The Performance Show Horse Association would like to extend an invitation to all state associations and related industry stakeholders to attend a meeting to inform you of the recent legislative developments with regards to the industry. The content of the meeting will center around the status of the Whitfield PAST Act, the introduction of alternative legislation, supported by TWHBEA, WHTA and TWHNC and an update on the PSHA endorsed HIO.

The PAST Act currently has approximately 265 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and is supported by most every major Veterinarian association in the country. However, the PAST Act devastates the Tennessee Walking Horse, Racking Horse and Spotted Saddle Horse industries and goes well beyond its stated intent of eliminating soring. The Act calls for the complete abolishment of weighted shoes, pads and action devices which would eliminate over 85% of the current divisions in the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry. It’s sponsor Ed Whitfield has stated “there is no reason for any horse to have a pad or action device unless you are soring them.” Needless to say, that statement is completely false and needs corrected.

The alternative legislation would call for an elimination of the current HIO system, the formation of an independent, single HIO and the use of an objective inspection protocols to eradicate soring but not eliminate the industry. The show horse is in for a fight and that includes not only the padded TWH but also the pleasure TWH, Racking Horse and Spotted Saddle Horse. None of these are exempt from the devastating provisions of the PAST Act.

PSHA was created to consolidate industry enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) in a fair and consistent manner to protect the well-being of performance horses, while maintaining the integrity of their sport. PSHA has assumed financial responsibility for industry lobbying, public relations, research and scientific support of objective inspection protocols and implementation of such. PSHA would like to discuss its future and how to fund these objectives through a membership model, fees on inspection, fundraising and other ideas stakeholders may have.

PSHA will host a meeting in Shelbyville in conjunction with the Trainers’ Show on Friday March 14, 2014 at 4PM in the Calsonic Conference Room. In addition to this meeting PSHA is willing to send board members and other representatives retained by PSHA to your association or area for a meeting of stakeholders. This dilemma extends beyond geographical boundaries, disciplines of the show horse and any specific breed. The Humane Society of the United States is doing everything it can to eliminate the show horse and is supporting the PAST Act vigorously with both influence and finances.

Please email Jim Cortner at jcortner71@aol.com to schedule a meeting. We appreciate your willingness to help save the show horse industry. For more information on PSHA visit www.PSHA1.com.