The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) sent a letter in July to the United States Department of Agriculture petitioning the USDA to change the HPA.  The letter asks Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to seek regulatory changes to the HPA.  The letter stated, "We respectfully petition for a comprehensive revision of the HPA regulations, 9 C.F.R. Part 11, and submit the attached proposal for such revision, anticipating that it will be published in the Federal Register."

The changes requested to the HPA would include the prohibition of action devices, pads, shoes over 22oz and the removal of the Horse Industry Organization (HIO) programs in favor of USDA licensed inspectors.  The AAEP and AVMA have been close allies of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) on PAST Act, which was written by HSUS and the regulatory changes mirror the provisions of the PAST Act.  HSUS, along with the AAEP and AVMA, have been unsuccessful in their attempts for passage of the PAST Act.

This petition seeks an alternative path for those organizations to achieve their goals of eliminating the equipment used in the Tennessee Walking Horse, Racking Horse and Spotted Saddle Horse industries.

Click here to view the letter and petition.