Should Horses Be Treated as Livestock or Companion Animals in Ohio? Here’s Why It’s Time for a Change

Short answer: Horses deserve to be recognized as companions, not livestock.Right now, Ohio law still lumps them in with cows, pigs, and goats. That one classification—livestock—means that when a horse is neglected or abused, the penalties are weaker, and humane agents often can’t act as quickly.

For those of us who live and breathe horses, that feels wrong. We know they aren’t “farm equipment.” They’re our partners. We build relationships with them based on communication, trust, and understanding—things you can’t fake and you definitely can’t mass-produce.

This is why horse advocates across the state are pushing for change through the Equine Partner Protection Act of 2025, a proposal that would reclassify horses in their own section of Ohio law—giving them the same level of protection that dogs and cats already have.

What’s the Difference Between Companion Animals and Livestock?

How the Law Sees It

In Ohio, the law divides animals into two main groups: companion animals and livestock.

A companion animal, under Ohio Revised Code 959.131, means any animal kept in a home—like a dog or cat. Harming or neglecting them carries strict penalties, sometimes even felonies.

Livestock, on the other hand, includes horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry—animals traditionally raised for food or fiber. The law assumes they’re part of agriculture, not family life. That’s where the problem lies.

Because horses are legally defined as livestock, they’re left out of Ohio’s companion animal cruelty laws. That means abuse cases involving horses often don’t qualify for the same punishment as cruelty to a dog or cat.

How Horse People See It

Ask any horse owner, trainer, or rider, and you’ll get a very different definition. To us, horses are partners—sentient, emotional beings who learn from tone, touch, patience, and repetition.

When we train, we’re not issuing commands; we’re building a relationship. We earn trust through consistent communication—our voice, our energy, our body language. A horse will follow you into a trailer or over a jump not because they have to, but because they trust you.

That kind of bond doesn’t fit neatly into the word livestock.

Why the “Livestock” Label Hurts Horses in Ohio

Legal Gaps and Weaker Protections

Under current Ohio law, if someone starves or abuses a dog, they can face felony charges.But if someone starves or abuses a horse, it’s usually just a misdemeanor—because horses are legally livestock.

That difference doesn’t just look bad on paper. It plays out in the real world every day.

Many humane agents across Ohio have told us they want to act in horse neglect cases but can’t—because their authority only extends to companion animals. Sometimes, by the time law enforcement can intervene under agricultural rules, it’s already too late.

A Real Story from a Local Barn

A few years ago, a friend of mine ran a small therapeutic riding program. Her horses helped kids with disabilities find confidence, balance, and connection.

When one of the geldings became dangerously thin due to a change in barn management, she called the local humane society for help. But because horses fall under livestock laws, the humane officer said their hands were tied. It took weeks of paperwork, calls, and waiting before the horse could be removed from neglect.

If that horse had been a dog, he would’ve been rescued the same day.

Horses Aren’t Tools. They’re Partners.

When we work with horses, we don’t rely on force—we rely on relationship. Good training comes from reading subtle cues: the flick of an ear, the tension in their jaw, the shift of weight before they spook.

Building that communication takes patience, empathy, and respect. Over time, you build a language together. That’s what makes horsemanship so powerful—it’s about connection, not control.

That’s why so many of us take offense at the idea that a horse is “just livestock.” No farmer builds a deep emotional bond with a piece of machinery. But every horse person can tell you about the moment their horse finally trusted them. About the quiet ride when everything just clicked. About how losing a horse feels like losing a piece of your heart.

That’s what the Equine Partner Protection Act is about—getting the law to reflect what horse owners already know: horses are thinking, feeling partners who deserve real protection.

What Needs to Change in Ohio

Step 1: Reclassify Horses that are used for recreation as “Equine Partners”

The goal isn’t to turn every horse into a house pet—it’s to create a legal category that reflects reality.Horses that are kept for recreation, sport, therapy, or companionship should be protected as Equine Partners under Ohio law.

