The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Margaret Baird of Simpsonville, Ky., have agreed to a consent decision and order regarding charges of Horse Protection Act violations.

“As a horse owner, Baird is ultimately responsible for her horse’s training” said W. Ron DeHaven, deputy administrator for animal care with the animal and plant health inspection service, a part of USDA’s marketing and regulatory programs mission area. “She has agreed to a one-year horse show disqualification to settle USDA charges involving HPA violations.

Baird neither admits nor denies any violations of the HPA but has agreed to a one-year disqualification from showing, exhibiting, or entering any horse in any horse show, sale, or auction. Also, Baird cannot judge, manage or otherwise participate in any show, sale or auction.

The HPA discourages the cruel and inhumane practice of soring by prohibiting sored horses from participating in exhibitions, sales, shows, and auctions. Soring refers to pain-provoking practices used to accentuate a horse’s gait. The HPA covers all breeds of horses