Those who care about our nation’s horses owe thanks to Senator Hassan for standing up and cosponsoring the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act. This federal bill will put an end to the incredibly cruel practice of “soring,” which involves the intentional infliction of pain to a horse’s legs or hooves to force the horse to walk with an exaggerated gait in the show ring.

Tennesee walking horses are the most common victims of this abuse. One method of soring involves applying caustic chemicals, such as mustard oil or kerosene, to a horse’s limbs, causing extreme pain. A state-level bill to criminalize soring in New Hampshire died in the Environment and Agriculture Committee.

Joan O’Brien

Amherst