Today, the USDA officially withdraw the rule that would have eliminated the action device, pads and Horse Industry Organizations.  The withdrawal was made public at the Federal Register, where the rule was originally set to be published today, January 24, 2017.  On Friday, January 20th, President Trump ordered that all rules submitted to the Office of the Federal Register (OFR), but not yet be published, be suspended pending review by the new administration.

The withdrawal suspends any action by the USDA to remove the action devices or pads and HIOs will continue to conduct inspections alongside Veterinary Medical Officers from the USDA.  The notice at the OFR read, "APHIS requested the withdrawal of this document after it was on public inspection. It will remain on public inspection until the close of business on January 24. A copy of the withdrawal request is available at the Office of the Federal Register."

The withdrawal of the rule does not mean that the rule can't be issued in the future. This is a temporary status allowing the new administration time to review the rule and at that point the rule could be issued in the same form as was originally scheduled to be published on January 24, 2017, changed or permanently withdrawn.