PRESS RELEASE
Washington DC (July 25, 2016)—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today applauded a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to strengthen enforcement of the Horse Protection Act and end inhumane practices known as soring, the use of painful devices or chemicals to force an unnatural gait. Senator Feinstein is an original cosponsor of the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act and wrote Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting the proposed rule change.
Senator Feinstein released the following statement:
“No horse should be subjected to the inhumane practice of soring. I’m pleased the USDA has taken the necessary steps to end this cruel practice used by many trainers to forcibly change a horse’s natural gait.
“A 2010 inspector general’s audit found that walking horse trainers and show promoters failed to properly protect horses from soring and in some cases were purposely undermining USDA’s horse inspection programs. The report also stated that approximately 50 percent of all violations were issued at shows inspected by federal veterinarians, despite the fact federal veterinarians were only at 6 percent of shows.
“Under the proposed rule change, the USDA would train, screen and license all horse inspectors. It would also ban the use of soring devices and chemicals at all events.
“The industry’s unwillingness to regulate itself has left too many horses vulnerable to abuse. I look forward to working with Secretary Vilsack to make sure this proposed rule is finalized and to ensure the department has the resources necessary to implement these important changes.”
See Release at Sen. Feinstein’s Senate Website »
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Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Washington Times. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File) .
Tuesday's Horse 
This is great,im so glad you are doing this for the horses.It needs to end as well as the slaught of our american icon the wild horses.The BLM is out of control and using OUR tax dollars to send our horses on public lands to there doom.Will you please help us fight this horrific act of cruelty.End this,pleez!
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Nickers and whinnies to Senator Feinstein for writing the original legislation and following through with a specific request for a rule change to Tom Vilsack and to the USDA and APHIS. Sadly, as Caroline stated above, we will not control what goes on in training behind barn doors — so similar to horse racing no matter what rules are promulgated for the race itself or in this case the horse shows. I do love, however, her statement: “I look forward to working with Secretary Vilsack to make sure this proposed rule is finalized and to ensure the department has the resources necessary to implement these important changes.”
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This is good news but I don’t see how they can monitor and police what goes on with these horses in training.
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HOORAY for Senator Dianne Feinstein, the USDA, APHIS, and Tom Vilsack for doing the right thing to protect our country’s innocent horses who cannot speak for themselves!!!!!!!!
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Yes we definitely need to remember Tom Vilsack. Thank you.
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