Is Your Liniment USDA-Compliant? What the New Horse Protection Act Rules Mean for You

Starting April 2, 2025, the USDA's updated Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulations will take effect, changing how horse owners, trainers, and competitors manage leg care at events. These rules target soring, a practice of intentionally causing pain to exaggerate a horse’s gait, and introduce new restrictions on action devices, pads, and topical substances applied above the hoof.

For competitors and event organizers, this means more inspections, stricter enforcement, and uncertainty about which products are still allowed. One of the biggest questions riders are asking:

Can I Still Use Liniment?

Yes—but only if it’s compliant. Many competitors rely on liniments, gels, and sprays to help reduce soreness and inflammation, but under the new USDA rules, certain substances are now prohibited. That’s where Draw It Out® Gel stands out as a safe, competition-legal choice.

Is Draw It Out® Gel USDA-Compliant? Absolutely. Here’s Why.

1. Drug-Free & FEI-Safe

The new USDA rules prohibit substances that mask soring or cause irritation. Some liniments contain harsh chemicals, numbing agents, or masking agents that could be flagged under the new regulations.

Draw It Out® Gel contains NO prohibited ingredients—it’s drug-free, naturally derived, and safe for use before, during, and after competition. Riders can confidently apply it without fear of violating event rules.

2. No Banned Ingredients

One of the biggest changes under the new HPA rules is the ban on applying substances above the hoof on Tennessee Walking Horses and racking horses. This rule aims to eliminate the use of irritants that can be used in soring.

Draw It Out® Gel is made with clean, naturally derived ingredients—it’s free of chemicals that could raise compliance concerns. Because it doesn’t contain irritants, numbing agents, or masking substances, it remains 100% compliant under the new USDA regulations.

3. Safe for Use in Competition

Not all topical products are banned—only those that contribute to or hide soring. The USDA’s goal is to protect horses, not prevent legitimate soreness relief.

That’s why Draw It Out® is the ideal solution for competitors:
✔ Gentle yet powerful anti-inflammatory support
✔ No banned substances or irritants
✔ Can be used in pre-show warm-ups and post-show recovery
✔ USDA-compliant & safe for all disciplines

What You Need to Know About the New USDA Rules

With USDA inspectors replacing industry DQPs, more inspections and stricter oversight are coming to equine events. Trainers and riders need to be extra careful about the products they use.

What’s Changing on April 2, 2025?

🚫 Ban on action devices and pads (for Tennessee Walking Horses & racking horses)
🚫 Prohibition on substances applied above the hoof (to prevent chemical soring)
🚫 End of the DQP program (USDA inspectors take over event inspections)
📋 New reporting rules for event managers (must notify USDA 30 days before an event)

How Does This Affect You?

If you compete, train, or manage equine events, these new rules apply to you. Using a non-compliant liniment or leg product could lead to disqualification, fines, or scrutiny from inspectors.

That’s why choosing a USDA-compliant product like Draw It Out® Gel is the safest option.

How to Stay Compliant & Keep Your Horse Feeling Their Best

The new HPA rules don’t mean you have to stop caring for your horse’s legs and muscles—they just mean you need to choose the right products.

✔ What You Can Do Now:

✅ Switch to a USDA-compliant liniment like Draw It Out® Gel
✅ Educate yourself & your team on the new rules
✅ Avoid products with irritants or masking agents
✅ Use liniment for post-event recovery instead of pre-show application

Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead of the Changes

With the new USDA regulations, horse owners, trainers, and competitors must be mindful of the products they use at shows. The ban on certain substances means that only safe, naturally derived liniments should be trusted.

Draw It Out® Gel is USDA-compliant, drug-free, and safe for competition. With no irritants, no banned substances, and no risk of violations, it’s the best choice for keeping your horse comfortable while staying within the rules.

Have questions about staying compliant? Visit drawliniment.com to learn more about safe, competition-legal equine care.