HERD ABOUT IT?  Equine News

Cazenovia College Wants to Expand Equine Alley

From: Newport Television LLC

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Central New York may soon be known for another type of industry: the equine industry. Cazenovia College is behind an effort to grow the horse industry in an area known as "Equine Alley."

The college's president, Mark Tierano, says it didn't begin as a planned effort, but rather something that developed on its own. "We haven't centered an agenda on this, it's pretty much been on it's own and unlike other aspects of agriculture equine is very segmented."

Now the New York State Center for Equine Business Development at the college's Equine Education Center is working to harness all that potential into something that can grow. "New York currently generates nearly two-percent of the nation's equine activity. We could easily grow that percentage. I could easily see five billion dollars worth of economic activity per anum."

According to the Center, 35,200 total jobs in the state are related to the equine industry, 12,700 of those directly. Equine-related business now accounts for $2.36 billion of New York State's annual economic activity. In Cazenovia, where the Center is located just a few miles from the main street in Cazenovia, shops are hopping to cash in on some of that money. The Center believes it will have a statewide impact of $184 million over the next five years.

Melissa Davis says she saw the potential in the Cazenovia area and moved her store from Fayetteville in November. Since then, business for her has jumped 30%. "It's kind of the northern spot for the horse enthusiast for the summer time. There's a place in the South in Florida call Wellington and that's the place for the horse enthusiast in the winter, so if we could have this spot be the northern spot like a mini-Wellington that would be fantastic."

The Equine Education Center hopes to accomplish exactly that, by reigning in all of Equine Alley's potential.

New York Farm Bureau Urges Support For Equine Bills

February 22, 2010 State Focus

New York Farm Bureau members are en–couraging lawmakers to approve two equine-related measures. One bill would remove the sales tax on commercial horse boarding and farriers, while the other would limit the liability of farmers who make their premises available to others for recreational use. The sales tax legislation (A.9066, S.2985) clarifies a law established in 2000 to provide sales tax relief to farm-related purchases by spe–cifying that all services provided by com–mercial horse boarding operations would be exempt from sales tax. The Equine Activity Safety Code Act (A.843, S.4567) limits the liability of farmers, u-pick owners and equine facility operators for injuries incurred while a person was participating in activities offered at the operations. For equine facilities, the bill specifically provides an exemption from liability of a horse facility operator for an injury of a horse rider at the facility if the injury results from the inherent risks of equine activities. Facility operators would still be held responsible for their own acts of gross negligence.

New York Farm Bureau has taken the lead in NYS to support all of the equine community. The New York Equine industry contributes greatly to the quality of life in New York State. There are over 197,000 horses, mules, donkeys and burrows presently located in NYS, at over 35,000 different locations. The assets associated with this community is over 10.4 billion. We have 987,000 acres of land devoted to equine purposes in NYS with over 12,000 jobs to support it.

New York Farm Bureau has worked hard to help equine on the farm. It has obtained sales tax exemptions for horse farmers and commercial horse boarders from State sales tax for many products purchased for the farm, saving farmers millions. Sucessfully lobbied for commercial horse-boarding operations to be included in the definition of "farm operation" under the Agricultural Districts program. We also lobbied for and got property tax exemptions for new farm structures and buildings on horse farms. Secured legislation that allows Thoroughbred breeders to include their breeder' awards in income calculation used for agricultural assessments and now we are asking for help to pass legislation to remove sales tax from boarding stable and farriers. This bill has sponsors and we hope will come up for a vote this coming year. There is also another very important bill called the "equine activity safety code act" which limits liability to  farmers who make their premises available to others  for recreational use. We are looking forward to this bill being brought up for a vote. New York Farm Bureau is urging everyone in the equine community to contact their legislators and ask for their support

Hans J Mobius
Chairman NYS FB Equine Committee

Benefits for Horse Industry in “Mini” Jobs Bill Just Passed  March 18,2010

Congress has passed a second jobs bill, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (HIRE Act), which includes an extension of the expensing allowance through 2010 and other provisions to stimulate employment.  President Obama is expected to sign it as soon as he receives it.

Last year Congress passed the Stimulus Bill that included bigger write-offs for horses and other property purchased and placed in service during 2009.  But these provisions expired at the end of 2009.  The new HIRE Act extends one of the benefits, the so-called Section 179 expense deduction for assets, including horses, purchased and placed in service through 2010.  The bill does not extend bonus depreciation, which expired at the end of 2009. 

The HIRE Act also includes a few other provisions that may impact horse owners. 

Expensing Allowance
The Section 179 expense deduction allows an owner who purchases a horse or other business property and places it in service in 2010 to expense up to $250,000 of the cost.  This applies to horses, farm equipment and any depreciable property used in a business.  Once total purchases of horses and other eligible property reach $800,000, the expense allowance goes down one dollar for each dollar spent over $800,000.

To illustrate the expensing allowance, assume a horse business purchases $750,000 of depreciable property in 2010, including $650,000 for horses.  That business can write off $250,000 on its 2009 tax return and depreciate the balance.  If instead, purchases were $900,000, the expense allowance would go down by $100,000.

This provision would benefit any business involved in the horse industry that purchases and places depreciable property in service in 2010.

Other Provisions
The new legislation also includes provisions to forgive payroll taxes for hiring unemployed workers and gives a business tax credit of $1,000 for every new employee retained for 52 weeks to be taken on the employer’s 2011 tax return.  These provisions are designed to boost employment.

Please call the AHC if you have any questions. 202-296-4031 http://horsecouncil.org/

March For Mustangs! March 25, 1-3pm

@ Lafayette Park (across from White House) and march to BLM (Bureau of Land Management) offices at 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC

The time has come for Americans to stand together and demand that the BLM do the job of protecting and respecting wild horses and burros
Become part of the movement—our voices are making a difference for America’s wild horses, and now is the time to keep the pressure on.  It’s been a long, difficult fight and we need you to join your voice and stand with us in Washington DC for the horses.

America’s wild mustangs are under siege and in as grave a danger today as they ever have been in the history of the U.S. The dangers they face come directly from our U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management and their savage roundups, under the guise that they are controlling wild horse populations and public lands.  The most recent violent and unprecedented roundups were held during the winter months, when the horses are most stressed by environmental conditions, and when many mares are pregnant. These Calico roundups out West resulted in 95 mustang deaths, 35 of which were prematurely born foals. These horses were chased by helicopter at very high speeds down mountainsides, across extremely rugged terrain for very long distances in subzero weather.

One example of the BLM’s brutality is the story of a foal, which The Cloud Foundation has named Hope, who was separated from his mother during the stampede and couldn’t keep up with her during the 14-mile chase. He ran so furiously, so terrified, his hooves separated from the bone. He literally ran his little hooves off.  He was then loaded into an enclosed trailer, forced to endure a four hour journey at which point he was then removed only to be shot by the BLM.  This story unfortunately is not unique.  Once caught these wild horses endure hardships and abuse and more times than not, ending with death by slaughter.  The BLM has proven itself to be nothing more than an ill informed and misguided “animal control” unit for our public lands.  Our wild horses deserve and have the right to so much more.

We can end these terrifying roundups, and ensure that free-roaming horses and burros receive genuine and full protection of the law — but only by raising our voices and acting in large numbers.  This madness must stop.  Wild mustangs and burros must be respected.

We assert that the only way to truly protect wild mustangs on the pockets of land that constitute their habitat is to empower them to remain free as the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 law intended. Assaults on these horses run counter to this federal law that has been in place for 39 years.  But the U.S. government’s willingness to serve the interests of agribusiness by cheaply leasing nearly all public lands with any forage potential, compromises the well-being of wild horses on the very range-lands the government is charged with protecting. It is clear horses are being removed so that they don’t compete with cows, sheep and other animals for water and grasses.  Further gross mismanagement is proved by the fact that these roundups take place despite the fact that the BLM has admitted to not having accurate numbers of herd populations or even knowing their location.  An immediate moratorium on all roundups must take place while an independent board takes accurate assessment of the range conditions and wild horse population.

Please join this nationwide movement to save America’s mustangs. Rallies have been held across the country in nearly in a dozen states, and now we’re taking it to our Nation’s capital—and voicing our outrage to both the White House and the steps of the BLM—and demanding a moratorium on the roundups.

We’ll be gathering at Lafayette Park, directly across from the White House, for a rally and press conference with wonderful keynote speakers, among them Ginger Kathrens, creator of the famous Cloud documentaries, R.T. Fitch, author of Straight from the Horse’s Heart, and other surprise speakers.  Then we’ll be marching with banners and posters to take our rally to the BLM offices.

The time has come for Americans to stand together and demand that the BLM do the job of protecting and respecting wild horses and burros.

Info: www.thecloudfoundation.org
Ques: Jo: jo@degeorgedynamic.com
BLM Washington, DC office: 202.208.3801

Unwanted Horse Coalition Releases Best Practices Handbook

Washington , DC – January 4, 2010

The Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) has published a handbook entitled Best Practices: How Your Organization Can Help Unwanted Horses.  The handbook is part of the UHC’s continuing effort to get the horse community more involved in solving the problem of unwanted horses.  If the horse community is to succeed in lessening the problem of unwanted horses, more organizations and more events, large and small, regardless of their breed or discipline, must institute activities and programs to deal with their horses after their active lives are over or when their owners are no longer able to care for them. 

Many equine organizations, events and service providers have already instituted programs to help ensure that no horse becomes unwanted.  The Best Practices Handbook lists many of these activities and other initiatives that those in the horse industry can undertake.  The handbook includes sections on administration, continuing education, fundraising, support of equine care facilities, matchmaking, direct assistance, breeding control, and euthanasia.

The Best Practices Handbook outlines various examples of successful programs and activities already in place with other organizations.  There are thousands of associations, events, activities, service providers, commercial suppliers, meetings, trail rides, etc. in the horse community.  Regardless of whether you are involved with a large organization, a small show, a racetrack, or a veterinary clinic, there are ideas in this booklet that can be adopted and put into place.  If each gets involved in some fashion, the industry can go a long way toward solving the problem of excess horses.

“The more educated our industry becomes in regard to unwanted horses and the more effort that we put into it, the more we can do to help our horses,” said UHC Chairman, Dr. Tom Lenz. “We hope the Best Practices Handbook will give everyone some ideas to pursue.  If each organization gets involved, even with a single activity, the industry can go a long way toward solving this problem.”

