LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE - BRITT KISSOCK-ROBINSON, CHAIR
August 27, 2025 Legislative Report submitted by: Britt Kissock-Robinson, Legislative Chair
AQHA/MQHA RULES/CHANGES
AQHA Executive Committee Approves NEW RANCHING RULES
The AQHA Executive Committee recently reviewed and approved rule changes from the AQHA Ranching Committee. These were approved by the AQHA membership and the Board of Directors at the 2025 AQHA Convention in March. All rules are effective January 1, 2026, unless noted otherwise.
The highlights of the approved Ranching Committee recommendations are as follows:
· Amend SHW564.2 VRH Limited Ranch Cow Work as follows:
§ – 5 point:
§ Spurring or hitting in front of cinch at any time or excessively whipping or spurring the horse;
§ blatant disobedience, defined as kicking, biting, bucking, rearing, striking or obviously insubordinate;
§ running the cow into the back fence with force;
§ contestant not in a working position that causes the cow to initiate at least one turn/change of direction on the second boxing phase before crossing the timeline and terminating the work;
§ use of either hand to instill fear.
· Amend SHW422.6 and SHW561.7 as follows:
§ Drag an object: For open and amateur classes ONLY, the drag is not to be used in any youth or Rookie/Level 1 amateur classes. Drag may be a complete figure eight and may begin in either direction. The exhibitor must have the rope dallied on the saddle horn (half or fully dally) or attached to a fixed ring near the cinch (international events only) for the duration of the drag.
· Amend SHW422.7 and SHW561.8 as follows:
§ Optional obstacles may be used provided the obstacles can be found in everyday ranch work. Optional obstacles from which selections can be made include, but are not limited to:
§ A jump obstacle whose center height is not less than 14 inches high or more than 25 inches high and is at least 5 feet from side to side at the approach. Holding the saddle horn is permissible for this obstacle.
· Amend SHW305.5: …in trail, ranch trail, ranch riding, VRH ranch trail and VRH/RHC ranch riding, it is permissible to change hands on the reins or carry the extension in the rein hand to work an obstacle…
· Recommend a task force on the feasibility of creating a recognition program for employees (ranch hands, veterinarians, etc.) of Ranching Heritage Breeders.
https://www.equinechronicle.com/2025-ranch-rule-changes/
CONCERNING HORSES
THE HORSE PROTECTION ACT – No updates
FYI: Equine Activity Liability Laws
Currently, 48 states have enacted laws which limit the liability of equine sponsors and professionals, veterinarians, or others, for the injury or death of a participant as a result of, or due to the inherent risk of equine activity or agricultural tourism activities. Two states do not have any laws regarding equine activity liability (California and Maryland).
It is the policy of the state of Montana that a person is not liable for damages sustained by another solely as a result of risks inherent in equine activities if those risks are or should be reasonably obvious, expected, or necessary to persons engaged in equine activities.
Liability is not limited by this statute where the equine professional knowingly provided faulty tack or equipment, failed to make reasonable and prudent efforts to determine the ability of the participant to engage safely in the equine activity, owns or otherwise is in lawful possession of the land or facilities upon which the participant sustained injuries because of a known, dangerous latent condition, or if he or she commits an act or omission that constitutes willful or wanton disregard for the safety of the participant or intentionally injures the participant.
CONCERNING AGRICULTURE
Department of Livestock Reports Brucellosis Affected Herd in Beaverhead County
August 15: The Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) received confirmation that an animal from a Beaverhead County herd within Montana’s Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) tested positive for brucellosis. The herd has been placed under quarantine pending the completion of an epidemiological investigation.
The positive bull was identified as a brucellosis suspect during required testing at a livestock market in late July. The animal was euthanized and taken for necropsy at the Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MVDL) where tissues were collected and sent to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa for confirmatory testing. NVSL was able to grow the Brucella abortus organism from one of the lymph nodes collected from the animal.
New World Screwworm UPDATE
August 25: A human case of flesh-eating screwworm was detected in the United States related to the latest outbreak of the parasite in Central America, according to officials. The patient had recently returned to Maryland after traveling to El Salvador. Travel-related cases of screwworm pose a low threat to the public health of the United States.
The case, however, will likely shake the cattle ranchers, beef producers and livestock traders who were already put on alert about potential screwworm infestations. The USDA has estimated a screwworm outbreak could cost the economy in Texas, the biggest U.S. cattle-producing state, about $1.8 billion in livestock deaths, labor costs and medication expenses.
