AQHA Executive Committee Approves Animal Welfare Rules

The AQHA Animal Welfare Commission met during the 2026 AQHA Convention in March in Las Vegas and made several welfare-related recommendations to the AQHA Executive Committee. At its April meeting, the Executive Committee reviewed the Animal Welfare Commission’s recommendations. As a result of such review, the Executive Committee approved the following to be implemented immediately: 

• Form a task force to consider and make recommendations concerning: 1. The expanded use of the Therapeutic Use Exemption form and 2. Modifying Rule VIO405.8 to allow the use of acetazolamide for horses diagnosed with chronic rhabdomyolysis or other diagnosed muscle diseases.  
• Change the name associated with neck testing from “Performance Alteration Testing” to “Fit to Compete Exam.” 
• Using the same task force recommended above to evaluate whether to prohibit practice to use and/or possess any of the following substances on competition grounds: 

a. Injectable ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) 

b. Injectable adenosine 

c. Injectable formaldehyde 

d. Injectable magnesium sulfate 

e. Injectable melatonin 

f.  Injectable oxytocin 

g. Injectable pentobarbital, except by a veterinarian for the purpose of euthanasia 

h. Injectable thiamine 

i.  Injectable tryptophan 

j.  Liquid nitrogen 

k. Any injectable prescription medication in any formulation without a manufacturer or compounding pharmacy label that identifies all ingredients 

l.  It is a prohibited practice to rectally administer any substance on the grounds of an AQHA-approved competition. 

• Approve the following recommendations from the Performance Alteration Task Force concerning neck testing:
  • Not Fit to Compete: A horse is not fit to compete when its welfare and safety have been compromised through doping, inappropriate medication or performance-altering procedures. (Note: performance-altering procedures would include tail alteration, as well as neck injections.)
  • Testing Area: The testing area shall be determined by AQHA and shall consist of a minimum of three testing stalls and a common receiving area. The testing area is to be secured with a gate available for entry. Only the owner and/or agent for the horse shall be permitted in the testing area. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. At no time may any other representatives for the horse be allowed into the testing area.
  • Testing Protocol: Testing will be conducted by two veterinarians. One veterinarian shall be responsible for neck thermography, and the other veterinarian shall be responsible for neck flexion and palpation. They will score the horse independently and will not communicate their scores to anyone other than the testing liaison (AQHA staff) who will total the scores.
  • If the total score falls in the range of “Not Fit to Compete,” 6-9, the AQHA Director of Championship Shows and/or the Director of Competition will immediately be notified and be present to observe video of the second phase of testing. The veterinarian that initially conducted the thermography examination will then conduct a flexion and palpation test to score the horse. Once completed, a final score will be given. If the two veterinarians’ flexion and palpation scores do not correlate, the lower score will be accepted and documented.
  • If the party responsible does not withdraw the horse, it will be disqualified and the party is subject to disciplinary action (refer to Rule VIO750). The horse will not be allowed to compete in that class. This infraction shall be considered under Rule VIO204.14 with a minimum Level 4 violation.
  • If the party withdraws from the class in question, the horse is deemed not fit to compete in any class until it completes an eligibility test and scores within the appropriate range. Such horse may be subject to additional drug testing at that time. If the party was disqualified, the horse will no longer be able to compete for the remainder of that event.
  • Video: If video is deemed necessary, it shall be taken by an AQHA staff liaison. The video should include a full view of the horse and handler to verify identification. During the flexion and palpation portion of the test, the videographer should stand a minimum of 6 feet away at a 45-degree angle in front of the horse in order to capture the procedure. The videographer will then move to the other side of the horse to capture the procedure on that side. The Director of Championship Shows and/or the Director of Competition must be present for observation during all videos.
• Continue the protocol currently set forth in Rule VIO335 regarding the use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy 

About the Animal Welfare Commission 

The AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, which was created by the AQHA Executive Committee in 2012, reports directly to the Executive Committee, which evaluates all proposals in relation to the current state of the industry. The Animal Welfare Commission serves as AQHA’s primary body for rules, policies and procedures related to all areas of animal welfare. In addition, the commission oversees the educational processes associated with AQHA officials responsible for animal welfare. 

The Animal Welfare Commission’s mission is to provide a framework for its members to 1. Identify issues negatively affecting the welfare of the American Quarter Horse, 2. Stay current on all animal welfare issues, and 3. Recommend actions that will help protect the American Quarter Horse from inhumane practices and AQHA and its members from the negative impacts associated with those practices. The AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, in an effort to do right by the horse, will share discussion, action items and recommendations with the Association’s alliance partners. AQHA’s prohibition against inhumane treatment applies to AQHA members and nonmembers. 

–AQHA