The UHC is distributing its Best Practices Handbook to organizations and facilities around the country. The handbook is also available for download on the UHC’s website: www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org.

For more information about the UHC or the Best Practices Handbook please contact Ericka Caslin, UHC Director, at ecaslin@horsecouncil.org or by calling 202-296-4031.

The Unwanted Horse Coalition
The mission of the Unwanted Horse Coalition is to reduce the number of unwanted horses and improve their welfare through education and the efforts of organizations committed to the health, safety and responsible care and disposition of these horses. The UHC grew out of the Unwanted Horse Summit, which was organized by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and held in conjunction with the American Horse Council’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in April 2005. The summit was held to bring key stakeholders together to start a dialogue on the unwanted horse in America . Its purpose was to develop consensus on the most effective way to work together to address the issue. In June 2006, the UHC was folded into the AHC and now operates under its auspices.

Horse rescue network saves hundreds of horses from slaughter in one year

Another Chance 4 Horses, a Pennsylvania horse rescue, only has barn and pasture facilities for approximately 40 horses at a time, but the need is much greater.  Add to that  daily chores, hay, grain, farrier, dentist,  veterinarian care,  and there never seems to be enough hours in the day. Then add the phone calls constantly coming in from people who have felt the crunch of the economy and who  have no funds left over to care and feed their own horses. New ideas come from need, and besides the legion of volunteers whose steadfast dedication to the horses at Another Chance 4 Horses cleaning, mucking, exercising and training horses, started the Horse Helpers to network and help rehome more horses in desperate need.

There is a lot of hard work, dedication, and great organizational skills from a  staff of volunteers that have made  possible in 2009 to save over 600 horses from abuse, neglect and slaughter. Horse Helpers, numbering 25  volunteer participants post on over 40  internet sites, local newspapers and other  media opportunities relaying  information about horses for adoption, horses for sale, horses in danger, auction and broker owned horses ... all needing homes. Horse Helpers also  help to track down past owners, past breeders and even reunite horses and owners who have been searching  years for each other.

Christy Sheidy, co-founder of Another Chance 4 Horses, finds the work of the Horse Helpers an incredible way to network across the US and even internationally.

"We basically have two categories at our rescue," explains Sheidy. " We have the Thoroughbred division and the other category includes all other  horse breeds.  For instance, we placed 95 Thoroughbreds this year. The Horse Helpers were able to look up tattoo numbers and trace their owners and trainers if the horse had ever raced. Some responsible owners and trainers are ecstatic when we inform them that we found their horse in a killpen, and these people  step up to the plate.   Danny Limongelli, an owner who races his horses in the mid-Atlantic region was shocked when his three race horses landed up in Unadilla and  were purchased by a kill-buyer for slaughter. Limongelli paid to rescue them, and the horses were adopted out  through the placement program. We also had a chance to educate him and sent him information about using signed protection contracts for this horses."

According to Lisa Amarino, volunteer Horse Helper  for the Thoroughbred division, " It is my continued hope especially with the onset of several tracks instituting  zero tolerance policies, that more and more owners and trainers will become more agreeable to want to ensure their horses' safety once their race careers are over and to prevent the owners and trainers from the possibilities of  losing their racing privileges at the tracks that are enforcing the zero tolerance policies."

There have been 56 horses other than Thoroughbreds placed with protective contracts this past year..  The Horse Rescue Coalition, a group of rescue organizations that network throughout the US and started by Another Chance 4 Horses placed horses with protective contracts, many of the horses going to other HRC approved horse rescue organizations  up and down the Eastern states ranging from South Florida to Maine.

Another Chance 4 Horses also has a separate division which acts as an intermediary service to provide horses with a larger viewing audience and more  time for  the horses to be viewed  as  when they originally went through the local auction rings.  All levels and breeds of horses are offered by several different horse brokers. Another Chance 4 Horses was able to successfully find placement for 240 of these horses.

Other programs used were zero fee and  consignment horse sections on the website.

And as for bringing public awareness, Another Chance 4 Horses continues to  research and report such findings as wild mustangs sent to slaughter despite the Bureau of Land Management denials. The  reportings also  brought to the public eye, the story of  Ernie Paragallo, a fixture in New York horse racing who has been charged with multiple counts of horse neglect and abuse and ultimately had his agent's license revoked by The New York State Racing and Wagering Board. The first three horses from Paragallo's farm were discovered at a broker barn  ready to ship to slaughter in Canada. Another 170 horses were saved from Paragallo's Center Brooke Farm as a result ofl the original investigation. In addition the Racing Board has made plans to tighten its ownership and plan to do site checks rather than just a census.

The New Year 2010 has started, and horses are in need of  homes. The Horse Helpers are ready and the work of Another Chance 4 Horses continues.

If you are interested in more information about Another Chance 4 Horses or you would like to become a Horse Helper  click here http://www.anotherchance4horses.com

National Welfare Code of Practice Endorsed

A national Welfare Code of Practice has been endorsed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Trotting Association.  The Welfare Code of Practice, drafted by the American Horse Council, outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care, use, enjoyment, transport and retirement of horses. 

“We hope that as many organizations as possible will endorse it to show that the industry as a whole is committed to the welfare and safety of the horse,” said AHC President Jay Hickey.  “We know that the safety and welfare of our horses is very important to us.  We hope that this code will be another indication to others that the horse community takes its responsibilities to our horses very seriously.” 

Many associations have undertaken studies, reviews, and initiatives that indicate their commitment to the welfare of their horses.  Representatives from numerous national organizations provided an update on their welfare activities at the AHC’s National Issues Forum last summer.  That forum is available for on-demand viewing on www.horsetv.com.  It is important to share these efforts with the horse community so everyone can educate themselves on the best welfare practices throughout the sport. This generic code is simply a continuation of that effort.

The AHC’s Welfare Code of Practice is not intended to replace or pre-empt those activities or any rules and regulations specific to a segment of the industry.  Rather it is hoped that the endorsement of a broad, more generic Welfare Code of Practice by as many organizations as possible will be another indication to the public, the media, federal and state officials and the horse community that the horse industry “Puts the Horse First.” 

“We fully support the AHC Welfare Code of Practice and encourage everyone associated with the horse to abide by its principles,” said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.  “It is important that the horse industry as a whole, regardless of breed or discipline, affirms its individual and collective commitment to horse welfare and safety.  It is equally important that the industry communicate with one voice on this important issue and the AHC is the right vehicle for doing so.”

“This Code of Practice stands to unite the equestrian community in it’s commitment to protect, honor, and ensure the safety and well-being of the horse which is the core of our sport,” noted John Long, CEO, United States Equestrian Federation, the National Governing Body of Equestrian Sport.

The AHC Welfare Code of Practice will also provide a guide for equine organizations that are formalizing a welfare philosophy and policy for their respective organizations.  “The American Horse Council Welfare Code of Practice provides a standard for the horse industry and equine organizations to evaluate their individual welfare policies and initiatives.  It clearly states the principles necessary to achieve a level of stewardship for the horse that always puts the welfare of the horse first,” said Dr. Jerry Black, past-President of the AAEP and Chair of the AHC’s Animal Welfare Committee.

 “I would strongly encourage all equine-related organizations to join us in signing the code of practice demonstrating their commitment to continuously ensuring the safety and welfare of our horses,” said Don Treadway, Executive Vice President, American Quarter Horse Association.  “By agreeing to a code of practice, we send a clear message to the public that we are committed to ensuring our horses are treated with compassion, dignity and respect.”

“We hope that as the Code is reviewed more organizations will endorse it.  Our goal is to have as many associations as possible sign on,” said Hickey. 

Welfare Code of Practice American Horse Council

Introduction
American society has grown away from its agrarian roots of only a few generations ago.  The horse, which was once a staple of American agriculture and general transportation, is now used primarily for breeding, competition, sport, recreation and entertainment, although there are still many horses used for work on farms and ranches, and in urban areas and exhibitions.

The horse industry is committed to the safety, health, care and welfare of all horses and to always “Put the Horse First.”

We address equine welfare and responsible care (1) by supporting a uniform Code of Practice regarding the responsible breeding, training, competing, care, use, enjoyment, health, transportation, and retirement of horses; and (2) by initiating communication with the public, the media, federal and state officials and within the horse community regarding these issues.

Our Commitment to all Horses and the Horse Industry 
The organizations listed below are committed to the principle that the welfare and safety of the horse is the guiding principle in the decision-making process for all owners, service providers, organizations, events and activities.

WE ARE COMMITTED to the dignity, humane care, health, safety and welfare of horses in all our activities and care.  These are our highest priorities.  We are the stewards of our horses and must be firm in the standards and practices that guide us.  Our first principle is:
The welfare, safety and stewardship of the horse is the guiding principle in the decision-making process for all segments for the horse industry.

WE ARE COMMITTED to promoting responsible breeding practices and to produce better horses, not just more horses. 

WE ARE COMMITTED to responsible training techniques.  All training should be done with the maturation and ability of the horse considered.  Horses should be prepared for competition with proper training and conditioning methods.  Excessive disciplining methods, whether in stables, training areas, or during competition, will not be tolerated. 

WE ARE COMMITTED to educating owners, trainers, veterinarians, competitors, exhibitors and recreational riders to ensure that they know and respect their horse’s abilities and limits, and their own, so as to not push the horse or themselves beyond their ability level.

WE ARE COMMITTED to making all competitions fair and ensuring all competitors an equal opportunity to succeed.   Performance-enhancing drugs, practices or equipment have no place in competitions or exhibitions.  Effective drug testing by accredited laboratories is essential to the safety and welfare of our horses and the public support of competitions, with appropriate penalties levied for violations.  The welfare of the horse must take precedence over the demands or expectations of owners, breeders, trainers, sellers, buyers, organizers, sponsors, officials, or spectators.

WE ARE COMMITTED to the welfare of the horse as paramount during competition.  The horse industry should invest in the infrastructure, environment and facilities to provide a safe environment for all horses in all activities, whether breeding, competing, or simply riding.  Any facilities that house horses should be committed to the appropriate care and treatment of all horses while in their facility, and should be designed with the environment and the intended use of the horse in mind. 

WE ARE COMMITTED to minimizing injuries to horses during training, competition, use, or work.  Whenever possible injury data should be collected, documented and reported to the governing body of the competition or any other injury database for analysis in order to ensure a safer environment.

WE ARE COMMITTED to the continual review, evaluation and improvement of all rules, regulations, policies and practices in all equine  activities, based on science (where indicated).  When warranted, they should be refined or changed.  This includes existing practices to ensure they are not being perceived as acceptable, particularly if new research has called them into question. 

