By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
We are at a tipping point in the fight to end the brutal practice of horse soring, a form of torment to force Tennessee walking horses and related breeds to exhibit the high-stepping gait known as the “Big Lick.”
WASHINGTON (Oct. 15, 2024)—For over a decade, the Humane Society of the United States has pushed for stronger enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to close gaps in its oversight that have perpetuated horse soring, an illegal and abusive practice that forces Tennessee walking horses and related breeds to perform the exaggerated "Big Lick" gait. In April 2024, the USDA finalized a long-awaited rule to eliminate the failed system of industry self-policing and the use of devices integral to soring.
Our annual legislative scorecard is a trusted source for evaluating the animal protection commitments of elected officials at the federal level. This preview version of our 2024 Humane Scorecard allows you to determine where your federal legislators stand now on key animal protection priorities. It also gives you a chance to encourage them to strengthen their support―and their ratings―before the 118th Congress wraps up and we publish the final version in January 2025.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
We condemn in the strongest terms a disturbing act of cruelty caught on video by a wild horse advocacy organization at a Bureau of Land Management wild horse gather in Pershing County, Nevada.
WASHINGTON (July 31, 2024)—The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund are deeply disturbed by video footage that appears to show a Bureau of Land Management contractor kicking a wild horse in the face during a roundup operation on the Blue Wing Complex in Nevada. This willful act of cruelty is unacceptable, and we call upon the BLM to suspend its contract with this party immediately pending a thorough investigation.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
This past weekend we held our Taking Action for Animals conference just outside of Washington, D.C., with over 450 advocates who came from all over the country to attend. At a time that may feel divisive and politically uncertain, this event was a testament to the dedication and steadfast unity that the cause of animal protection rallies.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
We all make decisions every day that impact animals, from the food we eat to the products we purchase to our entertainment choices. Often, the first step toward changing the world for animals is to recognize the importance of our individual decisions. The very next step is becoming savvy about saving animals through systemic reform, learning how to protect the animals in our larger communities.
By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block
From the perspective of public policy, there are certain cruelties that seem to hang around forever, even when their depravity is abundantly evident, defying―in a way―the political equivalent of gravity. Horse soring, which involves the very intentional infliction of pain and suffering on Tennessee walking horses and related breeds in the show world, is just that kind of cruelty.
