Today the Humane Society of the United States honored U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Mark Warner as the Humane Horsemen of the Year for 2023. This annual award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to protecting American equines.
Senators Crapo and Warner have been stalwart champions in the fight to end the cruel practice of horse “soring,” where scofflaw trainers inflict severe pain on the hooves and legs of Tennessee walking horses and related breeds to create an exaggerated, pain-induced high-stepping gait prized in some competitions. Despite Congress passing the Horse Protection Act more than 50 years ago to end this abuse, rampant soring continues, as shown in an audit by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s inspector general and subsequent undercover investigations by the HSUS.
Senators Crapo and Warner are the lead Senate sponsors of the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act—S. 4004 in the current Congress. The PAST Act would amend the Horse Protection Act to eliminate a failed system of industry self-policing, ban the use of devices integral to soring, strengthen penalties, and make the actual soring of a horse illegal, all for a negligible cost as determined by the Congressional Budget Office.
Under the senators’ strong leadership, the PAST Act has consistently garnered the bipartisan support of a majority of the Senate for several years, with 53 cosponsors currently. The bill is also endorsed by hundreds of groups and individuals, including the American Horse Council, U.S. Equestrian Federation, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, state veterinary organizations of all 50 states, National Sheriffs' Association, and Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. Public opinion polls conducted in 2020 in Kentucky and Tennessee— where soring is most prevalent— revealed overwhelming support for the PAST Act’s reforms across all categories: political affiliation, gender, age and geographic region of each state (78% in Kentucky and 82% in Tennessee).
In addition to their work on the PAST Act, Senators Crapo and Warner have been instrumental in pushing for stronger USDA enforcement of the Horse Protection Act and rulemaking to address weaknesses in the agency’s regulations. In May, the USDA issued a final rule that incorporates key elements of the PAST Act.
“It is an honor to be recognized as an advocate for those who do not have their own voice. Idahoans take great pride in our commitment to western values, including the humane treatment and husbandry of our equine partners. I remain dedicated to stopping inhumane practices such as horse soring and appreciatively accept this honorable distinction,” said Sen. Crapo.
“From agriculture to transportation, horses have played an important role throughout Virginia’s culture and history. We owe it to these loyal animals to treat them with kindness and compassion, which is why I’ve been proud to lead the effort in Congress to strengthen protections against horse soring and crack down on those who perpetrate it. It’s an honor to receive this recognition by the Humane Society of the United States and I look forward to continuing this work,” said Sen. Warner.
“We are proud to recognize the contributions of Senators Mike Crapo and Mark Warner who have shown tireless leadership in the fight to end horse soring,” said Keith Dane, senior director of equine protection at the Humane Society of the United States. “This horrific practice has terrorized horses and plagued the equine world for far too long. Their advocacy for the PAST Act and more effective regulations is bringing us closer to a future when horses are freed from the abuse they have endured for decades and this indefensible practice is no longer tolerated.”