WE ARE COMMITTED to providing continuing education on all activities involving horses and eliminate inhumane practices as well as strengthening sanctions for non-compliance. 

WE ARE COMMITTED to educating all people who own or work with horses to ensure they are knowledgeable in the proper husbandry, care, and handling of horses.   Each horse should be observed frequently to ensure that they are healthy.  In consultation with a veterinarian, all such individuals should develop a sound health care program, appropriate to the facilities, environment and needs of the horses.

WE ARE COMMITTED to providing an environment in which anyone aware of equine cruelty or neglect is willing to report it to the proper local, state or federal authorities.  Should an incident occur at an event it should be reported to judges, stewards, responsible authorities or the sanctioning organization.

WE ARE COMMITTED to improving the health and welfare of horses through scientific research, collaboration, advocacy and the development of appropriate rules.  The industry should continue to support and work with the many individuals, universities, veterinarians and foundations doing and funding equine health and welfare research in order to reduce injuries and improve health.

WE ARE COMMITTED to horse owners and caretakers ensuring horses in their care are current on vaccinations and following best practices to minimize infection and disease.     When a disease outbreak occurs horse owners and events must act quickly and responsibly, monitor the horses, report the outbreak to, and cooperate with, veterinarians, authorities, facility management and all stakeholders to bring a rapid resolution to the outbreak.

WE ARE COMMITTED to ensuring that our horses will have an opportunity to transition to additional careers, uses or activities as the need arises.  When necessary, owners and veterinarians may have to consider end-of-life decisions.  The welfare, safety and dignity of the horse must continue to be the guiding principle in deciding how and when to provide a humane death.    

WE ARE COMMITTED to being transparent about our activities in order to ensure the public, the media, federal, state and local officials and the various segments of the horse community understand what we do, why we do it, and support it.

AHP Newsgroup: Equine Industry Survey Launched by American Horse Publications

The American Horse Publications (AHP) is conducting an Equine Industry Survey to gauge participation trends in the U.S. equine industry. In addition, the survey seeks to gather information regarding the most important issues facing the industry.
 
Dr. C. Jill Stowe is providing consulting services for data collection and analysis to the AHP. Dr. Stowe is an assistant professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky.
 
The survey is sponsored by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and Pfizer Animal Health.
 
Those eligible to participate in the survey are men and women, 18 years of age and older, who currently own, manage, or lease at least one horse and live in the United States.
 
The survey closes January 15, 2010.
 
This study is anonymous; this means that no one, not even members of the research team, will be able to associate information you give with responses. When the survey results are tallied, only aggregated results will be presented.
 
“The AHP’s member publications, Web sites, and newsletters reach nearly 3 million people involved in the horse industry in the United States and around the world,” said Kimberly S. Brown, current AHP president.  It was Brown who proposed the survey, which was backed unanimously by the AHP board.
 
“We have been through a rough year, and there are many stories out there of unwanted horses and the decline of the horse industry,” noted Brown.  “But I think the real story is the wanted horses and their owners who are still strong despite the economic downturn.
 
“We think this is a great opportunity for us to use our collective resources and reach into the horse industry to get answers about how we are doing today, how we think we’ll be doing in the near future, and what we are concerned about in our industry.
 
“Let’s get 100,000 or more horse owners to participate in this survey!” said Brown.  “We have a wonderful chance to come together to gather information that can benefit us all, so spread the word!”
 
“I especially want to thank Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and Pfizer Animal Health for sponsoring this survey,” said Brown.  “Both of these companies­and the people behind the companies­are supporters of the horse industry because of their love of the horse, not just because it’s their business.  And I want to thank Dr. Stowe for being willing to contribute her time and expertise to ensure we have a legitimate survey with accurate statistical analysis.”
 
To take the survey just click on https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bIUU08nvuI_2fLQ1Q0_2fdEyOQ_3d_3d .
 
Feel free to pass this link around to every horse-owning group and individual.
 
AHP is a non-profit association that promotes better understanding and communications within the equine publishing industry; members include equine-related publications, Web sites, professionals, students, organizations, and businesses
 
For More Information, Contact: Chris Brune
49 Spinnaker Circle Dr., So. Daytona, Fl  32119
(386) 760-7743 Fax: (386) 760-7728
Email: Ahorsepubs@Aol.Com or www.Americanhorsepubs.Org

Tourism Promotion Bill Passes Senate   AHC WASHINGTON UPDATE

September 10, 2009
   On September 9, the Senate passed the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (S.1023) introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND). This bill could benefit tourism involving the horse industry and is similar to legislation passed by the House of Representatives last year.
Background
  Equine tourism is a growing and diverse segment of the horse industry. Because it encompasses many parts of the industry including recreation, showing and racing its continued growth will be beneficial to the entire horse industry. If equine tourism in the U.S. is to expand it is important that the United States promote its tourism industry abroad.
Travel Promotion Act of 2009
  The purpose of the bill is to market the U.S. as a tourist destination to people around the world. It would create a non-profit Corporation for Travel Promotion. This corporation would be responsible for correcting misperceptions regarding U.S entry policies, and providing useful information to foreign tourists and others interested in traveling to the United States.
  Notably, the bill requires the Corporation for Travel Promotion to “identify opportunities and strategies to promote tourism to rural and urban areas equally.” A travel promotion fund requiring non-federal matching funds would also be established.
  The bill would also authorize the creation of an Office of Travel Promotion in the Department of Commerce. This office would support and encourage the development of programs to increase the number of international visitors to the United States. In general this office would be responsible for disseminating information to international visitors about U.S. entry procedures. Additionally it would collect data on the number of international visitors to each State and support State, regional, and private sector initiatives to promote travel to and within the United States.
Status
  The Travel Promotion Act of 2009 now awaits action by the House of Representatives. Since similar legislation passed the House last year it is hoped that this bill will be acted upon quickly.
AHC Position
  This bill could benefit all segments of the horse industry through promotion of American equine tourism abroad and increase the number of international visitors to the U.S. who participate in equestrian events and activities.

The AHC supports this legislation.

"Establishment of the New York State Center for Equine Business Development"
Cazenovia College, Equine Education Center, Woodfield Road , Cazenovia, NY

August 25, 2009
   Cazenovia College welcomes NYS Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) and U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer to its Equine Education Center (Woodfield Road in Cazenovia) tomorrow, Tuesday, August 25, 2009 . At a scheduled 9 A.M. press announcement , Cazenovia College President Mark J. Tierno will formally pronounce the establishment of the New York State Center for Equine Business Development at Cazenovia College.
   President Tierno will elaborate on the new initiative that will have a statewide economic impact of $184 million over the next five years, and one that will spearhead a coordinated statewide approach to strengthening and sustaining the equine sector of the State's economy.
   Senators Valesky and Schumer, as well as John Madden, founder of the Syracuse International Sporthorse Tournament , will speak on their support of the Center, which will serve as a clearinghouse for equine business-related solutions, explore state-of-the-art management methods, and foster job and entrepreneurial growth throughout New York State. Olympic Champion Beezie Madden will also be present to show her support for the new Center.
   Cazenovia College, Senators Valesky and Schumer, and John and Beezie Madden invite you to join us for this announcement as we collectively celebrate a coordinated statewide approach to a sustainable equine industry.

AHC Congressional Cavalry Action Alert:  Support the GAO Study of Unwanted Horses

August 20, 2009
   In September, members of Congress will convene a Conference Committee to work out differences in the House and Senate versions of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. This Conference Committee will determine whether the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will study the status of horse welfare as it relates to the closing of horse slaughter plants in the United States .  The AHC supports such a study.

Background
   On August 4, 2009, the Senate passed its version of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (H.R.2997).  This bill will provide funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2010.
   The Senate Appropriations Committee Report (No.111-39) accompanying this legislation directs the GAO to study the status of horse welfare as it relates to the closing of horse slaughter facilities in the United States.
   The House passed its version of the USDA appropriations bill on July 9, 2009.  There is no provision in the House package seeking a GAO study.
   The House and Senate now have to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the bill through a conference committee that includes representatives of both the House and Senate.  That committee is expected to begin meeting shortly after Labor Day to decide, among other things, if the GAO study will be part of the final appropriations bill.

GAO Study
   The GAO is an independent federal agency that Congress often turns to for reports and analysis of important issues.  GAO evaluates federal programs and policies; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other data to help Congress make informed oversight, policy, and funding decisions.
   The AHC supports this GAO study.  Currently, there is little hard data on this issue.  Such a study could provide valuable information to the horse industry as it deals with the unwanted horse issue.
   The Senate legislation directs the GAO to study the following issues:
   How the horse industry has responded to the closure of U.S. horse slaughter facilities in terms of both the numbers of horse sales, exports, adoptions, or abandonments; the implications these changes have had on farm income and trade; the extent to which horses in the United States are slaughtered for any purpose; any impacts to State and local governments and animal protection organizations; how the Department oversees the transport of horses destined for slaughter in foreign countries, particularly Canada and Mexico; the manner in which the Department coordinates with the Department of the Interior and State governments to assist them in identifying, holding and transporting unwanted horses for foreign export; and general conclusions regarding the welfare of horses as a result of a ban on horse slaughter for human consumption.
   The GAO report is to be issued March 1, 2010.

Action
   Now is the time to contact the following members of Congress who will be part of the Conference Committee.
   The following members of Senate will be conferees:
Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT), Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO), Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE), Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), 

The House has not yet appointed its members who will serve on the Conference Committee, but we anticipate the following Representatives will be conferees:
David R. Obey (D-WI), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Jack Kingston (R-GA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Tom Latham (R-IA), Allen Boyd (D-FL), Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Rodney Alexander (R-LA), Lincoln Davis (D-TN), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Maurice D. Hinchey (D-NY), Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-IL),  , If your Senator or Representative is on this list please contact him/her and urge them to support the GAO study in the Final Conference Report.

Attached is a sample letter that can be used as a starting point for you to craft letters to these Representatives and Senators.  You should personalize it with information about yourself if you can.  Please fax or email it to these Representatives and Senators because regular mail must go through a long security process.

Contact information for these Representatives and Senators can be found at http://www.house.gov/ and http://www.senate.gov/ or call the AHC.

As always, please send copies of any emails, letters or faxes you provide to your elected Representatives or Senators to the AHC at bpendergrass@horsecouncil.org or fax to (202) 296-1970. 

