By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Two bills reintroduced to the U.S. Congress this week could prevent the protracted suffering of so many horses: One would outlaw the painful soring techniques some trainers still inflict on horses to force them into the “Big Lick,” an exaggerated gait for horse shows, and the other would ban horse slaughter in the U.S. as a matter of federal law and end the export of American horses for slaughter in other countries. You can act now to show your support for ending these cruelties.

We have a new name—Humane World Action Fund—and an ambitious agenda, grounded in the mission we’ve pursued for several decades: to deliver positive and permanent policy outcomes for animals. We are as committed as ever to bringing laws into greater alignment with humane values—the values of kindness, compassion and fairness to all creatures. These are values we share with tens of millions of people not simply within the United States but throughout the world.

The Humane Society of the United States renews push to protect Tennessee walking horses from soring cruelty

The Humane Society of the United States renews push to protect Tennessee walking horses from soring cruelty

WASHINGTON (Oct. 15, 2024)—For over a decade, the Humane Society of the United States has pushed for stronger enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to close gaps in its oversight that  have perpetuated horse soring, an illegal and abusive practice that forces Tennessee walking horses and related breeds to perform the exaggerated "Big Lick" gait. In April 2024, the USDA finalized a long-awaited rule to eliminate the failed system of industry self-policing and the use of devices integral to soring.

Our annual legislative scorecard is a trusted source for evaluating the animal protection commitments of elected officials at the federal level. This preview version of our 2024 Humane Scorecard allows you to determine where your federal legislators stand now on key animal protection priorities. It also gives you a chance to encourage them to strengthen their support―and their ratings―before the 118th Congress wraps up and we publish the final version in January 2025.

Joint statement from the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund concerning alleged BLM wild horse abuse

Joint statement from the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund concerning alleged BLM wild horse abuse

WASHINGTON (July 31, 2024)—The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund are deeply disturbed by video footage that appears to show a Bureau of Land Management contractor kicking a wild horse in the face during a roundup operation on the Blue Wing Complex in Nevada. This willful act of cruelty is unacceptable, and we call upon the BLM to suspend its contract with this party immediately pending a thorough investigation.

Subscribe to Equines