2025 MFTHBA Rulebook

53 and request the DQP to immediately correct and return subject paperwork, or provide missing paperwork, to the Administrator for processing and providing copies to APHIS. f) Penalties: The following penalties shall be imposed, in accordance with the authorities set forth in the Regulations: 1) Lack of Competence and Skill, Lack of Cooperation a) First offense – Letter of Reprimand. b) Second offense – 3-month suspension of license. c) Third offense – 1-year suspension of license. d) Fourth offense – Lifetime suspension of license. 2) Lack of Integrity, Lack of Deportment: to be determined by the Hearing Committee. g) Administrative Fee: If the complaint is not upheld, the $300 fee shall not be refunded to the writer of the complaint, but used to offset administrative costs, including the payment of mileage to the DQP. If the complaint is upheld, the $300 shall be refunded and the DQP shall not receive mileage. Section 3. Horse Inspections Inspections must be conducted in accordance with the Regulations and the Plan. A horse presented for inspection is to be accompanied by the custodian only. A. Inspection Areas 1. DQP/VMO Inspection Area: All horses shall be inspected in a specific area that a) contains sufficient space in a convenient location to the show b) provides protection from the elements, if required by the DQP or VMO, c) provides a means for crowd control or onlookers, if required by the DQP or VMO d) an accessible 110-volt electrical power source, if available and requested by the DQP or VMO, (5) an appropriate area adjacent to the inspection area for designated horses to wait for inspection, and an area to be used for the detention of horses. 2. Designated Holding/Warm-up Area: Inspected horses shall be held in a holding/warm-up area designated by the DQP that is under observation by the DQP. Only the horse, the rider, the groom, the trainer, the DQP(s) and APHIS representatives shall be allowed in this designated area. No horse may leave the designated area before showing without the permission of the DQP. Any horse leaving the designated area before showing must be re-inspected by the DQP before being allowed into the show ring. 3. Visitors to Designated Inspection and Holding/Warm-up Areas: Visitors shall only be allowed in these areas while under direct escort of either an HIO or APHIS representative. APHIS and HIO personnel shall be notified when visitors are present and who will be their escort. B. Stewarding and Unruly Horses : No person shall act in any manner that may cause a false examination result or use any signal or device (including without limitation whips or cigarette smoke), to distract a horse during examination. If either the DQP or VMO observes such behavior, the DQP shall be responsible for immediately excusing the horse and shall report the incident to show management and the HIO. DQP’s shall excuse any horse that is unruly or exhibits an unwillingness to submit to examination. C. Inspection Authority : The DQP or VMO may inspect any horse at any horse show or event. DQP’s may also inspect horses for the purpose of ensuring compliance with breed-specific rules and regulations adopted and published by the HIO as long as such inspections do not interfere with enforcement of the Act. The DQP or VMO may carry out additional inspection procedures or conduct additional tests, such as examining rear limbs or using hoof testers or fluoroscopy, as deemed necessary, to determine whether or not a horse is in compliance with the Act. If more than one inspector (DQP or VMO) examines the same horse, then each inspection shall be conducted in its entirety. D. Prohibited Practices: The Act and the Regulations prohibit shoeing, trimming or using any method or device on a horse’s limb in a manner that causes such horse to suffer, or can reasonably be expected to cause such horse to suffer pain, distress, inflammation or lameness when walking, trotting or otherwise moving. This includes, but is not limited to, inserting a tack, screw, nail or other device or substance other than acceptable hoof packing, between the horse’s hoof and its shoe or pad. If a DQP or