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Horse Protection Act

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The Horse Protection Act is a Federal law that prohibits sored horses from

participating in shows, exhibitions, sales or auctions. It also prohibits the

transportation of sored horses to or from any of these events.

Soring is a cruel and inhumane practice used to accentuate a horse’s gait. It is

accomplished by irritating or blistering a horse’s forelegs with chemical irritants
(such as mustard oil) or mechanical devices. Walking horses are known for

possessing a naturally smooth gait, but in order to be more successful in

competitions their gait will often be exaggerated. 

File an Animal Welfare Complaint

To file a complaint regarding soring, use our online form. 

Start Here

About the Horse Protection Act

Horse Protection Act and Regulations

Horse Protection Act 

U.S. Code Title 15-Commerce and Trade, Chapter 44- Protection of Horses, Sections

1821-1831

Horse Protection Regulations 

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9 - Animals and Animal Products, Chapter I-Animal

and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, Part 11

Rules of Practice Governing Proceedings Under the Horse Protection Act 

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9-Animals and Animal Products, Chapter I-Animal

and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture, Part 12

Inspection

The Horse Protection Act is administered by APHIS. A 1976 amendment to the Act

led to the establishment of the Designated Qualified Person (DQP) program. A DQP

must be an individual who meets APHIS' regulatory requirements and is licensed by

a Horse Industry Organization (HIO) certified by the Department. 

APHIS works with certified HIOs and licensed DQPs to help ensure the effective

identification of sored horses, that proper penalties are imposed, and that the goal

of eliminating the practice of soring is achieved. APHIS officials also monitor as many

unaffiliated horse shows (i.e., horse shows that do not hire licensed DQPs) as time
and resources allow.

APHIS monitors HIO compliance by reviewing show management, HIO, and DQP

reports that are filed with the agency, and by conducting audits of records

maintained by the certified DQP programs. APHIS Veterinary Medical Officers (VMO)

also attend selected shows and sales to evaluate HIOs' inspection procedures and

the performance of individual DQPs.

USDA Inspection Process Training Video

USDA Inspection Process Training Video-Performance Horse

Responsibilities of Horse Show Management 

Overview of Inspections Conducted under the Horse Protection Act 

Responsibilities of Horse Exhibitors and Transporters under Horse Protection Act 

Examination Technology

VMOs may use additional diagnostic technology during their examinations to obtain

objective and scientific data to help identify sore horses.

USDA Prohibited Substance Sampling Process Training Video

Enforcement

APHIS may bring administrative or criminal complaints against alleged violators of

the HPA. Administrative complaints may result in civil penalties of not more than

$2,000 for each violation, and an order disqualifying the violator from showing or

exhibiting horses or otherwise participating in any horse event except as a

spectator.  Periods of disqualification are determined on a case-by-case basis but
must be no less than 1 year for the first violation and no less than 5 years for any

subsequent violations. Civil penalties of up to $3,000 can be assessed for a violation

of an order of disqualification. The Act also authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to

provide for the settlement of cases.

The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec.

701 of Pub. L. 114-74) requires agencies to adjust their civil monetary penalties for

inflation annually. These adjustments are reflected in 7 C.F.R. 3.91(b)(2)(viii) and (ix)

and serve to maintain the deterrent effect of civil penalties.

Criminal proceedings may be initiated against individuals who knowingly violate the

Act. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $3,000 and 1 year in prison for a first

offense. Each subsequent violation may result in fines of up to $5,000 and

imprisonment for up to 2 years.

Administrative Law Judge Decisions in HPA Cases 

To view HPA decisions, go to Advanced Search and select Horse Protection Act from

the "Act" drop down menu.

USDA HPA Federal Disqualification and Civil Penalty List 

Horse Industry Organization and Designated Qualified Persons

A Designated Qualified Person (DQP) is a person who may be appointed and

delegated authority by the management of any horse show, exhibition, or auction, to

detect or diagnose horses which are sore or to otherwise inspect horses and records

to enforce the HPA.

The USDA does not license DQPs on an individual basis. Licensing of DQPs is

accomplished through certified DQP programs maintained by Horse Industry

Organizations (HIOs). An HIO is an organized group of people engaged in the

promotion of horses through, among other things, the showing, exhibiting, sale,

auction, or registration of horses. An HIO must apply to the USDA to certify its DQP

Program. The USDA will not certify or will de-certify any DQP Program that is not in

compliance with the HPA Regulations.

Licensed DQPs receive inspection assignments to various shows and sales through

certified HIOs. While affiliation with a certified HIO and the use of licensed DQPs is

not mandatory, most horse show and sale managers choose to use DQPs to reduce

their liability under the Act if a horse is shown or sold while sore. When the
management of a show, sale, auction, or exhibition does not affiliate with a certified

HIO to secure inspections by a licensed DQP, show management and other

responsible individuals are held accountable for any violations of the HPA that occur

at the event.

HIO Certification Process [Tech Note] 

List of Certified Horse Industry Organizations 

List of Designated Qualified Person (DQP) 

HPA DQP Training Test 

Horse Protection Program Reports

Horse Protection Program Show Activity Reports

FY24 Event Activity Report

FY23 Event Activity Report

2022 Show Activity Reports

Horse Protection Program Annual Activity Reports

USDA Horse Protection Program FY2022 Activity Report

Additional Information

The Horse Protection Act (Brochure)

Contact Us

Animal Care Program

Email: animalcare@usda.gov

Phone: 970-494-7478

Fax: 970-494-7461

Mailing Address:
2150 Centre Ave.

Bldg. B, Mailstop 3W11

Fort Collins, CO 80526