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10/01/2025
AQHA Statement Regarding HPA
Dear AQHA Members:
Beginning February 1, 2025, a change to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) will expand the scope of the HPA to allow USDA-APHIS inspectors to inspect horses for intentional soring at all horse shows, exhibitions, and sales. The HPA was originally passed in 1970 to prevent the intentional soring of Tennessee Walking Horses, racking horses and spotted saddle horses.
AQHA is actively engaging the Trump transition team to ensure that the HPA will not negatively affect AQHA and its members. Additionally, AQHA has been communicating daily with industry partners regarding efforts to contest and/or delay the February 1, 2024 implementation of the changes to the HPA.
AQHA will continue to share information regarding details and the process and will pass along that information as more becomes known.