HERD ABOUT IT?  Horse News

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

Vote the 1st Equestrian into the Olympic Hall of Fame!
J. Michael Plumb has been nominated to the Olympic Hall of Fame. He is one of 18 athletes from across all Olympic disciplines to be nominated for induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. He is the ONLY equestrian to be nominated, and if inducted will be the only equestrian inducted in the entire history of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.Six athletes will be inducted in June of 2008 in Chicago, IL. Voting is open now, please be sure to cast your vote for Mike today. Click this link and vote.

Equine Industry Issues Discussed at the American Horse Council Forum

5-6-08 Purina has recalled several horse products

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
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Country Acres PELLET 10 Forumla #35DR   Item #0041941
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Lot #'s:     8JAN29STA    8JAN11STA    8JAN10STA

Equine SENIOR Formula #35J9   Item #0001209
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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

MEMORANDUM
To:       AHC Organizations
From:   American Horse Council
Re:       Benefits in the Economic Stimulus Act for Horse Industry
Date:    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                 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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.

HIPPA Legislation for Recreational Riders Introduced in Congress
March 7, 2007

Legislation
Representatives Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Michael C. Burgess (R-TX) recently introduced "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act" (H.R. 1076).  This bill would bar employers from discriminating against those who take part in legal recreational activities such as horseback riding, motorcycling, ATV riding and snowmobiling in the health-insurance programs they offer their workers.  Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) introduced identical legislation (S. 616) in the Senate.

Specifically, the bill provides that:
a group health plan, or a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not deny benefits otherwise provided under the plan or coverage for the treatment of an injury solely because such injury was sustained while engaged in any particular mode of transportation specified in the plan consisting of the use of a motorcycle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or other similar recreational vehicle or horseback riding.
The Senate passed identical legislation in the 108th Congress.

AHC Position
The American Horse Council supports this legislation and will work with a coalition of other recreational groups for its passage.

Email: AHC@horsecouncil.org  .  Web Address: http://www.horsecouncil.org

Bill to Preserve Equestrian Access to Public Land Introduced in Senate
by: Edited Press Release
November 07 2007, Article # 10774
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10774

     Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced Nov. 1 the Preserving our Equine Heritage on Public Lands Act (S. 2238). This bill is similar to the so-called "Right-to-Ride" bill that Crapo introduced in the last Congress.
     "Senator Crapo has been a champion of preserving riders' access to public lands," said American Horse Council (AHC) President Jay Hickey. "He has retooled the bill he introduced in the last Congress and we appreciate his steadfastness in introducing the legislation again. Equestrians are going to have to let Congress know that they are concerned about access to trails and public lands and that they support this bill if we hope to get it passed."
     The bill directs the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to manage the federal lands under their jurisdiction "in a manner that preserves and facilitates the continued use and access of pack and saddle stock animals" on lands on which "there is a historical tradition" of use. The bill provides that such lands "shall remain open and accessible to the use of pack and saddle stock animals" where there is such a tradition. The bill applies to the management of the National Park System, BLM lands, National Wildlife Refuge System land, and National Forest System land.
     The bill does not limit the federal agencies' ultimate authority to restrict such use, provided the agencies perform the review required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The bill would also impose additional specific and designated procedures to be followed by agencies before any land closures. These procedures include advance notice of any proposed reduction in use to allow public comment, convening a public meeting near the area involved, and collaboration with various users during the process.
     Those who enjoy riding on public lands have expressed concern about the reduction of trails and public lands available to horses and pack stock.

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."

Update on Legislation Important to Horse Owners
by: Kimberly S. Brown, Editor
November 11 2007, Article # 10788
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10788&nID=13

     During the Nov. 2 American Horse Council (AHC) Issues Forum held in Lexington, Ky., AHC President Jay Hickey reviewed legislation and regulations pending at the federal level that could affect the horse industry.

Riding on Public Lands
     Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced  Preserving our Equine Heritage on Public Lands Act (S. 2238) on Nov. 1. Senator Crapo introduced similar legislation in the last Congress. That legislation was known as the Right to Ride bill.
     The new bill "recognizes the importance of saddle and pack stock in the settling, exploration, and recreation of our country by ensuring that the horse's historic and traditional use is recognized as our public lands are managed by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Forest Service," noted a press release from AHC.
     Hickey said the bill requires the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to manage the federal lands under their jurisdiction "in a manner that preserves and facilitates the continued use and access of pack and saddle stock animals" on lands on which "there is a historical tradition" of use. The bill applies to the management of the National Park System, BLM lands, National Wildlife Refuge System land, and National Forest System land.
     The AHC statement noted that the bill provides that such lands "shall remain open and accessible to the use of pack and saddle stock animals" where there is a tradition of use, but does not limit the federal agencies' ultimate authority to restrict such use, provided the agencies perform the review required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Hickey said the bill would impose specific procedures that agencies must follow before any land is closed to use by horses. These procedures include advance notice of any proposed reduction in use in order to allow public comment, convening a public meeting near the area involved, and collaboration with various users during the process.
     The bill directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to issue a policy within 180 days of enactment that defines the meaning of "historical tradition of the use of pack and saddle stock animals" on federal lands.
     The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
     Hickey said the AHC supports this legislation and asks all recreational riders to contact their Senators and encourage them to act on it.

Equine Center

KIMBERLY S. BROWN
     AHC President James J. Hickey, Jr., spoke on federal changes affecting the horse industry.

Equine Equity Act
     This bill addresses depreciation on horses under federal tax law. According to the AHC, horses "must be held longer than other business assets to be subject to capital gains. Racehorse owners are required to make a decision regarding when to begin depreciating their racehorses that is not based on the expected racing life of the animals."
     This bill was re-introduced on May 1 by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jim Bunning (R-KY), and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) as S.1251. This type of legislation has been introduced before.
     According to the AHC, this bill will end the "disparate treatment" of horse industry investments versus other businesses under the federal tax code. Specifically the legislation would 1) make horses eligible for capital gains treatment after 12 months, similar to other business assets; and 2) place all racehorses in the three-year category for depreciation purposes.

Private Quarantine
     The operation of permanent private quarantine facilities under strict USDA regulation was proposed four years ago, Hickey said. There are only three import facilities in the United States, which all foreign animals, including horses, have to go through for import. The AHC and other groups have been calling for USDA to republish the rule proposal in order to allow the establishment and operation of permanent, privately owned quarantine facilities for horses entering the country permanently.
     These facilities would have to be approved by the USDA's Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) and would maintain the same level of biological security standards as current permanent facilities operated by APHIS. Although the facility would be privately owned, at least one APHIS representative would be at the facility to oversee the care of horses during normal working hours.
     This will be particularly important when hundreds of horses will be coming from around the world for the 2010 World Equestrian Games.

What is a 'Trail Trial'?

Trail Trials, in existance for over 20 years, consists of a trail ride, of approximately 5 miles, with 8-12 judged obstacles that may be encountered along the trail. Horse and rider are measured against a set standard as they negotiate each obstacle, and juged on a scale of 1-10, with generally a way to bypass the obsticlooe if a horse isn't ready for that particular challenge.

There are no time requirements and the participant is only judged while negotiating obstacles. The rider carries his own score card, handing it to each judge, soo you always know how youre doing. The pace of the trail ride is the choice of the rider.

It is a great schoolng expeerience for young horses, a nice way to test the suitability of a former show horse, and a chance for novice riders to gain confidence and experience.