U.S. District Court Rules in Case Against USDA’s 2024 Horse Protection Act Rule
Amarillo, TX – In a significant ruling issued today, Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Amarillo Division, largely sided with the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Association (Plaintiffs) in a legal challenge against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The case, centered around the USDA's controversial 2024 Rule to enforce the Horse Protection Act (HPA), has profound implications for the equine industry, particularly for the Tennessee Walking Horse community.
In his decision, Judge Kacsmaryk emphasized that while both the USDA and the Plaintiffs agree on the HPA’s primary objective—ending "soring"—the dispute lies in the scope and application of the new regulations. The judge noted, "The Congress, USDA, and equine organizations like the Plaintiffs all agree on the objective of the Horse Protection Act: to end 'soring.'"However, he further acknowledged that there were significant disagreements over the 2024 Rule’s interpretation and enforcement.
The Court ruled in favor of the Plaintiffs on four of the five contested provisions of the USDA's 2024 Rule:
1. Prohibition of Action Devices and Pads
2. Prohibition of Substances
3. The DCIS Provision
4. Pre-and Post-Deprivation Review of Inspector Decisions
However, the judge did not agree with the plaintiffs' argument regarding the DQP program. In this instance, the Court ruled that the provision relating to the Designated Qualified Person (DQP) program did not violate statutory authority or fail to meet due process standards.
In his ruling, Judge Kacsmaryk held that:
USDA exceeded its statutory authority by instituting a blanket prohibition on action devices, pads, and certain substances used within the industry.
The DCIS provision that replaced the Scar Rule did not provide adequate due process protections.
The absence of a proper pre- and post-deprivation review mechanism in the2024 Rule violated due process requirements.
However, the Court found that the provision of the 2024 Rule addressing the abolishment DQP program did not violate the Regulatory Flexibility Act nor was it deemed arbitrary or capricious.
The ruling marks a major victory for the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, which has long argued that the USDA’s 2024 Rule overreached in its regulatory scope and posed unnecessary burdens on the industry.
Industry attorneys are currently reviewing the 28-page ruling in detail, and a more comprehensive summary of the decision and its potential long-term impact on the industry is forthcoming.
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration advocates for fair and reasonable enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, ensuring that efforts to eradicate soring do not unnecessarily stifle the legitimate practices of the equine industry.
This victory would not have been possible without the unwavering contributions from our donors to the Industry’s legal fund. Your support—whether through direct contributions, exhibitor cards, horse cards, or at our various fundraisers—played a vital role in ensuring that we could take this challenge to court and fight for the future of our show horses. Your belief in our mission and dedication to standing with us made all the difference. This achievement also speaks to the power of unity, as the entire industry worked together in lockstep. The Celebration, TWHBEA, FAST, and The Walking Horse Trainers Association have all been key partners in this effort, and we are so proud of what we have accomplished together.
Additionally, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible legal team at Torridon with help from Frank Eichler. Their expertise and dedication have been invaluable throughout this entire process.
Once again, thank you for your support in helping us secure this victory. Together, we are making a lasting difference.
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