This proposed regulation alleges that it relies on an OIG (Office of Inspector General) report published September 2010, a document that is six years old. This proposed regulation offers to re-write existing regulations and add new regulations. It is 101 pages long. Given the length and complexity, we’ll be breaking it down into sections.

Although this proposed federal regulation has been called the “Past Act Regulation”, it is far more reaching than the Past Act.

The USDA proposes to ban the use of pads, substances and action devices. The USDA is taking the position that prohibition of the use of pads, action devices and substances on the limbs of any Tennessee Walking Horse, Racking Horse or related breed is needed, but what constitutes a “related” breed?

If related by blood, TWHBEA, the breed registry for the Tennessee Walking Horse, states the Tennessee Walking horse is composed of Narragansett and Canadian Pacer, Standardbred, Thoroughbred, Morgan, and American Saddlebred stock.

If related by gait, the RHBAA, the Racking Horse breed registry, doesn’t focus as much on the bloodlines but rather focuses on the distinctive gait, the “rack” or single foot (one foot strikes the ground at a time). Horses that rack/single foot or largo include not on the Racking Horse, but also the Standardbred, American Saddlebred, Paso Fino, Rocky Mountain, Missouri Foxtrotter, North American Single Footing Horse, Morgan, Hackney, National Show Horse and others.

If related by show breeds that utilize pads, those breeds include American Saddlebred, Hackney, Road Horse, Morgan, Fresian, Percheron, Arabian, National Show Horse, and some Dressage horses.

All of these breeds will be affected by “related” breed clause in the proposed regulation.

Comments for and against this regulation can be made by clicking this link: https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=APHIS-2011-0009-0001