Source: EquiManagement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced a further delay of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) final rule’s effective date to February 1, 2026. Originally set for February 2025 and later postponed to April 2025, the rule—excluding the already active section on horse inspector training—will now be delayed an additional year. APHIS is also seeking public comments on whether the delay should be extended further and is requesting additional input to determine the appropriate length of postponement.
Comments can be submitted through May 20, 2025, at www.regulations.gov (Docket No. APHIS-2022-0004). The postponement comes in response to a recent court decision impacting the rule and amid preparations for the upcoming horse show season. The HPA is a federal law that bans sored horses—those intentionally harmed to enhance performance—from being shown, sold, exhibited, or transported to events, aiming to protect equine welfare and prevent abuse.