“Where Have All the Horses Gone?”

By: American Horse Council

The American Horse Council has announced that its theme for this year’s National Issues Forum is “Where Have All the Horses Gone?” Every major equine breed registry has seen a dramatic drop in the number of horses registered with them over the last five years. Is this a function of the economy or a fundamental, permanent change in the industry? What are the numbers? Is it an absence of owners, rather than horses? What will it mean for the industry, short and long-term? Are some breeds and activities affected more than others? What can, or should, be done about it?

The AHC’s National Issues Forum will focus on answers to these and other questions surrounding this important and perhaps critical issue. This year’s National Issues Forum will be held on Tuesday, June 24, in Washington, DC during the AHC’s annual convention. The annual meeting will run from June 22 to 25 at the Washington Court Hotel.

The AHC’s convention will also include the AHC’s Congressional Reception, the Congressional Ride-In, meetings of all AHC committees and the Unwanted Horse Coalition, and the AHC’s Breed Roundtable. As always, the AHC’s annual meeting brings together the horse industry’s leaders, stakeholders, service providers and rank-and-file to discuss common issues of importance.

The AHC Breed Roundtable will be held on Monday, June 23. This event has proven to be very popular and is the only meeting that brings leaders of various horse organizations and disciplines together.

AHC’s Congressional Reception will be Tuesday night, June 24, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. This is an opportunity for the horse community to visit informally with Members of Congress to renew old friendships, make new ones, and discuss industry concerns.

The annual Congressional Ride-In will take place all day Wednesday, June 25. The Ride-In allows members of the horse community to meet with their elected representatives and federal officials to discuss important issues affecting them. All members of the horse community are encouraged to participate, even if they don’t attend the AHC convention.

The Ride-In puts a face on the $102 billion horse industry and the millions of Americans who are part of it. Congress deals with various issues that impact the horse industry, including taxes, gaming, immigration, welfare issues, access to trails and public lands, diseases, and interstate and international movement of horses. This is an opportunity for the horse community to come to Washington in force and meet with their Senators, Representatives, and staffs. The Ride-In literally illustrates the goal of the AHC to “Put More Horsepower in Congress.”

More information on these Forums and the entire AHC annual meeting, including registration and hotel information, can be found on the AHC’s website, http://horsecouncil.org/events.php or by contacting the AHC.