Horse protection act

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MQHA LEGISLATIVE REPORT APRIL 2026

RULE CHANGES

IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT AQHA RULES GOVERNING USE OF DEXAMETHASONE

April 7: Beginning in 2025, AQHA lowered the maximum permitted plasma concentration of

dexamethasone from the 2024 threshold of 3.0 ng/mL to 0.5 ng/mL. Starting July 1, 2026, the

standard protocol for positive drug-testing cases will be implemented for any findings exceeding

the updated threshold of 0.5 ng/mL. All applicable cases will be reviewed and processed in

accordance with established procedures.

For detailed dosing recommendations and context, please refer to Rule VIO405.12, located on

Page 48 of the 2026 AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.

CONCERNING HORSES

The EDCC March report of equine diseases will be posted at the end of this report.

https://equinediseasecc.org/news/article/EDCC-March-2026-Statistics

CONCERNING AGRICULTURE

PRODUCTION LIVESTOCK POLICY

April 24: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is soliciting

input on a proposed Montana Board of Land Commissioners (Land Board) policy on grazing leases

until May 24, 2026. The department will review all comments and prepare a policy for Land Board

review at an upcoming Land Board meeting.

If approved, the proposed policy would govern agency decision-making regarding the prioritization

of grazing leases and would apply to the issuance or renewal of grazing leases occurring after

approval.

For more information, to read the draft policy and to submit comments visit:

https://dnrc.mt.gov/News/dnrc-news/scoping-notice-land-board-policy

https://dnrc.mt.gov/_docs/Trust-Land/AgGrazingDocs/Proposed-Policy.pdf

THE FEDERAL RECOGNITION OF “AGRICULTURAL LAWFARE” – THE KING RANCH CASE

March 2: On February 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its Farmer and

Rancher Freedom Framework to End Agricultural Lawfare. The press release warned that

farmers and ranchers across the country are increasingly being subjected to coordinated legal and

regulatory pressure campaigns designed - not merely to ensure compliance — but to burden,

intimidate, and economically exhaust agricultural producers.The King Ranch case fits that description with striking precision. Wade and Teresa King — multi-

generational ranchers in central Washington —now face

• a $267,000 fine,

• potential $3.7 million in demands for restoration of 32 alleged wetlands,

• secretive criminal investigation,

• ongoing administrative prosecution, and

• a judicial assignment that raises structural impartiality concerns

April 23: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform had a full committee roundtable

titled “Farming on Trial: The Growing Use of Lawfare Against American Agriculture.” Chairman

James Comer (R-Ky.) noted how progressive, left-wing administrations have been weaponizing

burdensome regulations against American farmers, causing harm to their livelihoods and

reasserted the House Oversight Committee’s commitment to bringing them justice and reforming

manipulative agriculture policies.

R-CALF USA Property Rights Chair Shad Sullivan testified that environmental organizations have

become highly effective in driving federal and state land grabs. The nature conservancy has been

at the forefront of these efforts, while the World Wildlife Fund, which has claimed that cattle are

killing the planet, have partnered with agricultural trade associations to influence policy. Many

NGOs receive millions in federal funding each year and use tactics like ‘sue and settle’ to shape

outcomes. Overlapping leadership between these organizations, government agencies, and

universities creates a closed loop of influence that drives policy, messaging, and enforcement.

Sullivan argued these reflect a broader shift toward centralized control of land and resources,

threatening agricultural production, rural communities, and national food security. As part of his

testimony, Sullivan called on the committee to investigate Washington state’s actions affecting the

King Ranch.

Formal comments submitted last week by R-CALF USA raised concerns about a proposed transfer

of more than 12,000 acres of state grazing land tied directly to the King family’s operation. In those

comments, R-CALF USA stated that proceeding with the transfer before adjudication of the

underlying allegations “would be at best opportunistic and at worst sinister.”

https://wjustice.org/articles/c/Ranching/b/king-ranch-case-agricultural-lawfare-institutional-

control-and-the-constitution

https://www.tsln.com/news/house-oversight-roundtable-examines-agricultural-lawfare-r-calf-

usa-urges-oversight-of-king-ranch-case/

https://www.r-calfusa.com/house-oversight-roundtable-examines-agricultural-lawfare-r-calf-usa-

urges-oversight-of-king-ranch-case/

https://files.constantcontact.com/89c20b46201/f31c215a-41cf-48fc-a340-

9a39e0bc8962.pdf?rdr=true

https://oversight.house.gov/release/chairman-comer-lawfare-puts-american-agriculture-at-risk/

https://oversight.house.gov/release/wrap-up-burdensome-regulations-harm-farmers-and-

ranchers/