Protecting Horses from Soring Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative DesJarlais
Introduced
Summary
This bill would make science-based objective inspections the basis for finding a horse 'sore' and would create a Horse Industry Organization to license inspectors and enforce disqualification rules.
Show full summary
- Owners and exhibitors would face mandatory disqualification when a horse is determined sore by an objective inspection or by a licensed person or the Secretary. Disqualification would last at least 30 days for a first finding and at least 90 days for a second or later finding, and sore horses could be barred from sale, auction, or exhibition.
- A new Horse Industry Organization would be created within 180 days to set licensing standards, enforce conflicts-of-interest rules, affiliate with shows and sales, appoint inspectors, and oversee recordkeeping and compliance.
- Objective inspections would rely on veterinarians or veterinary technicians and use swabbing and blood testing that are peer reviewed and accepted by the veterinary community. The Secretary would certify the Organization, revoke other certifications within 90 days of certification, and issue implementing regulations within 180 days.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
New oversight group for horse shows
If enacted, USDA would set up a Horse Industry Organization within 180 days. It would have up to nine board members: two picked by Tennessee, two by Kentucky, two industry reps, and up to three more. The board would set bylaws and committees, and most terms would be four years. The group would affiliate with every show, sale, and auction, appoint inspectors, and bring in vet experts to guide testing. It would write licensing rules with strict conflict‑of‑interest limits. After board appointments, the Secretary would certify this group to train and license inspectors and would end other groups’ certifications within 90 days.
Science-based horse checks and show bans
If enacted, an objective inspection would be done by a vet or vet tech using swabs and blood tests. The method would need peer review and acceptance in the vet or scientific community, as determined by the Secretary. Show managers would have to disqualify a horse found sore by an objective inspection, or when told by a licensed inspector or the Secretary. A first finding would sideline the horse for at least 30 days. A second or later finding would sideline it for at least 90 days.
USDA horse rules due in 180 days
If enacted, the Secretary would have to issue rules to carry out these changes within 180 days. The bill also adds a finding that USDA’s Inspector General says the current inspection program is not adequate.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
DesJarlais
TN • R
Cosponsors
Rose
TN • R
Sponsored 2/27/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov