Dear USEF Members,  

 

Safeguarding you and your horses is of paramount importance to US Equestrian, and we recognize and appreciate that our USEF equestrian community is united in that commitment. We share your concerns and outrage over the incidents of unethical treatment of horses that have occurred on non-USEF competition grounds and at competitions not sanctioned by USEF. There is no excuse for these behaviors. Our sport is at a crossroads, and we are all responsible for its future.   

 

As the National Governing Body (NGB) of equestrian sport in the United States, we continuously review and adjust the rules and policies that form the framework of equestrian sport to protect you, your horses, and a fair field of play. We work with our members, volunteers, Recognized Affiliates, the American Horse Council and other equestrian organizations that share our values, as well as with government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to achieve our collective goal of equine safety, welfare, and fairness.   

 

On December 1, 2024, changes to GR838 “Unethical Treatment of a Horse” go into effect. These changes will enable us to investigate reports of alleged incidents that occur outside of the USEF competition environment and act on violations of this rule.  Additionally, in January, several new rule change proposals will be considered by the US Equestrian Board of Directors that, if approved, will further strengthen our position on horse welfare. You can review and provide feedback on these proposals through the US Equestrian website at www.usef.org/compete/resources-forms/rules-regulations/rule-changes. For ease of review, please see the reference numbers below: 

•		060-24  GR840.a
•		064-24  GR843.1
•		067-24 GR1037.1
•		066-24 GR702.1
•		062-24 GR839
•		065-24 GR840.1

In addition to US Equestrian rule changes, amendments to the Horse Protection Act (Act) which was enacted as a federal law in 1970, are scheduled to go into effect in February of 2025. Since its inception, the Act has included a provision that authorizes the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to inspect horses for soring at any horse show in the United States. Eliminating the soring of horse ensures the welfare of the horse and eliminates unfair competition. The Act continues to focus on the act of soring horses and any mistreatment of horses which results in soring. 

 

An important element of the recent amendments to the Act involves a mandatory competition registration requirement for virtually all equestrian competitions held in the U.S. each year. Knowing this new federal requirement may be burdensome for our competition organizers, USEF will assume the registration duties to help relieve this burden and keep competition organizers and managers compliant with the federal law regarding the reporting requirements. Licensees and managers of USEF-licensed competitions will be receiving a communication on our plan and we will be holding webinars to discuss amendments to the Act. 

 

We cannot deny there will be people who do not agree with the need for our sport to review, identify, and implement change where change is needed to protect our horses. We also know there are incidents occurring outside the USEF competition environment that are negatively affecting horse welfare and the future of our sport.   

 

As a community, we must face these challenges head on and USEF is the organization you can count on to take action to safeguard you, your horses, and our sport. 

 

If you would like to share your feedback, please send an email to:  EquineWelfare@usef.org.

 

Best regards,