Dear [Your Elected Official],

<p>I am writing to you as a constituent to ask that you OPPOSE H.R.1684, the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act. </p> <p>H.R.1684 would amend the Horse Protection Act (HPA) of 1970 broadening the definitions of "soring" and banned equipment, while increasing penalties for violations, eliminating the current self-regulatory system involving Designated Qualified Persons (DQPs), and mandates that all inspections at horse shows be conducted solely by USDA-appointed personnel.</p> <p>H.R.1684 casts an <strong>overly broad</strong> net by banning training tools and practices used across multiple equine disciplines creating a very slippery regulatory slope and negative precedent.</p> <p>The PAST Act does not differentiate between abuse and accepted methods of training, leading to overregulation and unintended consequences for responsible horse owners and trainers at the sole discretion of a USDA inspector. </p> <p>The USDA lacks the personnel, funding, and logistical capacity to inspect every horse event across the country. Replacing the current DQP program with exclusive USDA oversight will result in either inadequate coverage or canceled events due to lack of inspection staff.</p> <p>The vast majority of horse breeders and trainers already comply with the Horse Protection Act and are committed to the welfare of their animals. This PAST Act imposes new burdens and criminalizes practices that are not inherently abusive, targeting entire industries for the bad actions of a few.</p> <p>The PAST Act is strongly backed by animal rights organizations that oppose horse shows and equine sports, and even riding horseback altogether. Their ultimate goal is to end all forms of equine competition and animal use, not merely eliminate abuse. This legislation serves as a strategic stepping stone to further restrict lawful animal enterprises.</p> <p>Tennessee Walking Horses and similar breeds are maintained by tight-knit communities of trainers, breeders, and event organizers. This bill would cripple many of these small businesses and family traditions under the guise of protecting animals, despite the lack of widespread abuse in today's regulated environment.</p> <p>While no one supports the cruel and illegal act of soring, H.R.1684, the PAST Act, is not the answer. It is an overreaching bill that punishes responsible horse owners, restricts legitimate training techniques, and replaces a functional inspection system with an unworkable federal monopoly.</p> <p>I respectfully ask that you reject this misguided legislation in favor of reasonable, targeted reforms that genuinely protect horses without destroying the communities that care for them. </p>