Legislation has recently been introduced in the Texas Legislature that seeks to strengthen the animal cruelty laws in our state. While it's hard to argue against that, there is a movement to use the bill to reclassify horses as non-livestock. That could have major implications for Texas horse breeders. If SB 1100 and HB 2328 are passed with a redefinition of horses as "companion animals," it would eliminate the horse from the definition of agricultural livestock, and thus remove the agricultural exemption for all horse farms in Texas that breed, raise and train racehorses.

Therefore, the Texas Horsemen's Partnership joins the Texas Thoroughbred Association in opposing the reclassification of horses as non-livestock and encourages members to contact their legislators in Austin regarding this bill.

A hearing in front of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on March 20 in room E2.016 at the State Capitol for those interested in attending.

To contact your legislators, click here to use the Political Action Center on the Keep Texas Running website.