Equine Welfare

Horse owners and horse organizations are concerned about the welfare of the horse and are committed to always “Put the Horse First.” Each understands their responsibilities to the horses they use in their activities and the welfare, safety and stewardship of the horse are guiding principles for all segments of the horse industry.

The American Horse Council promotes the safety and welfare of all horses by working with Congress and Federal agencies to ensure that laws or regulations regarding equine welfare are appropriate and designed to protect horses and their use in various activities including breeding, training, competition, work, recreation, and transport.

The American Horse Council also promotes equine welfare by working with other organizations to educate the others about the responsibilities of owning, using, and caring for horses.

WELFARE LEGISLATION

Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2011

On June 27, 2011, Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced the Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2011 (S.1281). The bill would prohibit the interstate transport of any horse in a double-deck truck. Background

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act

On June 9, 2011 Senator Mary Landreiu (D-LA) introduced the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act S.1176 and on September 19, 2011, Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) introduced the House version of this bill H.R.2966. This bill would prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption. The Bill

FY 2012 USDA Funding Bill

On November 18, 2011 the President signed the FY 2012 USDA appropriations bill (H.R. 2112) this bill provides funding for the USDA for the 2012 fiscal year (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012) and contains several provisions of interest to the horse industry. The bill also included a Continuing Resolution (CR) that funded other government activities through December 16, 2011 and contained a provision concerning a new H-2B temporary worker program wage rule opposed by the AHC. Background

Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Resolution

On April 14, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will fund the government for the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year, which ends September 31. This bill cuts funding to several government agencies and programs that are important to the horse community, including U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the federal land management agencies. Background

Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act

Today, Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) announced he will be introducing the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act shortly. The bill will amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of "exotic and non-domesticated animals in traveling circuses and exhibitions." Congressman Moran announced the bill during a press conference with representatives from Animal Defenders International, PAWS, and Bob Barker, former host of "The Price is Right."

WELFARE REGULATIONS

USDA Tightens Rules on Transporting Horses to Slaughter

On September 7, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) adopted the final rule amending the regulatory protections provided under the Commercial Transport of Equines to Slaughter Act (the Act) to horses bound for slaughter. The final rule changes extend the same regulatory protections to horses transported to intermediate points, such as assembly points, feedlots, or stockyards, as those shipped directly to slaughter. The proposed rule changes were published on November 7, 2007, and the final rule changes went into effect on October 7, 2011.

USDA Petitioned to Amend HPA Regulations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requested comments on a petition it received last August which requested changes to the regulations under the Horse Protection Act (HPA). The Horse Protection Act (HPA) prohibits the showing, transport or sale of horses that have been sored. Soring involves any practice to accentuate a horse’s gait through the infliction of pain. USDA publishes regulations under the HPA that outline what is prohibited under the HPA.

GAO Releases Horse Welfare Report

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released its eighteen month report entitled “Horse Welfare: Action Needed to Address Unintended Consequences from Cessation of Domestic Slaughter.” To view the complete report go to: http://www.gao.gov/Products/GAO-11-228

USDA Proposes New Animal Disease Traceability Rule

In February 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) replaced its proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS) with the Animal Disease Traceability Program (ADTP).

Summary & Status Of EHV-1 Incident

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) infection in horses can cause respiratory disease, abortion in mares, neonatal foal death, and/or neurologic disease. The neurologic form of EHV-1 is called Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM). While EHV-1 and EHM are only officially listed as reportable diseases in some states, private veterinary practitioners are encouraged to notify their state animal health officials of any suspected or confirmed cases, regardless of current official state reporting requirements. Background

AHC Supports Improving and Simplifying the FDA Approval Process for Animal Drug Products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested comments on strategies to address the amount of animal drug products currently marketed in the U.S. without approval or other legal marketing status. The FDA is concerned that the safety and effectiveness of these actively-marketed products has not been demonstrated. The purpose of FDA’s initiative was to request comments on approaches for increasing the number of legally-marketed animal drug products. Background

USDA Proposed Minimum Penalties Under the HPA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed changes to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) that would require horse industry organizations to impose minimum USDA-established penalties for soring.The HPA prohibits the showing, transport or sale of horses that have been sored. Soring involves any practice to accentuate a horse’s gait through the infliction of pain. USDA regulations adopted under the HPA outline what is prohibited under the HPA. Background

BROADENING OF COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT OF EQUINE SLAUGHTER REGULATIONS PROPOSED

WELFARE COMMENTS

AHC PUSHES FOR INCLUSION OF HORSES AND HORSE FARMERS AND RANCHERS IN USDA’S EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM

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ADDITIONAL EQUINE WELFARE INFORMATION

Equine Species Working Group Press Release: Second Edition of Informational Booklet on NAIS and Horses Released - March 2007 Learn More

Learn more about the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) & how it relates to horses from the USDA & the Equine Species Working Group

For information on equine research, visit the AAEP’s Equine Research Coordination Group Website

For more information on the U.S. State and Territory Animal Importation Regulations visit the USDA website to learn more about importation regulations

For more information on equine health and diseases, visit USDA's Equine Health Monitoring & Surveillance web site

The AHC drafted the Welfare Code of Practice in fall, 2009. The Code outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care, use, enjoyment, transport and retirement of horses. View AHC's National Welfare Code of Practice Here

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Equine Welfare

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