---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 1823"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "1823"
heading: "Horse shows and exhibitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/1823"
units:
  - "Chapter 44 — Protection of Horses"
---

# §1823. Horse shows and exhibitions

- (a) **Disqualification of horses—** The [management](/usc/15/1821.md?p=1) of any horse show or horse exhibition shall disqualify any horse from being shown or exhibited (1) which is [sore](/usc/15/1821.md?p=3) or (2) if the [management](/usc/15/1821.md?p=1) has been notified by a [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) appointed in accordance with regulations under [subsection (c)](#c) or by the [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2) that the horse is [sore](/usc/15/1821.md?p=3).
- (b) **Prohibited activities—** The [management](/usc/15/1821.md?p=1) of any horse sale or auction shall prohibit the sale or auction or exhibition for the purpose of sale of any horse (1) which is [sore](/usc/15/1821.md?p=3) or (2) if the [management](/usc/15/1821.md?p=1) has been notified by a [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) appointed in accordance with regulations under [subsection (c)](#c) or by the [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2) that the horse is [sore](/usc/15/1821.md?p=3).
- (c) **Appointment of inspectors; manner of inspections—** The [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2) shall prescribe by regulation requirements for the appointment by the [management](/usc/15/1821.md?p=1) of any horse show, horse exhibition, or horse sale or auction of [persons](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) qualified to detect and diagnose a horse which is [sore](/usc/15/1821.md?p=3) or to otherwise inspect horses for the purposes of enforcing this chapter. Such requirements shall prohibit the appointment of [persons](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) who, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, have been disqualified by the [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2) to make such detection, diagnosis, or inspection. Appointment of a [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) in accordance with the requirements prescribed under this subsection shall not be construed as authorizing such [person](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) to conduct inspections in a manner other than that prescribed for inspections by the [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2) (or the [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2)’s representative) under [subsection (e)](#e).
- (d) **Recordkeeping and reporting requirements; availability of records—** The [management](/usc/15/1821.md?p=1) of a horse show, horse exhibition, or horse sale or auction shall establish and maintain such records, make such reports, and provide such information as the [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2) may by regulation reasonably require for the purposes of implementing this chapter or to determine compliance with this chapter. Upon request of an officer or employee duly designated by the [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2), such [management](/usc/15/1821.md?p=1) shall permit entry at all reasonable times for the inspection and copying (on or off the premises) of records required to be maintained under this subsection.
- (e) **Inspection by Secretary or duly appointed representative—** For purposes of enforcement of this chapter (including any regulation promulgated under this chapter) the [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2), or any representative of the [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2) duly designated by the [Secretary](/usc/15/1821.md?p=2), may inspect any horse show, horse exhibition, or horse sale or auction or any horse at any such show, exhibition, sale, or auction. Such an inspection may only be made upon presenting appropriate credentials. Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness and shall be conducted within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner. An inspection under this subsection shall extend to all things (including rec­ords) bearing on whether the requirements of this chapter have been complied with.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–540, § 4, Dec. 9, 1970, 84 Stat. 1405; Pub. L. 94–360, § 5, July 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 916.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–360 substituted provisions relating to the inspection and disqualification of horses participating in horse shows and exhibitions, the issuance of regulations by the Secretary, and the maintenance of records by horse show management, for provisions prohibiting as constituting unlawful acts the exhibition of sored horses, the transportation in commerce for purposes of exhibition of any horse that had been sored, and the conducting of any show or exhibition in which sored horses appear. Provisions now covering such unlawful acts are set out as section 1824 of this title.