American Horse Council • 1616 H Street NW 7th Floor • Washington , DC 20006 • Office: 202-296-4031 • Fax: 202-296-1970 • Email: ahc@horsecouncil.org • Web Address: www.horsecouncil.org

EEE Activity in New York State

ALERT 7/14/2009
   On July 10, the New York Department of Public Health reported the first positive finding of EEE from a mosquito pool collected on July 1 from Toad Harbor Road in Oswego County. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) continues to be a threat each year to horses and humans. Horse owners need to be prepared NOW for possible EEE activity in the upcoming months. Horses should be vaccinated to protect them from EEE as well as other arboviruses like West Nile Virus. The incidence of morbidity and mortality in EEE vaccinated horses is much lower than that of non vaccinated horses. Likewise it is important for horse owners as well as humans in this area to take precautions regarding contact with mosquitoes. Efforts should be made to reduce standing water to minimize mosquito breeding sites, which can be difficult considering the amount of rain we have been receiving around the State, making vaccination even more important as a control measure. Humans should take their own precautions during this time. Wearing protective clothing and mosquito repellents as well as minimizing time outside during dawn and dusk can all reduce mosquito bites. Through the years EEE has been found sporadically in New York State. Each year the state monitors for EEE activity by testing mosquitoes, animals and people.
   Updated information can be found at the following websites:
For Horses - www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine
For Humans - www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/eastern_equine_encephalitis/fact_sheet.htm

FAST FACTS: Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis
   Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease of all equine species such as horses, asses, and zebras. After infection, equines may suddenly die or show progressive central nervous system disorders. The rapidity of deterioration and eventual outcome of infection vary among individual horses.
   The equine mortality rate due to EEE ranges from 75 to 90 percent. Humans can also contract this disease. Healthy adults who become infected by the virus may experience flu-like symptoms such as high fevers and headaches. The young, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems can become severely ill or die from this disease. More information regarding the human form of EEE can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov.
   History: Eastern equine encyphalomyelitis virus (EEEV) is thought to have been the cause of EEE in North American horses since 1831. However, the virus itself may have been present in its endemic form long before that. The virus did not receive its name until a major outbreak occurred in horses in coastal areas of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia in 1933. Additional outbreaks occurred in Virginia and North Carolina in 1934 and 1935 respectively. Mosquitoes were first determined to be potential carriers of EEEV in 1934. Since then, a number of studies have shown that various mosquito species of Aedes and Culex could become infected with and transmit EEEV from one vertebrate to another. It was during the 1935 outbreak that birds were considered to be a possible reservoir host for the virus, but it was not until 1950 that the first virus isolation was made from a wild bird proving that to be true. Subsequent studies have shown that many birds, including almost all passerine species (i.e., jays, blackbirds, warblers, finches, and sparrows), are susceptible to EEEV infection. Because outbreaks of EEE are infrequent, the disease has a significant economic and social impact once a specific area has been identified. When the disease appears in an area for the first time, there is a loss of horses and/or poultry.  The area may also experience an increase in human morbidity and mortality.
   Clinical Signs: Equines infected with EEE may show one or more of the following signs:
• Fever
• Depression
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness
• Central nervous system disorders (lack of coordination, chewing movements, head pressing, "sawhorse" stance, circling, paddling motion of the limbs, and convulsions)
• Irritability and aggressiveness towards handlers
• Blindness
• Excitability
• Abnormal sensitivity to light and sound
   In some cases, horses infected with EEE may show no clinical signs before dying.
   Confusion with Other Diseases: The clinical signs of EEE can be confused with those of other diseases that affect the central nervous system. These include Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, West Nile equine encephalitis, African horse sickness, rabies, tetanus, and bacterial meningitis. EEE might also be mistaken for toxic poisoning. Definitive diagnosis can be made by isolating the virus in a laboratory or by testing blood for the presence of antibodies to the virus.
   How it Spreads: The virus that causes EEE is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes that bite an infected animal and then bite and feed on another animal or human. The speed with which the disease spreads depends on the density of mosquito populations.
   Control Measures: EEE probably will never be eradicated from the United States because of the reservoirs that exist in so many areas throughout the country. Therefore, continual vigilance and conscientious immunization programs will always be necessary. Monovalent, bivalent, or trivalent horse vaccines containing EEE are available. Horse owners should choose such vaccines depending on the prevalence or likely occurrence of the disease. General control measures aimed at reducing mosquito-carrying populations will significantly diminish but not eliminate the risk of equine infection.
   Report Suspicious Signs:Owners of equines have an essential role in preventing EEE from spreading. Horse owners are encouraged to vaccinate their animals and put safeguards in place that prevent animals= exposure to mosquitoes, as well as report any suspicious signs of EEE in animals to a veterinarian.
   For more information contact: USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services, 4700 River Road, Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 20737–1231, (301) 734–8093, Fax (301) 734–7817, www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/index.shtml

Lawmakers Want to Close Cruelty Loophole

Paul Post, Thoroughbred Times   5/27/2009

    New York lawmakers plan to introduce legislation that would close an apparent loophole and make mistreatment of race horses a felony.
   On April 10, Thoroughbred owner Ernest Paragallo was charged with 22 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, two days after authorities raided his Center Brook Farm in Climax, Greene County, and seized 177 horses, three of which had to be euthanized.
   On Paragallo has pleaded not guilty and is free on bail.
   On Unlike "Buster’s Law," which deals with the abuse of companion animals such as cats and dogs, equine cruelty does not carry felony status.
   On Assemblyman Tony Jordan (R-Greenwich) and state Senator Roy McDonald (R-Saratoga) both represent portions of Saratoga County, home of Saratoga Race Course. The lawmakers are seeking to make cruelty toward race horses a felony.
   On "As we are discovering now, a race horse breeder can be charged with the significant mistreatment of the animals he is employed to raise and ca re for, but there is no provision to charge him with a felony or ban him from complete involvement in horse racing," Jordan said. "This gap needs to be closed and this is exactly what Senator McDonald and I are going to work towards accomplishing by putting forward this legislation to bring about this necessary change.”
   On The bill, expected to be introduced shortly, would specifically be geared toward race horses, not farm animals. It would fall under state racing and wagering law, not agriculture and markets.
   On Jordan and McDonald said they plan to meet with racing leaders to make sure the law helps and protects horses and the industry. McDonald is a member of the Senate Racing, Wagering and Gaming Committee.
   On "We need to ensure the safety of these beautiful and incredible animals, because they play a significant role in the agricultural community here in upstate New York," he said. "We also need to protect our nationally recognized breeding program by preventing these animals from being mistreated, and also having the means to remove the individual who instituted that mistreatment. It is also important to recognize that studies have shown that people who hurt animals will eventually cause harm to other people."
   On A legal conference between prosecutors and Paragallo’s attorney is scheduled for June 22. The state Racing and Wagering Board and New York Racing Association have stripped him of all racing privileges pending the outcome of upcoming legal action.

Kentucky Horse Council Publishes Equine Minimum Standards of Care

Lexington, KY, July 21, 2009

   In an effort to provide a basic guideline for minimum horse care requirements, the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) recently developed an eight page educational guide called Minimum Standards for Equine Care in Kentucky. The guide is a free resource offered for educational purposes to horse owners, potential horse owners, law enforcement officials, and all horse interested individuals.
   Featuring photographs which depict healthy horses receiving good care Minimum Standards for Equine Care in Kentucky is appropriate for all horse owners. It includes information on minimum food, drink, space, and health care requirements for equines. In addition, the document encourages the practice of body condition scoring of horses using the Henneke Scale as a basis for the development of a feeding program regiment tailored to the unique needs of each individual horse.
    “Over the past few years, through our extensive work with neglected horses, we recognized the need for an educational resource detailing the basics of horse care. Minimum Standards for Equine Care in Kentucky is a great tool for investigators to provide education to horse owners who lack an understanding of the rudimentary needs of their horses,” emphasized Madelyn Millard, KHC Board President.
   Developed by the Kentucky Horse Council Health and Welfare Committee, the standards include information approved by equine veterinarians and humane officers.
   The color guide has been provided to all animal control and law enforcement officials who have successfully completed Equine Abuse Investigation Training offered by the Kentucky Horse Council. All future attendees will also be provided a printed copy. “This document is just one of the many ways the Kentucky Horse Council works to educate horse owners and law enforcement officials on the unique needs of horses,” Millard continued.
   Minimum Standards for Equine Care in Kentucky is free and available online by visiting www.kentuckyhorse.org. For more information or to download a copy visit www.kentuckyhorse.org or contact the Kentucky Horse Council at 859-367-0509 or email info@kentuckyhorse.org.

Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) Reported in Pennsylvania

July, 2009

Health Emergency Management and Information Network
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services
Craig Shultz, DVM, Director     c-animalem@state.pa.us
Telephone No:  717-772-2852     Fax No:  717-787-1868

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture reports that specimens collected from 3 of 4 horses at a boarding/riding stable in Allegheny County have tested positive for neurologic Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1). The 3 positive horses in addition to a fourth untested horse began developing neurologic signs on July 17, 2009 (progressive paralysis and recumbency) and deteriorated to a point where euthanasia was necessary.
   On Monday July 20, 2009, an official quarantine was placed on the entire premises including 4 barns housing 117 horses by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. A fifth horse has since developed signs of the disease. Thus far all horses that have developed clinical signs of EHV-1 were housed in the same barn. Testing and monitoring of temperatures of the remaining exposed horses is ongoing. Traces of all horses that might have left the facility since July 7th are underway and notifications will be given as results become available. The quarantine will remain in effect until a period o f 21 days has elapsed without relevant clinical signs in any horses. Once this point has been reached, all horses will be tested for Neurologic Equine Herpesvirus 1. The quarantine will be released when all horses test negative.
   Equine herpesvirus causes upper respiratory infection and in some cases severe neurological disease may develop. There is currently no known method to reliably prevent the neurologic form of EHV-1 infection. It is recommended to maintain appropriate vaccination procedures in an attempt to reduce the incidence of the respiratory form of EHV-1 infection. Transmission occurs primarily by direct nose to nose contact or contaminated hands, equipment, feed and water. It can also be spread up to 35 feet by airborn droplets. This virus is not associated with any human health risk.

DISCLAIMER: This notification does not constitute a press release from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The content is intended for the informational purposes of those involved in the animal health community in the Commonwealth.

