'Horse friendly' legislation signed in Arizona

Phoenix

-- Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed legislation to create a registry of equine rescue facilities and a public list of those facilities. The bill also bans the controversial practice of horse tripping.

Originally introduced as a measure to address animal fighting, the bill was later amended to incorporate other "horse friendly" measures.

Horse tripping is the practice of roping the legs of a galloping horse, causing the horse to trip and fall.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the American Quarter Horse Association both forbid the practice, and it has been banned in film and television production for more than 50 years.

Other states like Nebraska passed legislation last year banning the practice too.

The latest Arizona law calls for the creation of a registry of equine rescue facilities and a public list of registered equine rescue facilities at the Department of Agriculture offices and on the department's Web site.