PAST Act of 2025

The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act of 2025 would amend the Horse Protection Act to crack down on the practice of 'soring,' which involves intentionally hurting certain show horses' legs and hooves to create an exaggerated high-stepping gait for competitive events. The bill would ban chains, stacked and weighted shoes, and similar devices used on Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses at shows and sales, while still allowing truly protective or medical equipment.

The bill would strengthen enforcement by replacing industry-controlled inspectors with inspectors licensed and overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It would also increase penalties for violations, including fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to 3 years, and would allow lifetime bans from shows for repeat offenders. The bill has bipartisan support with over 200 co-sponsors and is currently in committee consideration. If enacted, it would likely reduce animal cruelty in these specific horse show circuits, with minimal costs to the federal government since event organizers would bear the cost of inspectors.