House Passes the Restore Our American Mustangs Act

July 20, 2009

   On July 17 the House of Representatives passed the Restore Our American Mustangs Act (H.R. 1018).   Representative Rahall (WV-D) introduced the bill on February 12, 2009. This bill concerns the management and of wild free-roaming horses and burros. 
   In the 108^th Congress a provision of the 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill lifted the prohibition on the sale of wild horses and burros for commercial purposes and authorizing the Secretary of Interior to sell excess animals at public sales “without limitation” on their use.  This would allow these horses to be sold for slaughter. 
   Congressman Rahall’s bill would restore the federal prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros. It would also bar the Secretary of Interior from euthanizing any wild free-roaming horses or burros unless an animal is terminally ill.  Representative Rahall introduced similar legislation in the last Congress.
   The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to maintain an inventory of wild horses and burros on public lands, to protect and manage the population in an ecologically balanced manner and to designate and maintain specific ranges on public lands as sanctuaries for their protection and preservation.  This would include identifying new, “rangelands for wild free-roaming horses and burros, including use of land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, and voluntary grazing buyouts, and negotiate with private landowners to allow for the federally supervised protection of wild horses and burros on private lands.”
   This bill will now proceed to the Senate for consideration.

If you have any questions regarding this bill please call the AHC.

Horse farm education program expanding across New York
by www.farmanddairy.com

July 13, 2009

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A program to provide education and facilitate resources for horse farm businesses is trotting to horse owners throughout the state. The CCE Equine program was founded by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County in 2005.
   From the beginning, educators reached out to surrounding counties in the capital region, and are now attempting to make the service available statewide.

Topics
   CCE Equine provides workshops and one-on-one visits with horse owners on topics such as horse health, pasture management, forage quality, farm worker training, business planning, marketing and others.
   Equine education for adults is not a traditional offering of the county Cornell Cooperative Extension system, something CCE Equine was created to address.
   The New York Farm Viability Institute provided grant funds to help launch CCE Equine, as well as funding to take the service statewide.
   The New York Farm Viability Institute is a farmer-led nonprofit group that awards grants to projects that help farmers improve profitability and enhance the vitality of the state’s agriculture.
   The Institute received funding from the state legislature and Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Partnership
   CCE Equine recently partnered with the New York Farm Viability Institute to host listening sessions with horse owners around the state. The input was used to identify and prioritize opportunities and barriers to having a horse farm business in New York.
   The priorities are used by the New York Farm Viability Institute board of directors as it makes project funding decisions. The results of those listening sessions are available at www.nyfvi.org by clicking “Farmer-Identified Opportunity and Barrier Reports.”
   This fall, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County will hold a series of workshops for horse owners on farm business management, pasture management, animal waste and nutrition.

Subjects
   Among the subjects to be covered in the monthly course are: paddock management, property tax programs (such as) exemptions (and), ag assessment, general liability for boarding, training and riding, equine nutrition, dealing with manure, record keeping such as tracking expenses and revenues and handling equine mortalities.
   Ontario County’s resident horse population is 4,100 animals, with another 1,000 or more seasonal race horses. Working horses are the majority, about 60 percent, with pleasure horses being about 40 percent of the horse population. The working horses are raised as thoroughbreds, standard breeds, show, race and pull horses and include the Mennonite population.
   The growing horse numbers bring demand for programming around agricultural property assessments, manure management, fencing, trailer hauling, elder horse care and more.

Priorities
   Priorities include basic business management and pasture management. In addition to developing workshop templates, CCE Equine holds an annual Horse Symposium that attracts horse owners from throughout the northeast. They have several e-newsletters for equine interests.

For more information visit www.cceequine.org

The American Horse Council’s “Welfare of the Horse” Forum

   On Tuesday June 16, 2009 the American Horse Council held “The Welfare of the Horse” forum in Washington, DC. The Forum, sponsored by Luitpold, was held as part of the AHC’s National Issues Forum and featured speakers from segments of the horse community as varied as competition, sport, work and entertainment. Speakers and panelists discussed the many welfare and safety initiatives that various segments of the horse industry have in place or are instituting.
   The Welfare of the Horse forum created an opportunity for the industry to provide reports on the welfare and safety initiatives already in place and those that are being undertaken. It also lets the fans, the general public, the media, and elected officials know how important this is to the horse community.
   The forum is available for on-demand viewing on http://www.horsetv.com/hspan_ahc1.htm. H-SPAN is a digital channel providing coverage of industry symposiums, meetings, educational presentations and more on its equestrian television portal, HorseTV.com. It is a continuing service provided by HorseTV for the benefit of the international horse community, and its mission is to inform, educate, empower and unite the industry worldwide.
   Dr. Scott Palmer, a nationally-know veterinarian and past-president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, delivered the keynote address. Other featured speakers included Gary Carpenter, executive director of the American Quarter Horse Foundation, Cindy Schonholtz, president of the Animal Welfare Council, Dr. Tom Lenz, chairman of the Unwanted Horse Coalition and Dr. Gail Golab, Director, Animal Welfare Division of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
    The forum also included panels on racing, showing, sport, and work. The panels included representatives from racing, showing, eventing, hunter-jumpers, endurance riding, rodeo, carriage operators, polo, sales/auctions, entertainment and research. Representatives from national organizations involved in all these activities provided an update on their welfare activities. This was the most inclusive presentation on safety and welfare ever assembled in terms of its breadth and the activities and organizations involved.
   The forum can be viewed by visiting HorseTV.com and clicking on the H-SPAN icon

American Horse Council, 1616 H Street NW 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20006
Office: 202-296-4031, Fax: 202-296-1970, ahc@horsecouncil.org, www.horsecouncil.org

AHC Issues Forum to Focus on Horse Welfare

The American Horse Council ’s National Issues Forum, part of the AHC annual meeting to be held June 16, 2009, will focus on the “Welfare of the Horse.”

April 23, 2009 -- The American Horse Council ’s National Issues Forum will focus on the “Welfare of the Horse.” The Forum, which will feature speakers from segments of the horse community as varied as competition, sport, work and entertainment, will be held June 16, 2009 in Washington , DC as part of the AHC’s annual meeting.
   The forum will focus on the many welfare and safety initiatives that various segments of the horse industry have in place or are instituting. “This will be an opportunity for the industry to provide reports on all the safety initiatives in place and being undertaken to ‘Put the Horse First’,” said AHC president Jay Hickey. “We must let our fans, the general public, the media, and elected officials know how important the safety and welfare of the horse is to the horse community and what the industry is doing.”
   Dr. Scott Palmer, a nationally-know veterinarian and past-president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, will deliver the keynote address. Other featured speakers will be Gary Carpenter, executive director of the American Quarter Horse Foundation, Cindy Schonholtz , president of the Animal Welfare Council , and Dr. Tom Lenz, chairman of the Unwanted Horse Coalition. Additional speakers will be announced as they are named.
   The forum will also include panels on racing, showing, competition, sport, and horses used in work and entertainment. Representatives from national organizations involved in all these activities will provide an update on their welfare activities. “We believe that this will be the most inclusive presentation on safety and welfare ever assembled in terms of its breadth and the activities and organizations involved,” said Hickey. The forum will not only involve racing and showing, but also veterinarians, endurance riding, sport horses, rodeo, carriage operators, horses in entertainment and work. It will be an opportunity for attendees to learn about welfare initiatives in other segments of the horse world and how they might be adapted to their activities.
   The horse industry is a broad and diverse community; sometimes one segment is not aware of what other segments are doing. “There is much we can learn from each other,” said Hickey. “The AHC hopes that this National Issues Forum will be an opportunity to discuss the common goal of being good stewards of the horse and facilitate our all working together to that end, regardless of our particular activity.”
   More information on this Forum and the entire AHC annual meeting, including registration and hotel information, can be found on the AHC’s website, www.horsecouncil.org

The Humane and Optimal Restoration and Sustainability of Equines (HORSE) Act

[Proposed Legislation for introduction in the US Congress]

Please Note: THIS PRESS RELEASE WAS CREDITED IN ERROR -
It was NOT issued by the Equine Welfare Alliance, who is in direct opposition of any such legislation.
The Equine Welfare Alliance is promoting and fully supports the passage of the house and senate versions of the 2009 Equine Protection Act. They oppose and will actively campaign against any legislation that would continue the slaughter of American Horses.

   Horse owners and concerned citizens from across the Nation have come together with real solutions to ensure the humane care, management, and euthanasia of horses; to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of the equine industry; to restore the market for all horses; and to restore the habitat, and ensure well-managed sustainability for free-roaming wild herds on federal lands.  There is no disagreement whatsoever that all animals should be treated humanely from birth until death.
   The current federal legislation pertaining to horses, H.R. 503, “Prevention of Cruelty to Equines,” its corresponding Senate bill S. 727, and H.R. 1018, “amending the Free Wild Roaming Horses and Burros Act” are all misguided “feel good” bills that at first glance, and to a misinformed, emotionally manipulated public seem to protect horses—while, in fact, they do exactly the opposite. These bills and their horrific unintended consequences would institutionalize and codify a miserable, cruel, and barbaric death for hundreds of thousands of horses. Horses suffer from starvation, abandonment, and neglect by owners unable to sell or give their horses away.  Ultimately, these bills would spell the end to the use and enjoyment of horses by American citizens, because no country can afford to support an unchecked population of any species over the long term.
   Concerned citizens who sincerely seek the well-being of horses should understand that animals of all kinds require management and control. No jurisdiction in the country allows feral animals or native wildlife to reproduce unchecked to the point where they have eliminated their resource base and are starving, dying, and destroying the environment for all other species. The same immutable laws of nature apply to horses. To protect people and the environment, horses must be adopted or used by someone who has the resources to care for them, or be humanely euthanized, just like the local animal shelter euthanizes other animals that are not adopted.  Agencies and owners responsible for all forms of wildlife need to control numbers to preserve the resource base, and maintain ample deer, elk, bears, and wolves—so must we control numbers of wild horses and burros to ensure that our children and grandchildren can enjoy their presence on our public lands.
   Euthanasia is defined as a “good death” that is quick, painless and as stress-free as possible.  After euthanasia is provided, all legal, moral and ethical obligations for the well-being and care of that animal cease.  How the carcass is disposed of, or utilized, is entirely the prerogative, right, and responsibility of the animal’s owner.  For animals that have been trusted companions, loyal partners, and pets, this will generally mean a respectful burial or cremation depending on the owner’s philosophy and resources. For others the most appropriate option might be delivery to a rendering plant or a landfill.  Rendering plants reduce animal carcasses to oils and useful by-products such as soap, glycerin, lubricants, inks, cleansing creams, shampoo, glue, antifreeze, explosives, and paints. Most small animal shelters utilize rendering plants for carcass disposal, as do livestock producers who occasionally have carcasses unsuitable for processing.  Because horses are traditional food animals in most of the world, there is a viable export market for horse meat. In addition, by-products of equine processing such as the pancreas, heart valves, pituitary glands, synovial joint fluid and more are used in human and veterinary lifesaving medicinal products. Many horse owners either need, or wish to recoup the monetary value of their unusable horse, or a horse they can no longer support, and are comfortable with this solution; especially if they can be assured that their animals are humanely killed.

