Horse protection act

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RULE CHANGE PROPOSALS

Each spring, AQHA holds a convention to review AQHA rules and policies. During the convention, member-submitted rule changes and suggestions are also reviewed. The opportunity to propose new rules or changes allows members to voice their ideas and help continue to improve AQHA for future generations. If you are an AQHA member, you can submit a suggestion for a rule change for the AQHA Official Handbook. All proposals are due by December 31 of each year. To submit a rule-change proposal, go to the below site: https://www.aqha.com/-/rule-change-proposals-1CONCERNING HORSES CURRENT LEGISLATION

Current legislative bills regarding horses include the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, which aims to permanently ban horse slaughter for human consumption and prohibit the export of horses for slaughter. Additionally, the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act seeks to strengthen protections against the cruel practice of soring in the horse industry.  I could not find any updates on either bill.

OREGON PETITION COULD CRIMINALIZE EQUINE BREEDING

(No Updates on Initiative Petition 28 (IP28))

HORSES IN OUR HANDS REPORTS USDA INCLUDES HORSES AS COMPANION ANIMALS

Sept. 21: Horses In Our Hands reported on Facebook that the USDA includes horses in the newcompanion animal welfare effort. However, when clicking on the article HIOH provided, horses arenot specifically mentioned: “Having delivered two dozen animal welfare priorities, the

Administration, through APHIS, is taking new steps to strengthen dog and fellow companion animal welfare …”

The article continues with the accomplishments of the current administration re animal welfare, but again, there is no mention of the horse being included as a companion animal.  https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/09/21/usda-announces-actions-marking-new-era-animal-welfare EDCC STATISTICS

The following number of cases were reported from July 1 – August 30:

• Eastern Equine Encephalitis

o Florida – 4

o Georgia - 1

• Equine Herpesvirus – Respiratory

o Wisconcin – 1

• Equine Herpesvirus – Neurologic

o Ontario - 2

• Equine Infectious Anemia

o Alberta – 1

o British Colombia – 1

o Florida – 1

o Minnesota – 1

o Nevada – 3

o Texas – 3

o Washington - 2

• Equine Influenza

o Michigan – 2

o Nebraska – 2

o Oregon – 1

o Wisconsin – 1

• Pigeon Fever

o Montana – 5

o Oregon – 2

o Wyoming – 5

• Potomac Horse Fever

o Alberta – 1

o Tennessee - 4

o Wisconsin - 2

• Strangles

o Alberta – 2

o California – 1

o Florida – 6

o Idaho – 1

o Michigan – 4

o Montana – 1

o Nebraska – 1

o North Dakota – 1

o Ontario – 1

o Oregon – 2

o Washington – 3

o Wisconsin - 12

• West Nile Virus

o Arizona – 1

o California – 7

o Georgia – 2

o Idaho – 1

o Indiana – 1

o Kansas – 2

o Louisiana – 1

o Minnesota – 2

o North Dakota – 1

o Ontario – 2

o Oregon – 2

o Utah – 12

o Washington – 2

o Wyoming - 2

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

CONCERNING AGRICULTURE

TEXAS RELEASES NWS INFESTED ZONES

Sept. 21: The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has released one New World screwworm (NWS) infested zone in Texas and modified another, with concurrence from USDA’s Animal andPlant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). These actions come after State and Federal subject matter experts confirmed that the areas met requirements outlined in APHIS’ New World Screwworm Response Playbook (884.59 KB) for zone release. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/texas-releases-new-world-screwworm-infested-zones

VALUE ADDED AGRICULTURE

Sept. 18: USDA Rural Development is awarding of over $26 million to farmers and agricultural producers across the country through the USDA Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program. Entities can use these grant funds to develop value-added agricultural products, conduct market research, and implement business and marketing strategies. Applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant program are typically accepted for processing from agricultural producers between

January and May, depending on when program funding is allocated.

https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/09/18/usda-invests-americas-beef-and-ag-producers-funding-value-added-agriculture

EXECUTIVE ACTION FOR AMERICAN RANCHERS

Sept 4: President Trump took executive action to support ranchers, including these key provisions:

• Combat Predation (for ranchers to protect the cattle they raise)

• Country of Origin Labeling

• Advancing Competition and Accountability (in livestock & meat markets)

• Expanding Market Access for Meat Products

https://www.usda.gov/ranchers-first

USDA RANCHERS FIRST INITIATIVES

Sept 4: Secretary Rollins announced an additional four actions for the Ranchers First Initiative to that further support American ranchers.

1. New Tools to Support Heifer Retention 2. ECP and Grassland CRP Maximization (disaster recovery support) 3. Continuing to Revitalize American Local Processing 4. Prioritizing American Beef in Federal Spending 5. Supporting Beginning and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers

Aug 31: Secretary Rollins announced the Ranchers First Initiative which is a sweeping package of actions to continue rebuilding the Great American Cattle Herd and put America’s ranchers back at the center of our nation’s food supply. https://www.usda.gov/ranchers-first