Arkansas Senate Ag Committee approves bill removing licensing requirement for horse massage

The Arkansas Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee voted to approve House Bill 1146, a proposal to remove a licensing requirement for people who massage horses.

Senator Stubblefield introduced the bill, saying he has "been in the horse business for about 40 years" and arguing that horse massage is different from human massage and does not require state licensure. "There there shouldn't be a license to have to massage a horse," he said, adding that race-track operations often use workers called "hot walkers" to perform procedures that in other settings would require licenses.

Representative Sarah Capp, who ran the measure in the House, told the committee she was not aware of any organized opposition in that chamber and indicated no Veterinary Medical Board position had been communicated to sponsors. During public comment, Leanne Avizi, who identified herself as a military spouse, said she opposed the bill because she would prefer a guaranteed level of training for anyone working on her horses. "I would rather know that the person that is going to be massaging and working on my horse is trained and equipped," Avizi said.

Senators who spoke in committee framed the bill as aligning Arkansas with surrounding states and with common practice at rodeos and other equine events. Senator Hill said he supported the bill and noted handlers and therapists commonly work at events such as rodeos and college equestrian venues.

After brief discussion and public comment, the committee moved, seconded, and approved the bill by voice vote. The chair announced, "Motion's carried." The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or the names of the motion's mover and seconder.

The committee advanced the measure; the transcript does not record further timeline for floor action or additional procedural steps.