American Horse Council September 2020

AHC Vets Congressional Incumbents on Consensus Issues, