The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack earlier this month seeking relief from accidental injuries being cited as HPA violations by USDA Veterinary Medical Officers (VMO).  Until July 2023, the USDA has never before cited a ring injury as an HPA violation but reversed that stance in the middle of last year’s show season without any notice, warning or opportunity for the industry to be consulted.

The policy has been in effect since last year and continues to disqualify innocent horses, trainers and exhibitors from competition.  The USDA has stated the act of soring is “riding” which is causing these injuries to be classified as HPA violations.  The about face could be due to the “new” violation USDA created in 2019 when they began citing rear limb, post show inflammation as sore.  When questioned what the act of soring was that was causing the inflammation, USDA field personnel repeatedly answered the act of riding the horse was causing the soring.
Due to the stance USDA took on post-show rear inflammation, it became aware that ring injuries also happened while the horse was being ridden and USDA appears to have agreed and changed over 40 years of policy and created another “new” HPA violation.  The violation is currently only being cited in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.

The Celebration has requested in the letter that USDA immediately cease and desist identifying all accidental injuries as HPA violations.

Click here to read the complete letter from Celebration Chief Executive Officer Warren Wells.