Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund highlight bipartisan momentum, as conservative voices close to President Trump encourage the White House and Congress to stop the cruel practice of soring
WASHINGTON (December 13, 2025)—As equine enthusiasts and animal supporters across the country celebrate the National Day of the Horse, Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund (formerly called Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund) are bringing attention to the need to protect Tennessee Walking Horse and related breeds from soring to exaggerate a horse’s gait for “Big Lick” competitions.
Despite the Horse Protection Act being on the books for more than 50 years, enforcement gaps and the long-standing reliance on industry self-policing have allowed this practice to persist. However, the Trump Administration is in a strong position to course correct and put an end to the painful and illegal practice of horse soring.
Horse welfare concern resonates across the political spectrum. There are 205 members of Congress currently cosponsoring the bipartisan Prevent All Soring Tactics Act (H.R. 1684), which would end the failed system of industry self-policing, ban the use of devices integral to soring and strengthen penalties for violators. Additionally, in a newly syndicated op-ed, Roger Stone and conservative commentator Christian Josi underscore the urgent need for meaningful reform of the walking horse industry:
“The industry should be more frightened now,” write Stone and Josi. “There is a clear path forward, and the Big Lick crowd knows it: the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act. It passed the House twice with overwhelming bipartisan support.”
The full commentary, “Horse Abusers Smell Freedom,” is available on StoneZone.com, with a follow up piece, “Cruelty Is Not Tradition: The Universal Case for Ending Horse Soring,” published on PJ Media.
Humane World for Animals has a long history of advocating for stronger protection for Tennessee Walking Horses and related breeds and is actively working to end soring together with Humane World Action Fund by urging the USDA to step up enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, applauding Congress for providing needed funding, and supporting passage of the PAST Act.
“As we honor horses today, we must also honor our shared responsibility to protect them from deliberate abuse like soring,” said Chelsea Perez, senior program manager, equine protection at Humane World for Animals. “This cruelty against walking horses must end and federal action can make that happen.”
“The resistance to reform comes from a narrow segment of the industry,” said Jennifer Eskra, legislative director of Humane World Action Fund. “Veterinarians, farriers, trainers and breed organizations overwhelmingly support stronger protections. What is needed now is federal action to strengthen protections for horses.”
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Download Photos/Video of investigations concerning horse soring.
Media Contact: Liz Bartolomeo: 240-472-0475, ebartolomeo@humaneworld.org
About Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund
For over 70 years, the Humane World family has worked to tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to permanent change. Formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International and Humane Society Legislative Fund, we operate in over 50 countries with millions of supporters. Through advocacy, policy change, public education and direct care, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Together, we are creating a humane world.
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Media Contact:
Liz Bartolomeo
240-472-0475
ebartolomeo@humaneworld.org