Anti-soring rule rolled back in part

AMARILLO, Texas — A Texas federal court vacated portions of a USDA rule meant to prevent “soring,” or injuring horses’ legs to exaggerate their gait. The agency exceeded its authority in banning small weights placed on a horse’s legs, pads worn between the hoof and horseshoe and the application of lubricants to a horse’s legs above the hooves, as the Horse Protection Act only permits the USDA to ban devices and practices that directly cause soring. The department is allowed, though, to require industry-appointed inspectors to be replaced with federal officials and federally approved private inspectors, or seek USDA authorization themselves.