Bill · H.R. 1675· House(119-HR-1675)
Protecting Horses from Soring Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/27/2025
- Last activity
- 2/27/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Scott DesJarlais
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Protecting Horses from Soring Act of 2025 seeks to amend the Horse Protection Act to increase protections for horses in shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions. It introduces the concept of "objective inspection," which requires science-based protocols like blood testing and swabbing. The bill mandates that horse show management disqualify horses determined to be sore for specific durations. Additionally, it establishes a new "Horse Industry Organization" to govern inspections and licensing. This organization will be overseen by a board with specific appointment requirements from Tennessee and Kentucky. Finally, the Secretary of Agriculture is directed to issue new regulations within 180 days.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill establishes a new, structured industry organization with oversight by the Secretary of Agriculture.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-4
The bill mandates new regulatory burdens and potential loss of business for those with disqualified horses.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-3
The bill imposes new compliance costs and mandatory affiliations for horse show and exhibition management.
Would farmers be better off under this?-2
The bill introduces new regulatory requirements and potential disqualifications for those in the horse industry.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Horse Protection via Science-Based Testing: The bill introduces "objective inspection," which requires a veterinarian or technician to use science-based protocols, including swabbing and blood testing, to determine if a horse is sore (Section 2, paragraph 3).
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Mandatory Disqualification for Sore Horses: Show and exhibition management would be required to disqualify horses found to be sore. This includes a minimum 30-day disqualification for a first determination and at least 90 days for a second or subsequent determination (Section 4, subsection a, paragraph 1 and 2).
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Conflict of Interest Protections: The new licensing requirements for inspectors would mandate that licensed persons and their immediate families be free from conflicts of interest related to the walking horse industry, such as employment by show managers or trainers (Section 4, subsection c, paragraph 3, subclause B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Disqualification Periods: Horses determined to be sore face mandatory periods of being unable to be shown or exhibited, which could impact those involved in the industry (Section 4, subsection a, paragraph 2).
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New Industry Oversight and Costs: The bill requires the establishment of a "Horse Industry Organization" which must appoint inspectors for every sale, exhibition, and auction, and develop specific licensing requirements (Section 4, subsection c, paragraph 1 and 2).
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Restrictions on Industry Affiliations: Under the new rules, various prohibited conducts are updated to require that persons have a "formal affiliation" with the newly created Horse Industry Organization (Section 4, subsection b).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-4Good For Farmers-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- 2/27/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
John RoseRepublican · Tennessee