Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) announced that it has volunteered for its 2004 affiliated shows to participate in USDA testing of a new method for the detection of illegal soring agents on gaited horses. The USDA might also randomly attend horse shows affiliated with other gaited horse industry organizations (HIOs) to test the new methodology. Soring is the deliberate infliction of pain on a horse’s front legs in order to enhance show ring animation and is illegal under the federal Horse Protection Act, enacted in 1970.

The new methodology is an electronic chemical sniffer test that processes and analyzes illegal substances that may have been administered or used on the horse to cause soring. Electronic chemical sniffer testing has been successfully used for several years in U.S. airports to detect explosives and other illegal substances. The normal Designated Qualified Persons (DQP) inspection process will still take place at all HIO-affiliated gaited horse shows, even if the USDA is present and conducting the chemical sniffer test. Until the new test is approved as an inspection methodology, no violations will be issued based on the findings of the test.

FOSH hopes that with its assistance, the USDA will be able to establish show ring guidelines and procedures for the widespread use of chemical sniffers at gaited horse shows. FOSH is a national leader in the fight against the abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses and in the promotion of the natural, sound gaited horse. For more information about FOSH, please visit www.friendsofsoundhorses.org or call 800/651-7993