The Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2025 (PAST Act of 2025) amends the Horse Protection Act to tighten and broaden prohibitions against soring and related practices in the horse industry. The bill expands what counts as unlawful acts, strengthens penalties for violations, and overhauls how the Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces the law. Major changes include new definitions (notably “action device” and “participate”), enhanced enforcement mechanisms (licensing inspectors, mandatory citations, public disclosure of violations), and stiffer consequences for violators (higher fines, longer or potential permanent disqualification from shows). The aim is to reduce soring and related deceptive practices in breed-focused shows, exhibitions, and sales, particularly for Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses. Potential impact: greater oversight at horse shows, increased accountability for exhibitors and show management, and a higher compliance burden on industry participants. The measures are designed to deter soring through clearer prohibitions, mandatory inspections by licensed personnel, public reporting of violations, and escalating penalties for repeat offenses.
Key Points
- 1Expanded unlawful acts and definitions: Adds new terms such as “action device” (boots, collars, chains, etc., that cause friction or strike the hoof area) and “participate” (involvement in show-related activities beyond mere spectating). Excludes certain protective devices. Also broadens offenses to include causing a horse to become sore and directing others to do so, and adds new prohibited devices like weighted shoes or pads used to alter gait.
- 2Licensing and enforcement at horse events: Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to license, train, and oversee inspectors who can detect soreness at shows, exhibitions, or sales. Shows may hire licensed inspectors, with management notifying the Secretary in advance and the Secretary assigning inspectors. Licenses must be free from conflicts of interest, and licenses can be revoked for poor performance, with preference given to veterinarians.
- 3Increased penalties and disqualification: Raises penalties for violations (e.g., fines up to $5,000 per violation and up to 3 years in prison). Adds provisions for disqualification orders (first soreness leads to at least 180-day disqualification, second to at least 1 year, third to at least 3 years) and allows permanent disqualification for third or subsequent violations under certain conditions.
- 4Show management duties and transparency: Requires show management to notify the Secretary about intent to hire licensed inspectors and to publish violative findings. It also mandates the Secretary to publicly post information about violations on the USDA APHIS website to help show organizers assess the eligibility of individuals to participate.
- 5Regulatory timeline and severability: Requires the Secretary to issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment and includes a severability clause to keep remaining provisions in force if any part is found unconstitutional.