PAST Act of 2021

The Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act of 2021 aims to eliminate the practice of "soring," which involves intentionally inflicting pain on a horse’s legs or hooves to produce a high-stepping gait for competitions. The bill would ban the use of certain devices, such as weighted shoes and chains, and replace the current industry-led self-policing system with independent inspectors licensed by the Department of Agriculture. For citizens involved in the equine industry, this legislation would result in stricter enforcement at horse shows and auctions, as well as significantly increased criminal and civil penalties for those found in violation of animal welfare standards.