US House passes law to prevent inhumane method of training horses - Edmond, OK - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to prevent soring, even though the practice has been illegal since 1970. KOCO News 5 covered the story and interviewed the owner/trainer of Hallmark Farms in Edmond.

Article text:

In a landmark move, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to prevent soring, a method used to coach horses to move or perform a certain way.

Drew Edmondson, who ran as the Democratic candidate for Oklahoma governor last year, has been an outspoken critic of soring, along with many local trainers and breeders.

"Using a caustic substance above their hooves that causes, around their heels, that causes them to be sore," trainer Susan Morey said. "It's a burn. It's like a blister."

The process of soring includes placing chemicals like diesel fuel or mustard oil around a horse's hoof. A trainer also could put too many pads on the hoof, which is the case with the famous Tennessee walkers.

"A very cruel method of training horses," Edmondson said.

Soring has been illegal since 1970, so why is the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act needed?

"The fact is the practice has continued almost unabated," Edmondson said.

Edmondson is the co-chair of the National Law Enforcement Alliance of Animal Wellness Action.

"Having laws on the books is simply not enough if they aren't being enforced," Edmondson said.

According to Edmondson, the industry is self-regulated. If the PAST Act becomes law, it will "provide enforcement for something that has been against the law for over 50 years."

Experts told KOCO 5 that soring is not a common practice in Oklahoma.

"It is out there, unfortunately," Morey said. "It's a very small percentage of people that do do it."

Rep. Kendra Horn voted in favor of the PAST Act, but the rest of Oklahoma's representatives did not. Rep. Tom Cole told KOCO 5 that he opposed the PAST Act to ensure lawmakers can vote on the best version of the bill.

The legislation has to go through the Senate and then to President Donald Trump's desk before becoming law.

Type of publication: Television When was the article reported?: 08/14/2019 Publication: KOCO News 5 Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: local News Category: Politics

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