Ark. lawmakers exempt some equine treatments from practice act

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Horseshoeing, training, the selling of equine medications and certain equine reproductive procedures are no longer a part of the veterinary practice act in Arkansas, with the adoption of House Bill 1763 on April 4.

Reproductive services exempted from the practice act under the new law include collecting, preparing or freezing semen, and performing nonsurgical artificial insemination.

The bill also prohibits the state veterinary board from investigating or prosecuting any case involving equine teeth floating or massage therapy before July 2013 until further study is completed, as long as the person performing those duties submits in advance to the board two letters of recommendation from previous clients.