The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced March 20 it is further postponing the effective date of the Horse Protection Act final rule to Feb. 1, 2026. APHIS is also taking public comment on the delay.
On Jan. 24, APHIS announced it was postponing the effective date of the rule for 60 days from Feb. 1 to April 2, with the exception of the section authorizing the training of horse inspectors, which previously went into effect on June 7, 2024.
The latest action means APHIS will further postpone the effective date for the rule, other than the training section, to Feb. 1, 2026. Additionally, APHIS is requesting public comments on whether the agency should further extend the length of this postponement and is also soliciting additional information to help decide on the appropriate length of the delay.
The docket is currently on public inspection and will be available for comment at the following address beginning on March 21: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/APHIS-2022-0004. The comment period will close on May 20.
On March 14, APHIS shared an information update to stakeholders for the upcoming horse show season in light of a recent court decision impacting the new rule.
The HPA is a federal law that prohibits sored horses from participating in shows, exhibitions, sales or auctions. The HPA also prohibits the transportation of sored horses to or from any of these events.
The action was noted by the American Horse Council and encouraged members to continue to be involved in the process. The AHC has been in regular contact with USDA.
“Be assured that the AHC remains committed to actively engaging with the USDA to seek further advisories and clarifications on the implementation of the Horse Protection Act’s final rule,” the organization stated in a news release. ”We will keep you informed of any updates and developments as they arise.”
Members are encouraged to contact AHC at info@horsecouncil.org with questions or comments.
