Summary

Cracks down on horse soring at shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions by requiring science‑based “objective inspections,” mandatory disqualification of sore horses, and stronger, independent oversight of inspectors. It adds new definitions, updates findings to note problems with past enforcement, and directs the Department of Agriculture to stand up and certify a new Horse Industry Organization to run licensing and inspection programs with strict conflict‑of‑interest rules. The Department of Agriculture must issue regulations within 180 days to implement these changes. The goal is to make inspections more reliable, reduce industry influence over inspectors, and deter abuse through clear disqualifications and stronger enforcement.

Key Points

• Requires science‑based, peer‑reviewed swab‑and‑blood testing as the standard for inspections.
• Mandates disqualification of any horse found to be sore at shows, exhibitions, sales, or auctions.
• Creates a new Horse Industry Organization to run inspections and licensing under USDA certification.
• Imposes conflict‑of‑interest restrictions on licensed inspectors to improve independence.
• Acknowledges USDA Inspector General findings that prior inspections were inadequate.
• Directs USDA to issue implementing regulations within 180 days.
• Clarifies enforcement and certification rules to support objective testing and consistent penalties.
• Aims to deter soring by combining objective evidence with mandatory penalties and independent oversight.

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