   The H.O.R.S.E. Act of 2009 is being proposed to include the following:
   •Requires that all horses to be euthanized must be humanely killed using a method that is approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
   •Allows processers of horse meat to apply for and receive fee-based inspection services from the USDA and state inspection programs. Under this regulation, which is already in use for all species of non-amenable animals such as bison and pen-raised elk, the processor pays for the necessary food safety, live animal handling, and humane euthanasia regulation at the processing point, as well as the necessary coordination between USDA, European Union, Japanese, and other Asian food safety systems.
   •Provides for the inspection and licensing of equine rescue, recovery, and retirement operations that are accepting unusable and unwanted horses, as well as horses that owners cannot support, for a fee or for no charge. Regulation will ensure horses are being cared for appropriately and that owner’s stipulations are being adhered to in terms of the disposition of the horses they have surrendered.
   •Mandates the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to adopt and enforce all recommendations of the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Committee. The bill also includes a clear mandate to measure population numbers accurately and that the optimum numbers are not exceeded.  By strictly adhering to herd numbers in Horse Management Areas, the BLM can ensure the sustainability and ecosystem integrity of the resource base for horses, burros, native wildlife, and livestock. The H.O.R.S.E. Act of 2009 promotes reasonable attempts and creative programs that can be established to encourage the adoption or sale of all horses removed from BLM lands. The H.O.R.S.E. Act of 2009 clearly establishes that no wild horse should be held in a corral, feedlot, or pasture for longer than 90 days. Finally, the bill mandates that wild horses in captivity and not transferred to private ownership within 90 days shall be sold to the highest bidder without reservation, with all of the proceeds returned to improve the management and habitat for the wild herds. .
   •Tightens the current transport regulations regarding time in transit, number of horses in a truck, segregation of horses, and rest and watering stops for horses being transported for processing; strengthens the penalties for violations; and provides additional funding for USDA enforcement.
   •Requires and provides for training and certification for employees at equine processing facilities involved in the actual humane euthanasia of horses prior to processing.
   •Requires signage at auctions and sales facilities that do not have a $1,000 minimum bid requirement that indicate that horses sold may be humanely euthanized, and the carcass processed for meat and by-products including life-saving medicinal uses.
   •Requires that sellers to processing facilities present the plant with a document stating that they consent to processing; if they have owned the horse less than sixty days (a “killer buyer”), they must present a similar document from the original seller, unless the horse was purchased at an auction with signage mentioned above. .
   •Requires inspecting horses at the plant and holding those with lip tattoos or microchips that match numbers or chips that an owner has registered with a national “do not slaughter” registry.  Such horses would be held for forty-eight hours to allow the owner to claim the horse and compensate the plant for its costs.

   The H.O.R.S.E. Act of 2009 does not impede the market, transport, processing, or use of horses in any way. It does not take away the private property rights of horse owners. It does not eliminate the right of Americans to decide how, or if, they choose to market or consume horse meat.  The Act will encourage and not defeat the efforts of states, tribes, and private citizens to implement services, facilities, and options for all horse owners. Nor does it impose egregious financial and regulatory burdens on either horse owners or taxpayers. The H.O.R.S.E. Act of 2009 does not require American taxpayers to pay for the care of excessive and unrealistic numbers of wild horses and burros on our public lands or for care of the Nation’s unwanted domestic horses.

Wild Horse and Burros Bill Introduced

On February 12, 2009, Representative Rahall (WV-D) introduced a bill to amend the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act to improve the management and long-term health of wild free-roaming horses and burros (H.R. 1018).
   In the 108th Congress a provision of the 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill lifted the prohibition on the sale of wild horses and burros for commercial purposes and authorizing the Secretary of Interior to sell excess animals at public sales “without limitation” on their use.
   This bill would restore the federal prohibition on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros. It would also bar the Secretary of Interior from euthanizing any wild free-roaming horses or burros unless an animal is terminally ill.  Representative Rahall introduced similar legislation in the last Congress.
   Additionally, this bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to maintain an inventory of wild horses and burros on public lands, to protect and manage the population in an ecologically balanced manner and to designate and maintain specific ranges on public lands as sanctuaries for their protection and preservation.  This would include identifying new, “rangelands for wild free-roaming horses and burros, including use of land acquisitions, exchanges, conservation easements, and voluntary grazing buyouts, and negotiate with private landowners to allow for the federally supervised protection of wild horses and burros on private lands.”
   This bill has been referred to the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.  Representative Rahall is Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee.

If you have any questions regarding this bill please call the AHC.
1616 H Street NW 7th Floor   .  Washington DC 20006  .  202-296-4031  .  Fax 202-296-1970
Email: AHC@horsecouncil.org  .  Web Address: www.horsecouncil.org

Slow Moving Vehicle and Lighting Changes Went into Effect Jan. 1, 2009

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker, along with members of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today reminded members of the farm community of several recent changes made by the Legislature in regards to the use of Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems and lighting.  The changes to the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law went into effect on January 1, 2009.
   “It is important for all of us to stay on top of any and all changes to the law,” Commissioner Hooker said.  “These changes are the result of a tragic accident in Otsego County involving a slow moving farm vehicle.  We hope this message informs or reminds farmers and operators of slow moving vehicles of the new laws and requirements that are in place in order to help prevent another farm equipment related tragedy from happening here in New York State.”
   Commissioner David J. Swarts of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the GTSC said, “Each year there are many needless crashes involving slow moving vehicles of all types across our state.  These new provisions of the law, as well as a heightened awareness by all motorists of the challenges of traveling with these highway users, will go a long way in increasing highway safety.”
   New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn said, “This expanded use of emblems and lighting will help draw motorists’ attention to slow moving vehicles that may be sharing the roadway.  With the passage of these three new laws, Governor David Paterson has shown the importance of balancing the needs of motorists, farm workers and all roadway users, while enhancing safety.”
    New York State Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt said, “Throughout the year, members of the New York State Police investigate numerous motor vehicle crashes that could have been prevented.  This legislation increases the visibility of slow moving vehicles and will enhance the safety of motorists across New York State.”
   The following is a summary of three new laws, as well as lighting requirements that pertain to slow moving vehicles.  For the exact language of the new laws, please refer to the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law at http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menuf.cgi.
   New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 100, paragraph (d):  The law now pertains to every agricultural tractor, self-propelled implement of husbandry, and towed, mounted or semi-mounted implement of husbandry.  “Implement of husbandry” means a vehicle designed or adapted exclusively for agricultural, horticultural or livestock raising operations or for lifting or carrying an implement of husbandry.
   New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 375, subdivision 36, paragraph (b):  Farm machinery and implements of husbandry designed to operate at 25 mph or less, traveling on a public highway during day or night, whether self-propelled or used in combination, shall each separately display a slow-moving-vehicle emblem as specified by law.  The previous law required an SMV emblem on either the tractor or the vehicle being towed, but not both.
   New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 376, subdivision 1, paragraph (a):  It is unlawful to operate, drive, or park self-propelled agricultural equipment on any public highway or street during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and during other times as visibility for a distance of 1,000 feet ahead of or behind such agricultural equipment is not clear, unless such agricultural equipment is equipped with approved lamps that are lighted and in good working condition.
   Lighting Requirements for Self-Propelled Agricultural Equipment:  When lighting is required, all self-propelled agricultural equipment shall also be equipped in accordance with New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law’s lighting requirements, which are as follows
§       Head lamps: must be two white lights on the front of the equipment, at the same level and as far apart as practicable
§       Tail lamps: must be one red light at the rear of the equipment and as far to the left as practicable
§       Combined hazard warning and turn signal lamps: must be two amber lights at least 1.1 meters (or 42 inches) high at the same level, as far apart as practicable, and visible from both the front and rear
§       Rear reflectors: must be two red lights at the rear of the equipment, at the same level, and as far to the left as practicable
   Agricultural Safety Specialist, James Carrabba, of the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, said, “NYCAMH works with farmers from every part of New York. Many of these farmers have told us that one of the most significant safety issues they face is traveling over the road with their tractors and equipment. Something that farmers can do to help make their roadway travel safer is to make sure that all agricultural machinery that travels over the road is properly lighted and marked.”
   In addition to the announcing the changes in the law, the Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Motor Vehicles and Transportation, the New York State Police, the GTSC and NYCAMH, will collectively be launching a public education campaign aimed at educating both SMV users as well as general motorists.  The program is anticipated to include published materials, website information and other components to be announced at a later date.
   In 2007, there were 59 accidents involving SMVs that resulted in 17 personal injuries in New York State.  Farm equipment usually moves 25 miles per hour (mph) or less in areas where the speed limit may be posted at 55 mph, leaving little time for approaching traffic to react.  According to the National Safety Council, roadway collisions that involve farm vehicles on U.S. roads total more than 15,000 per year.  More than two-thirds of those collisions involve the farm vehicle being hit from behind and over 90 percent occur in the daylight and on dry roads.  Usually, when a fatality occurs, the victim is the tractor operator.
   Slow Moving Vehicle emblems must always be kept clean and must be replaced when faded.  It is illegal to use SMV emblems as driveway or mailbox markers, which can confuse the meaning of the SMV emblem and lead to its loss of effectiveness as a warning device.
   For questions about the New York State Vehicle and Traffic law or the changes to the law that went into effect this year, contact your local New York State Police Troop Traffic Section.
   The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) offers a variety of farm safety and health services to the agricultural community, including roadway safety presentations to agricultural audiences.  For specific information on agricultural machinery and roadway safety, contact Jim Carrabba at 800-343-7527 x239 or jcarrabba@nycamh.com.  All NYCAMH safety services are voluntary, available at no cost, and strictly confidential.

