Effective June 1, 2016, AQHA Rule VIO204.13 has been amended to include belly bands in the list of equipment prohibited at AQHA events. This amendment was originally announced May 12, 2016, in a news release on AQHA.com. Read the news release here.
From June 1 to December 31, 2016 (“Warning Period”), stewards, judges and show management should verbally warn and instruct riders to remove belly bands from horses on showgrounds at AQHA events. If a steward discovers that a belly band is hiding abuse, they are to issue the appropriate warning card. If a judge or show management discovers that a belly band is hiding abuse, they are to take appropriate action based on the severity of abuse (for example, disqualify horse) and report abuse to AQHA.
During the Warning Period, stewards will record the names of violators on their steward report so they can be added to the warning database. If a person is reported again on another steward report, the AQHA office will issue a warning for a second offense. Show management and judges are instructed to report violators such that violators’ names are included on the show management report/judges report to be submitted to AQHA. Names that appear on such reports will be added to the warning database.
Effective January 1, 2017, the use of belly bands will be considered a Level 1 offense and shall result in the issuance of a warning card (assuming the belly band is not hiding abuse, in which case the level of offense may be increased and a red card may be issued depending on the severity of abuse).
AQHA Rule VIO108.7
Currently, AQHA Rule VIO108.7 prohibits individuals from altering, attempting to hide or alter natural markings of a horse by surgery, dye or any other manner. Effective January 1, 2017, that language will include hiding abuse with dye or any other substance.