This small change would have a huge impact:

• Abuse and neglect cases could carry felony penalties

• Humane agents could act faster to remove suffering animals

• Courts could treat horses with the seriousness they deserve

Step 2: Train Law Enforcement and Humane Agents

Once the law changes, agencies need to be trained on how to handle equine cases.A horse left without shelter in January isn’t a “farm issue”—it’s a cruelty issue.If humane officers understood how horses live, communicate, and depend on humans, we’d see far fewer tragedies.

Step 3: Educate the Public

Most people assume horses already have strong protection under the law. They don’t.That’s why education matters. Every rider, trainer, farrier, and equine business owner can help by talking about this issue and sharing why it matters.

Write to your local paper. Talk to your barn friends. Use your social media voice. When lawmakers hear from horse people—not just lawyers or activists—they listen.

Step 4: Work Together for Legislative Change

This movement isn’t about attacking farmers. It’s about acknowledging that horses no longer fit the livestock mold. They’re family members, teachers, and healers.

By creating a special section in Ohio’s law for Equine Partners, we can ensure every horse in this state gets the respect and protection they’ve earned.

What Would Happen If Horses Were Classified Separately as Companion Animals?

If Ohio passed this change, here’s what it would mean:

1. Stronger Penalties for Abuse – Neglecting or harming a horse could carry felony charges, just like it does for dogs and cats.

2. Faster Response Times – Humane agents wouldn’t need to navigate agricultural red tape. They could act immediately in emergency situations.

3. Better Public Awareness – More people would understand that horses are sentient beings deserving of protection—not property.

4. Improved Training and Oversight – Agencies would be required to understand equine care standards and enforce them appropriately.

And maybe most importantly—it would show that Ohio recognizes the bond between humans and horses for what it truly is: a partnership built on communication and trust.

Two Real Stories That Show Why This Matters

Daisy the Therapy Horse

Daisy was part of a therapeutic riding program that helped children with autism. When her care declined due to staff turnover, the program reached out for help. But because horses are livestock, humane agents couldn’t intervene under the stronger animal cruelty laws.

Weeks went by. Daisy’s health worsened. When she was finally removed, it was through agricultural channels, not humane ones. If she had been considered a companion animal, she would’ve been safe within days—not months.

The Forgotten Gelding

A neglected gelding in rural Ohio stood tied to a post, ribs visible through his coat. The owner insisted, “He’s just a farm horse.” The classification stalled the case. Months later, after public pressure, authorities stepped in.

That gelding survived. But the delay proved a point: the system protects the word livestock, not the living being tied to it.

FAQ: Common Questions About Horse Classification in Ohio

Q: Why are horses still considered livestock?Because Ohio law hasn’t changed in decades. Horses were once farm animals. Now they’re partners—but the law hasn’t caught up.

Q: Would reclassifying horses hurt farmers?No. Horses used in agriculture would remain livestock. The new classification would apply to horses kept for companionship, sport, or therapy.

Q: What are the penalties for horse abuse now?Usually misdemeanors, even for severe neglect. Reclassification would make serious cases felonies.

Q: How can horse people help?

• Contact your Ohio state representative

• Support the Equine Partner Protection Act of 2025

• Share your story online using #ProtectOhioHorses

• Talk to your barn community and local rescues

Building a Future That Reflects Our Values

We spend years building trust with our horses.We teach them to yield, to listen, to move toward us instead of away from us.We earn that bond, one quiet moment at a time.

Shouldn’t our laws do the same?

It’s time for Ohio’s legal system to recognize what every horse person already knows: these animals are not tools or property—they’re companions. They learn our language, read our moods, and give us their trust.

By passing the Equine Partner Protection Act, we can make sure they get the protection they’ve always deserved.

Get Involved

• Read the current law: Ohio Revised Code § 959.131

• Learn about state cruelty statutes: Animal Legal Defense Fund – Ohio Summary

• Join the movement by signing up on our website as a member.

Together, we can redefine what it means to care for horses in Ohio—and finally make the law match the love we already show them every day.