   For additional information on SMV emblems, please refer to the State Vehicle and Traffic Regulations Title 15 Part 68 Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem (15 NYCRR 68).  For additional information on required lighting equipment, refer to the State Vehicle and Traffic Regulations Title 15 Part 43 Motor Vehicle Lighting (15 NYCRR 43.9) Section 43.9 Lighting Requirements on agricultural equipment.  These regulations can be found at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/nycrr.htm and selecting the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The mutant gene that makes horses white
Scientists have discovered the defective DNA that causes fast ageing
from The Sunday Times, Abul Taher, July 20, 2008
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4364169.ece

White horses, such as racing’s Desert Orchid or the Lone Ranger’s Silver, are actually mutants whose defective DNA carries a gene that accelerates ageing and rapidly turns their coats grey, scientist have discovered.

Such horses would probably never have survived in the wild but for one particular white horse, born thousands of years ago, which so caught the eye of ancient humans that they protected it and did their best to breed more, according to a new study.

They were so successful that the same horse became the ancestor of almost all white horses born since. It means that Silver and Desert Orchid, which won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989 and the King George IV Chase four times, were probably related.

The key finding of the researchers, at Uppsala University in Sweden, is that almost all white horses seem to carry an identical gene, implying that it originated in a single common ancestor.

White horses are unlikely to have survived in the wild. The white colouring makes them easy prey for predators, while the gene sharply raises the risk of such horses getting skin cancer. This implies that humans probably intervened to make sure they flourished.

“It is a fascinating thought that once upon a time a horse was born that turned grey and then white and the people that observed it were so fascinated that they used the horse for breeding so that the mutation could be transmitted from generation to generation,” said Leif Andersson, who led the study. The research will be published in Nature Genetics today.

Today about one horse in 10 carries the mutation, dubbed the “greying with age” gene. Such horses are brown, chestnut or black when they are born but their coats turn white within about six years.

They are distinct, however, from the rarer albino horses, which are white at birth.

Samantha Brooks, a geneticist and equine expert at Cornell University, New York, said the mutation in the “greying with age” gene meant that the pigment cells – or melanocytes – in the hair follicles in effect “dried up” early in life. The hairs keep growing but without any pigment they become white.

The absence of the pigment means the skin is less protected from sunlight and so is at greater risk of skin cancers.

“About 75% of grey horses aged over 15 years have a benign form of melanoma that may develop into a malignant melanoma,” said Andersson.

The discovery could shed light on ageing and cancer development in humans, too. White horses appear to be going through an ultrafast version of what happens in people.

Historians believe wild horses were first tamed by humans about 10,000 years ago on the steppes of central Asia. It was probably there that the first white horse was born. Since then, white horses have become associated with legend and kingship. Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek myth, is usually depicted as a grey.

King Arthur is said to have ridden a white horse, as is William the Conqueror at the battle of Hastings in 1066.

“They have this mythical image of purity and sanctity about them,” said Brooks. “They have this innocent trait about them.”

Sonya Webster, who keeps a grey mare and a stallion at End House stud farm near Clitheroe, Lancashire, said she liked them because they stood out from the crowd. There were, however, drawbacks: “They are difficult to keep clean and more likely to get sunburnt.”

Feasibility Study for Regional Horse Park
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Saratoga County has hired Markin Consulting to conduct a feasibility study for a regional horse park (the Horse Park ). The Horse Park, as envisioned by CCE and key stakeholders, would consist of three primary components:
-equine performance/competition center (the Performance Center)
-equine health center (the Health Center)
-equine education, research & communication center (the Equine Center of Excellence).

A website has been developed to provide background information about the study and periodic updates as to the progress of the study.  The website link is provided below.  As a part of this study, Markin Consulting is conducting an on-line survey of members of the equestrian community to help identify felt needs and market opportunities – especially for the Performance Center component of the Horse Park.

CCE appreciates you taking the time to complete the on-line survey for this study.  To access the survey you can click on the following link, which will take you directly to the survey.  After completing the survey, click the submit button.

On-Line Survey –
http://www.markinconsulting.com/HorseParkSurvey.htm

Horse Park Study Website
http://www.markinconsulting.com/Saratoga.htm

If you have any questions about this survey, please call Bill Schwerd or Paula Schafer at 518-885-8995

Purina has recalled several horse products

5-6-08

The following was received via forwarded email from Kim Bauer @ Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute. Email: kim@animalacupressure.com    
web: http://www.animalacupressure.com

Purina has recalled several horse products including Senior. The recall was not made available to the public!! Notices went to the dealers directly. On 4/9 they recalled 27 equine products inc. Senior and Platformline. On 4/21 they recalled another 18 products.
The problem is Aflatoxins which can cause liver dysfunction, immune suppression and neurological difficulties.
I went to the Purina site and found a SMALL alert:

Eastern U.S. Feed Product Retrieval Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC has implemented a voluntary product retrieval of certain feeds manufactured between November 3, 2007 and February 8, 2008 at our Statesville, N.C., feed plant; between January 1, 2008 and February 8, 2008 at our Harrisburg, Penn., feed plant; and between January 1, 2008 and March 10, 2008 at our Guilderland, N.Y. plant. This voluntary retrieval was initiated due to the possible presence of aflatoxin contamination above acceptable levels. To date, we have received no confirmed aflatoxin-related animal health complaints involving any of the retrieved products. Nevertheless, we have taken such precautionary action as our utmost priority continues to be our customers and the well-being of their animals. All dealers who purchased any of the retrieved products directly from Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC have been notified. These dealers are located in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. Our investigation and product testing identified one ingredient of concern, which originated from a single supplier. We have discontinued purchasing from this supplier. Other feed companies that purchased from this supplier are facing a similar situation. For more information about specific products included in the retrieval, contact the Statesville, N.C., Feed Plant at 704-924-5100 or the Harrisburg, Penn., Feed Plant at 717-737-4581.

Links on google

DO NOT FEED IF YOU HAVE ANY BAGS WITH THE ATTACHED NUMBERS.
CALL PURINA MILLS @ 800-227-8941.

Country Acres SWEET 10 Formula # 35DN   Item #0041937
Lot #'s:    8FEB01STA    8JAN30STA    8JAN29STA    8JAN28STA

8JAN25STA    8JAN19STA    8JAN15STA    IJAN14STA    8JAN05STA
7NOV29STA    7NOV17STA

Country Acres SWEET 12 Forumla #35DP   Item #0041943
Lot #'s:     8FEB08STA    8FEB01STA

Country Acres PELLET 10 Forumla #35DR   Item #0041941
Lot #: 8JAN30STA

Country Acres PELLET 12   Forumla #35DS   Item #0041940
Lot #'s:     8JAN29STA    8JAN11STA    8JAN10STA

Equine SENIOR Formula #35J9   Item #0001209
Lot #    8JAN05STA

Horse Chow 100 Formula #3531   Item #0004984
Lot #'s    7DEC12STA    7NOV03STA

Regional horse park proposal advances
Saratoga County is seeking its first bids for a regional horse park that would host equine competitions, performances, a health facility for horses and an education center     story   TimesUnion.com

Equine Industry Issues Discussed at the American Horse Council Forum

Benefits in the Economic Stimulus Act for Horse Industry

February 14, 2008

Yesterday, President Bush signed into law the Economic Stimulus Act.  The bill is intended to provide a jump-start to the lagging U.S. economy. The new law includes two tax incentives that would allow a much bigger write-off for horses used in your business and other property purchased and placed in service during 2008.

Expensing Allowance.  The first incentive would increase the Section 179 expensing allowance for horses purchased and placed into service in 2008 from $128,000 to $250,000.  This expensing allowance applies to farm equipment and most other depreciable property.  Once total purchases of horses, and other eligible depreciable property, during 2008 reach $800,000, the expense allowance goes down one dollar for each dollar spent on eligible property over $800,000.

To illustrate the expensing allowance, assume a horse business purchases $750,000 of depreciable property in 2008, including $650,000 for horses.  That business can write off $250,000 on its 2008 tax return and depreciate the balance.  If instead, purchases were $900,000, the expense allowance would go down by $100,000.  In either case, the amount of the purchases not expensed may also be eligible for bonus depreciation, as explained below.

Bonus Depreciation.  The second incentive brings back 50% first-year bonus depreciation for horses and most other depreciable property purchased and placed in service during 2008.  It does not apply to property that has a depreciation life of over 20 years.  Also, as was the case when bonus depreciation was available in 2003 and 2004, the property must be new, meaning that the original use of the horse or other property must commence with the taxpayer.  For a horse to be eligible, it cannot have been used for any purpose before it is purchased.

To illustrate bonus depreciation, assume that in 2008 a business pays $500,000 for a colt to be used for racing and $50,000 for other depreciable property, bringing total purchases to $550,000.  The young colt had never been raced or used for any other purpose before the purchase.  The business would be able to expense $250,000 (as explained above), deduct another $150,000 of bonus depreciation (50% of the $300,000 remaining balance), and take regular depreciation on the $150,000 balance.

From: George King kinggeo@westelcom.com

HORSES: $39 BILLION IMPACT ON THE U.S. ECONOMY

Excerpt from The Economic Impact of the Horse Industry in the United States (2006)
For complete information the report is available for a fee by contacting the AHCF at www.HorseCouncil.org

The horse industry is a vital contributor to the U.S. economy, “operates in every corner of the country (45 of 50 states have at least 20,000 horses) and contributes mightily to the American economy and culture,” supporting 1.4 million jobs on a full-time basis. When indirect and induced spending are included, the industry’s economic impact reaches $102 billion.Some of the key industry statistics and economic indicators reflected in the study include:

Estimated number of horses in the U.S.     9.2 million

Estimated number of horse Owners in the U.S.     2 million

Estimated number of horses by Breed
Quarter Horse, 3,288,203     Thoroughbred, 1,291,807     Other Horses, 4,642,739

Estimated number of horses by Activity
Recreation, 3,906,923     Showing, 2,718,954     Racing, 844,531     Other, 1,752,439

Estimated generated by Segment
Recreation, $32.0 billion     Showing, $28.8 billion     Racing, $26.1 billion

American Horse Council Press Release - 2007 Census of Agriculture

December 4, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC December 4, 2007 – The American Horse Council (AHC) is reminding all members of the horse owning community to participate in the 2007 Census of Agriculture being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  The USDA census, taken every five years, is a count of U.S. farms, ranches and the people who operate them. A link to the Census can be found on the front page of the AHC’s web site: www.horsecouncil.org
   The USDA reports that the 2007 Census of Agriculture will help to measure land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and many other areas.  The AHC wants to ensure that the American horse industry is properly accounted for in the upcoming Census.
If your farm received a survey for census participation in the past (the last census was taken in 2002), the USDA will mail your farm a survey that you can fill in and mail back.
   If your farm was not part of the 2002 Census, or you are not sure if you participated, you can fill out a basic USDA census registration form online by following the link from the AHC’s web site: www.horsecouncil.org.  Once this form is submitted online, a survey will be mailed to you.
Beginning in late December 2007, the Census survey will be available to all farm owners and operators to fill out online even if they have not pre-registered.
   Census forms will be mailed on December 28, 2007.  The mailing will include further instructions about how to log in and respond to the Census via a secure web connection. All Census forms must be completed by February 2, 2008. Additional information on the 2007 Census of Agriculture can be found on the USDA’s web site: www.agcesnus.usda.gov.
   For more information about the American Horse Council, please visit: www.horsecouncil.org or call 202-296-4031.

