Recognizing that animal welfare is the single-most important issue facing the equine industry today, the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Executive Committee has appointed the 12-member AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, which met Feb. 6-8 in Dallas.

The Animal Welfare Commission’s mission "is to provide a framework for its members to 1) identify issues negatively affecting the welfare of the American Quarter Horse, 2) discuss issues, and 3) recommend actions that will help to protect the American Quarter Horse from inhumane practices and AQHA and its members from the negative impacts associated with those practices. The AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, in an effort to do right by the horse, will share discussion, action items and recommendations with alliance partners."

Jim Heird, executive professor and coordinator of the equine sciences initiative at Texas A&M University, is the chairman of the commission.

"This commission has the opportunity to move forward with what we feel we need to do," Heird said. "We have made some significant progress in the past, but we need to do more. The public and our membership demands it, our horses deserve it