Supporters of the Tennessee Walking Horse industry were encouraged by Rep. Ed Whitfield’s statement conceding that the PAST Act will not likely come up for a vote in the remaining few weeks of this Congress.  Alternative legislation, focused on ending soring, rather than the PAST Act’s elimination of the industry, will continue to be advocated as they represent real reforms that are based on sound science, objective testing and independent oversight.

The Performance Show Horse Association has worked diligently to promote Representative Blackburn’s and Senator Alexander’s legislation based upon these sound common-sense objectives and principles.  "Our thanks go out to Members of Congress who sponsored alternative bills—H.R. 4098 sponsored by Rep. Marsha Blackburn and S. 2193 sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander.  Both of these bills are based on ending soring through the use of science-based objective testing and independent inspections that protect our horses without eliminating the industry. In doing so, they are helping fight to save an industry that supports more than 20,000 jobs and generates $3.2 billion in economic impact,” said PSHA Chairman Jim Cortner.

“We will continue to push for reforms that eliminate soring while preserving our industry and would encourage Representative Whitfield to work with the industry instead of opposing the reforms we are working to implement. We will continue working to educate Members and the public about our industry, our 98% inspection compliance rate and the common-sense changes we hope to utilize and, at the same time, challenge the misrepresentations and misinformation Congress and the general public have received from the radical anti-agriculture Humane Society of the United States.  Mr. Whitfield’s statement reflects his continued belief in this HSUS message and we would like to extend an invitation to the Congressman to attend a Tennessee Walking Horse show or The Celebration so that he can see the true condition of these horses and view for himself the rigorous inspection each horse goes through prior to every single competition.” 

It is, unfortunately, evident from his statement that Rep. Whitfield, along with the Humane Society of the United States, will continue to push for legislation to eliminate the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.  Because of this fact, PSHA encourages supporters of this great breed to rally around the legislation being sponsored by Representative Blackburn and Senator Alexander and help advocate for these common-sense solutions that effectively eliminate soring and promotes the welfare of our horses.