USDA drops case against Tennessee walking horse owner after three-year fight
June 24, 2026
Washington, DC; June 24, 2026: A Tennessee walking horse owner is free from a federal enforcement action after the U.S. Department of Agriculture agreed to permanently drop its Horse Protection Act claim against him. Joe Manis, who breeds and shows Tennessee Walking Horses, had been subject to an in-house USDA enforcement action since 2023 over an alleged violation. He sued the USDA in federal court, arguing that the enforcement action was unconstitutional.
“This result ensures Joe can move forward without the threat of a complete ban on participating in Tennessee Walking Horse events,” said Josh Robbins, an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation. “The constitutional problems with the USDA’s enforcement scheme remain, and we’ll continue pressing those issues in other cases.”
The resolution follows a similar outcome earlier this year: In April 2026, the USDA permanently dropped its Horse Protection Act enforcement action against Alabama horse trainer David Latham, who faced the same in-house tribunal process.
Pacific Legal Foundation represented Manis free of charge. The case is Joe Manis v. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Documents
No files available.
About Pacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation is a national nonprofit law firm that defends Americans threatened by government overreach and abuse. Since our founding in 1973, we challenge the government when it violates individual liberty and constitutional rights. With active cases in 34 states plus Washington, D.C., PLF represents clients in state and federal courts, with 18 wins of 21 cases litigated at the U.S. Supreme Court.