A Tennessee Walking Horse (TWH) group is partnering with the USDA to host a clinic for industry trainers, owners, and exhibitors, and some hope this could lead to improved cooperation between that industry and the USDA for better Horse Protection Act (HPA) compliance.

The HPA which forbids soring—deliberately injuring a horse’s feet and legs to achieve an exaggerated gait. Other HPA rules pertain to horseshoe size of shoes and how Walking Horses are shod for shows and other events. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is tasked with enforcing the HPA, however, in recent years, some TWH industry members disagreed with how APHIS enforces the rules.

But on Feb. 3 APHIS and the horse industry organization Sound Horses, Honest Judging, Objective Inspections, Winning Fairly (SHOW) will join to offer a shoeing clinic for participants in HPA-regulated events.

During the event USDA inspectors and designated qualified persons from the TWH industry will review shoeing measurements and perform hands-on demonstrations. The clinic will also include an overview of the entire inspection process as well as a discussion about how inspectors assess scar rule compliance