Stable & Farm Legal Podcast Horse Protection Act (HPA)

Join us for this Stable & Farm Legal podcast episode about the changes to the Horse Protection Act (HPA), incorporating information from the sources and including important links:
🐴 New Horse Protection Act Regulations: What You Need to Know 🐴
The Horse Protection Act (HPA) has undergone significant amendments that will impact everyone involved in the equine industry, including horse owners, trainers, and event managers. In this episode, we delve into the key changes that will take effect on February 1, 2025.
Here's what we'll cover:
• The purpose of the HPA: We'll start with a review of the HPA's goals, which are to prevent the soring of horses and eliminate unfair competition. Soring involves intentionally inflicting pain on a horse's legs or hooves to produce an exaggerated gait.
• Key changes: The new regulations eliminate Designated Qualified Persons (DQPs) and Horse Industry Organizations (HIOs), replacing them with APHIS-authorized Horse Protection Inspectors (HPIs). APHIS will now directly screen, train, and authorize HPIs.
• Prohibited devices and practices: The new amendments prohibit certain devices and practices on Tennessee Walking Horses and racking horses, including all action devices, artificial toe extensions, pads, wedges, and lubricants, except for therapeutic purposes. An action device is defined as any device that encircles the lower leg and can rotate or slide to cause friction or strike the hoof, coronet band or fetlock joint.
• Dermatologic Conditions Indicative of Soring (DCIS): The "scar rule" is replaced with a more descriptive list of dermatologic conditions that can indicate soring.
• Event Management Responsibilities: Event managers must register their events with USDA/APHIS and notify APHIS at least 30 days before the event, including whether an HPI or APHIS VMO will be utilized.
• Record Keeping: Event managers will have new record keeping requirements, including maintaining records for 90 days.
• Enforcement and Penalties: APHIS may bring administrative or criminal complaints against alleged violators of the HPA. Penalties may include civil penalties and disqualification from showing or exhibiting horses.
• Concerns about the new rules: We’ll also discuss some of the concerns within the equine community about the economic impact and enforceability of the new rules.
Whether you're a seasoned competitor or a horse enthusiast, it's essential to understand how these changes will affect you. Tune in to learn more about your rights and responsibilities under the revised Horse Protection Act.
🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:
• Horse Protection Act on Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-09469
• Horse Protection Act on USDA website: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/hpa

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Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Moreover, Stable & Farm Legal in Norman, Oklahoma produced this podcast with the assistance of AI. The hosts of this podcast are synthesized using AI, and any resemblance to real persons' voices is purely coincidental.
Visit the Stable & Farm Legal website: stableandfarm.legal or reach Ms. Westman at [email protected].