American Horse Council Study Finds Equestrian Recreation Industry Has Significant Economic Impact

April10, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC - The term “backyard horse” does not necessarily spark images of high spending and thousands of jobs. But a closer look reveals that the recreational segment of the horse industry, including the average pleasure rider on their “backyard horse,” generates quite a bit of economic impact and employment opportunities.

The American Horse Council’s Economic Impact of the Horse Industry on the United States study includes some impressive statistics that confirm the size and significant impact of the recreational horse industry.

The number of horses used primarily for recreational purposes is by far the largest segment of the horse population by more than one million. According to the Economic Impact Study, there are more than 1.4 million Quarter Horses being used specifically for recreational activities. Another 228,290 Thoroughbreds and an astounding 2.3 million horses listed under “other breeds” are involved in equestrian recreation.

The resulting effect on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the recreation industry is equally impressive at $32 million - $11.9 million in direct effects and $20 million are indirect and induced effects.

We can break this information on the recreation industry down even further by specifying the effect by horse breed. Thoroughbreds have a $1.3 million direct effect and a $3.4 million total effect (including indirect and induced effects) on the GDP. Quarter Horses have an even larger impact with a $4 million direct effect and $10.6 million total effect. The rest of the breeds – classified in the “other” category – have a $6.6 million direct effect and $18 million total effect.

While recreational events and activities may not always be as flashy as their racing and competition counterparts, recreation events require thousands of employees to keep all of the money flowing and these events running. The Economic Impact Study converts part-time and seasonal employees into a full-time equivalent basis to accurately determine the number of jobs generated by the horse industry. The recreational horse industry generates 128,324 full-time equivalent positions. Jobs associated with recreational Thoroughbreds equal 10,121, Quarter Horses 37,437 and “other” breeds 80,766.

When you add the number of jobs generated directly by the industry and add indirect and induced employment, those numbers go even higher. Indirect employment represents jobs provided as a result of spending by industry providers and induced employment represents jobs provided as a result of spending by industry employees. The recreation industry has a total effect on full-time equivalent employment of 435,082 jobs – the largest of any segment of the horse industry.

The American Horse Council’s Economic Impact of the Horse Industry on the United States study contains all of these statistics and more. The comprehensive study also analyzes the racing and showing industries, as well as breaking down all of these numbers by state for the 15 states that participated in breakout studies.

The national and each individual state study are available for purchase from the American Horse Council at www.horsecouncil.org or by phone at 202-296-4031.

Horse Council National Forum Tackles Major Industry Concern

by: Edited Press Releas
November 06 2007, Article # 1077
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10772

     More than 100 industry professionals and horse enthusiasts from every sector of the equine world gathered at Keeneland Racetrack on Nov. 2 for the American Horse Council's (AHC) National Issues Fall Forum. Included in the Forum were important updates on some of the horse world's hottest topics and primary concerns. Complete details, including several presentation downloads, are now available on the AHC's Web site.
     The fall forum topics covered included:
     Preserving Our Land and Use--Conservation Easements, by attorney Margaret M. Graves, a board member of Bluegrass Conservancy, and attorney Shannon Bishop Arvin, of Stoll Keenon Ogden, PLLC. Attendees were given an overview of how land is protected, and the various prices, fees, taxes, and concerns that are involved. Various easement and conservation programs were highlighted, with special consideration given to programs initiated by the state of Kentucky. Graves stressed that most conservation programs are geared toward, " ... staying true to the heritage of growing in a compact, contiguous way." Graves also stressed that the states and Federal government are beginning to notice the monetary impact of farm conservation,"Farmland contributes more to government coiffeurs," she said.
     Own Responsibly--Spread the Word, Latest from the Unwanted Horse Coalition (UHC) with Katy Carter of the UHC, Kristin Hix of The Jockey Club, and Sally Baker of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Katy Carter stated that no one currently knows how many horses go unwanted each year in the United States. Carter indicated that the UHC's primary goal is to educate owners to "own responsibly." In order to "spread the word about unwanted horses" the UHC has created a number of new public education tools, pamphlets and materials. Horse owners are encouraged to visit the UHC's Web site for details and downloads: www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org. New to the site is a listing of facilities that can take unwanted horses. The group has also created advertisements to promote responsible horse ownership. These publications can be repinted. The UHC presentation is available on the AHC's Web site. 
     Federal Legislation and Regulations Affecting the Industry by AHC President Jay Hickey. In his discussion of several changes to federal laws and regulations, Hickey focused on efforts that are currently being made to offer the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act of 2007, better known as AgJOBS, as an amendment to the Farm Bill or any other legislation to be considered by the Senate. AgJOBS (S.340) is a comprehensive solution to many of the horse industry's immigration problems with respect to H-2A workers at horse breeding farms and ranches. Hickey also discussed the provisions in the Senate farm bill that would make horses eligible for federal emergency assistance; the "Preserving our Equine Heritage on Public Land Act," legislation just introduced by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) that would require federal land managers to consider the historic and traditional use of horses on public lands in any exclusionary effort; and the Equine Equity Act, which includes several favorable tax changes for horses.
     Keeping the IRS at Bay--Federal Tax Laws for Horse Owners, by attorney Doug Romaine of Stoll Keenon Ogden, PLLC. Romaine focused on the differences between so-called "hobby" equine activities versus "business" activities in relation to the various ways in which the Internal Revenue Service distinguishes between the two. By focusing on a strong business model and, "carrying out your horse activities in a business-like manner" those involved in the horse industry can be better prepared should the IRS audit their activities. Romaine also suggested that horse owners and breeders keep separate books and ledgers for their horse business, perhaps even, "by horse" in order to distinguish profits (or losses) on a horse-by-horse basis.
     The Ins and Outs of Movement--Import/Export Issues for Horse Owners, by Andrea Morgan, DVM, Associate Deputy Administrator for Regional Operations, USDA. Morgan explained the import-export laws for horses in and out of the United States. She further touched upon the recent discussions regarding public versus private quarantine facilities, a major issue that has surfaced in relation to the upcoming World Equestrian Games to be held in Kentucky in 2010. Morgan stressed that, as an industry, "... we have the shared responsibility of getting horses in and out of this country in a dedicated and responsible way." Morgan's entire presentation is available on the AHC's Web site.
     The Sleeping Giant--Update on Equine Piroplasmosis, by Kent Fowler, DVM, Chief Animal Health Branch, California Department of Food and Agriculture. Currently, piroplasmosis is classified as a "foreign-animal disease." Fowler's presentation highlighted all the essential safeguards that the equine industry can take to make sure that piroplasmosis remains foreign and isolated. Fowler explained how piroplasmosis is transmitted by ticks and has been shown to have a 20% fatality rate among equines. Fowler reviewed the various red-blood cell affecting symptoms associated with the disease, which he warned, "often go undiagnosed." Fowler also remarked on the various measures the USDA and others are taking to make sure piroplasmosis does not become endemic to the United States.
     Do You Have A Match?--Immigration Issues Facing the Horse Industry, by attorney Charles R. Baesler Jr. of Stoll Keenon Ogden, PLLC. As a complement to some of the broader immigration issues discussed earlier in the day by the AHC, Baesler went into a more in-depth analysis of H-2A and H-2B alien workers, as the current rules apply to the horse industry. Baesler noted that getting such workers admitted is quite often, "complicated and time-consuming." He explained the so-called "no-match" letters in relation to the governments pursuit of workers with questionable or falsified documentation. Baesler emphasized the importance of clarity and consistency when dealing with alien workers and federal agencies.

     This is only the second time the AHC has held a major National Issues Forum outside of Washington, D.C.
     The AHC will hold its annual National Issues Forum in Washington in June of 2008. Details regarding this event will be available online in early January 2008.
     The AHC's National Issues Fall Forum was sponsored by event host Keeneland Association; The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders; Equestrian Services, LLC; Spring Mountain Vineyard's "Chateau Chevalier" wine-label, and Blood-Horse Publications.

Equine Industry Issues Discussed at the American Horse Council Forum

by: Kimberly S. Brown, Editor
November 05 2007, Article # 10762
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10762

     The American Horse Council (AHC) held a day-long Issues Forum at Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 2. This is the second such forum held outside the AHC's base in Washington, D.C.

     AHC President James J. Hickey, Jr., spoke on federal changes affecting the horse industry.
     On the topic of unwanted horses, Carter noted that no one knows how many horses are unwanted in the United States. The group's task is first to educate owners to "own responsibly." The group has created tools to this end, including a Web site, brochure, handbook, and presentations.
     New to the Web site is a listing of groups that can take unwanted horses. The group has also created advertisements to promote responsible horse ownership that publications can use as filler.
     An audience member asked if anyone knows how many rescue groups there are in the United States. Carter said no, because there is no umbrella organization for those types of groups. (One example of such an umbrella organization is the North American Riding for the Handicapped, which oversees handicapped riding programs.)
     A member from the audience stated that New Mexico has laws regulating equine welfare and rescue groups. Another member suggested putting AHC brochures and information on responsible horse ownership in with paperwork for adopted Bureau of Land Management horses.
     Hickey noted that the initial purpose of the Unwanted Horse Coalition is to make horse owners understand their responsibilities to an animal that can live 30 or more years. "The organization is limited (in what it can do) because of funding," he said. "We don't want people to have different ideas of what our group is. We don't raise money (for welfare uses) or regulate retirement facilities. Educating owners is our job now--that might expand in the future."