soring. Soring is the act of causing pain to a horse via chemicals or action devices in order to change the animal’s natural gait. Congressman Yoho released the following statement on the PAST Act:

“The unethical treatment of animals is wrong and should be stopped wherever it exists. Horse soring – the intentional inflicting of pain to horses feet to achieve a high stepping gait – has been illegal for well over 30 years. Unfortunately, soring is still practiced to this day in clear violation of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) of 1970.

“As a veterinarian and lover of animals, I feel the time is now to stop the practice of horse soring for good. I am not the only one who feels this way. Roughly 280 plus organizations, associations, veterinary and animal health advocates, horse industry professionals, and various other groups, support the ending of this unnecessary practice. Also the Senate companion bill, introduced by Senator Kelly Ayotte, currently has the support of 41 Senators.

“The Walking Horse industry has had since 1970 to reform their ways and come up with a more ethical means to achieve their desired goal. They have failed to take advantage of this opportunity and now is the time for horse soring to end. ”