Legislation that would ban the use of performances packages and chains on Tennessee Walking Horses took a step closer to becoming law when a Senate committee passed a twin version of a bill introduced into the U.S. House last year.

Introduced last year by Representative Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), HR 1518, the Prevent All Soring Tactics (or PAST) Act, would amend the Horse Protection Act of 1970, which forbids soring. The PAST Act would forbid trainers from using action devices, including metal chains and stacks and pads (also known as performance packages). In addition, the PAST Act would increase federal penalties for anyone who sores a horse and would require the USDA to assign a licensed inspector if a Tennessee Walking Horse show management indicates its intent to hire one.

HR 1518 remains pending in the U.S. House committee on energy and commerce.

Identical legislation, S 1406, was introduced into the Senate by Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.). The Senate's Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee passed the bill on April 9. The legislation now moves to the full U.S. Senate for a vote