VIO204. Inhumane treatment includes, but is not limited to:
VIO204.1 placing an object in a horse’s mouth so as to cause undue discomfort or distress (minimum level );
VIO204.2 leaving a bit in a horse’s mouth for extended periods of time so as to cause undue discomfort or distress (minimum level );
VIO204.3 tying a horse’s head up (above withers), back or around in a stall or anywhere at an AQHA event in a manner as to cause undue discomfort or distress (minimum level );
VIO204.3.1 Tying a horse in a stall without access to food or water for an extended period of time. (minimum level )
VIO204.4 lounging or riding a horse in a manner as to cause undue discomfort or distress to the horse (minimum level );
VIO204.5 tying or fastening any foreign object onto a horse, halter, bridle and/or saddle in order to de-sensitize the horse (minimum level );
VIO204.6 use of training techniques or methods such as poling or striking a horse’s legs with objects (minimum level );
VIO204.7 excessive spurring or whipping (minimum level );
VIO204.8 excessive jerking of reins (minimum level );
VIO204.9 excessive fencing (minimum level );
VIO204.10 excessive spinning (defined as no more than eight (8) consecutive turns in either direction) (minimum level );
VIO204.11 schooling over ramped oxers in reverse order (i.e., from highest to lowest instead of lowest to highest) (minimum level );
VIO204.12 schooling using rails higher than four (4) feet (minimum level );
VIO204.13 use of prohibited equipment, including, but not limited to: saw tooth bits; hock hobbles; tack collars; tack curb staps or tack hackamores; whips used for showmanship; war bridles or like devices; wire or solid metal curb straps no matter how padded; wire cavesson; wire or cable tie-downs; bumper bits; metal bosals (no matter how padded); metal longeing hackamores; chambons; headstalls made of metal (no matter how wrapped or padded), twisted rawhide, or rope may not be used on a horse’s head (3/8 inch rope may be used with a slip/gag bit or a bonnet); running martingales used with curb bits used without rein stops; (minimum level ;
riding in a curb bit without a curb strap; draw reins attached between or around the front legs will not be allowed;
side reins (direct rein from bit to cinch or surcingle); excessively tight cavessons (minimum level ) will not be allowed at AQHA-approved events;
VIO204.14 use of any item or appliance that restricts circulation of the horse’s tail (minimum level );
use of any item or appliance that restricts movement of the horse’s tail is a minimum level violation.
VIO204.15 a horse which appears to be sullen, dull, lethargic, emaciated, drawn or overly tired (minimum level );
VIO204.16 intentional or negligent treatment which results in any bleeding – intentional (minimum level 3); unintentional (minimum level 1); for purposes of this section, “negligence” is the failure to exercise care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise. Regardless of whether bleeding resulted from intentional or negligent treatment, horse may be disqualified.
VIO204.17 applying excessive pressure on or excessively jerking of a halter lead shank (minimum level ).
VIO204.18 any other treatment or conduct deemed by a show official to be inhumane or abusive (minimum level ).