“At AQHA, nothing is more paramount than ensuring the welfare of the American Quarter Horse during competition,” said Don Treadway Jr., AQHA executive vice president. “For more than 40 years, AQHA’s welfare and competition policies have been set in place to protect the horse, and for the past year we have spent a lot of time reviewing and fine-tuning those policies within AQHA’s own rules and in discussions with all of our alliance partners.”

Horses competing in team penning and ranch sorting may continue to be ridden with a snaffle bit or hackamore no matter the age of the horse. Riders using a snaffle bit or hackamore in team penning or ranch sorting may use two hands on the reins. Beginning January 1, 2010, a curb bit may be used on any horse regardless of age in team penning and ranch sorting, but when using a curb bit, the horse must be ridden one-handed. This rule change can be found in the AQHA Official Handbook as Rule 455 (a) (10) for team penning and Rule 456 (q) for ranch sorting.

Language has been added throughout the 2010 handbook to make clear AQHA’s commitment to the welfare of American Quarter Horses. Excessive use of a whip, rope, crop, bat or reins anywhere on the horse will result in a no time for team penning and ranch sorting competitors at AQHA-sanctioned events. This new rule applies to other classes as well.

These and other rule changes can be found in the AQHA Handbook of Rules and Regulations posted at aqha.com.