The Humane Society of the United States renews push to protect Tennessee walking horses from soring cruelty

The Humane Society of the United States renews push to protect Tennessee walking horses from soring cruelty

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.