Congressman Ed Whitfield, a Republican from Kentucky, submitted his original amendment, H.R. 1518,that would remove the padded shoes and action devices from Tennessee Walking Horses as amendment #127 to H.R. 1947, known in this congress as the Farm Bill.

The Rules Committee held their lengthy meeting and selected over 100 amendments to ride with the Farm Bill, but Congressman Whitfield’s failed to be included.

Congressman Whitfield briefly addressed the committee, gave a short background of the Horse Protection Act, as written, and swiftly described the mechanics of his amendment. Unfortunately, Congressman Whitfield failed to explain the intent of the amendment, and told the committee his amendment merely called for the enforcement to be moved from the industry to trained professionals within the USDA, and to discontinue the self regulation.