Priscilla Presley has teamed up with officials at The Humane Society of the United States to back a new law, which will protect horses from the cruel practice of soring.

Elvis Presley's ex-wife was inspired by her fondness for the animals to join with other celebrities and veterinarians to call for the Prevent All Soring Tactics (Past) Act of 2013 - a bill aimed at ending the practice of deliberately inflicting pain to gaited horses in order to produce a high-stepping trot for competitions.

She says, "Over the years, Elvis and I owned several Tennessee walking horses, and I know them to be gentle, graceful creatures.

"Today, 43 years after the passage of the federal Horse Protection Act that was intended to end the terrible practice of soring, these horses continue to suffer at the hands of abusive trainers. I'm calling on Congress to pass the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act to finally end this torture."