This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The PAST Act (H.R. 1518/S. 1406) applies to Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses and Spotted Saddle Horses and bans caustic chemicals applied to a horse's pasterns and the use of cruel devices that create pain for the sake of an exaggerated gait. It will allow the walking horse industry to thrive and rebuild the reputation of the breed.
How could Orrin Hatch's aides allow him to sign on to a bogus bill authored by the Tennessee delegation? They can't have done their research on the PAST Act, or he would not have signed onto a bill sponsored by Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., that will only preserve the cruel status quo rather than making meaningful reforms to protect horses.
The PAST Act has momentous support from the American Horse Council, American Veterinary Medical Association, every state's Veterinary Medical Association and the majority of walking horse owners. But harmful "alternative" legislation has been introduced solely so that a small faction of the industry can continue to abuse horses for profit without consequences.
Sen. Hatch, and the rest of Utah's Congressional delegation, should choose HR 1518/S 1406. As yet none of Utah's delegation have signed on to the PAST Act.
Bill Coon
Herriman