The

Horse 

Protection Act

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Federal Oversight For More Information

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employs 

its own inspectors to attend horse events and conduct 

unannounced inspections to oversee the DQPs’ work. 

We evaluate their inspection procedures, observe horses 

during events, and may also examine the horses for signs 

of soring. USDA inspectors also attend events that do 

not retain DQPs to check for compliance with the Horse 

Protection Act.

To learn more about the HPA, or if you suspect 

soring and want to submit a complaint, go to 

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-welfare and 

click on “Horse Protection Act.”

You can also contact:

USDA, APHIS, Animal Care

2150 Centre Ave., Building B, Mailstop 3W11 

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117

(970) 494-7478

horseprotection@usda.gov

Photo Credits: (in order of appearance) Images are by USDA, 

R. Anson Eaglin; Kevin Wilken; Kelly Maxwell; Jennifer Wolf; 

file photo; and Curtis King. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Program Aid No. 1827

Revised October 2019 

Slightly revised November 2020
USDA inspectors may use diagnostic technology—such as digital 

radiographs (x-rays) and swabbing/chemical testing—during their 

exams to help identify sore horses. 

Did You Know?

USDA has two goals in administering 

the Horse Protection Act:

•eliminate the cruel and inhumane practice 

 of soring 

•promote fair competition 

The Horse Protection Act

illegal, people who use soring to accentuate their horse’s 

gait have an unfair advantage and damage the integrity 

of the breed and industry.

Monitoring for Soring

Most event managers hire Designated Qualified Persons 

(DQPs) to monitor for sore horses at their events and help 

make sure they do not participate. DQPs are typically 

farriers, trainers, or other individuals with extensive 

knowledge of horses. They also must be licensed by a 

USDA-certified horse industry organization and meet 

Horse Protection Act standards. 

DQPs physically inspect every Tennessee Walking Horse 

and racking horse before they can take part in the event. 

DQPs evaluate a horse’s movements and appearance. 

What Is Soring?

Soring refers to the application of certain substances or 

devices to a horse’s legs to cause physical pain or lameness when walking. There are many ways to make a horse 

sore, including: irritating or blistering a horse’s forelegs by 

applying caustic chemicals, using painful devices, 

inflicting cuts or burns, improperly trimming hooves to 

expose sensitive parts of the foot, or using pressure 

shoeing techniques. When a horse that has been abused 

in this way steps on the ground, it responds by quickly 

lifting its front legs to relieve the pain.

Horses such as Tennessee Walking Horses are known 

for having a naturally smooth, high-stepping gait. Some 

individuals will sore their horses to get the horse to step 

higher and/or faster. In addition to being painful and 

Soring

makes it unlawful for any person to show, 

exhibit, sell, or transport sore horses—or 

to use prohibited equipment or substances 

in these activities. Under this Federal law, 

the managers of these events must make 

sure sore horses do not participate. People 

who violate the Horse Protection Act may 

be subject to criminal or civil charges.

They also physically inspect its forelegs, looking for 

abnormal tissue, inflammation, pain, abrasions, 

blood, and prohibited equipment and substances. 

Lastly, they re-inspect every first-place horse after each 

competitive event.

DQPs must report any horse that is sore or otherwise 

noncompliant with the Horse Protection Act or regulations 

to event managers. Event managers are legally 

responsible for disqualifying sore horses.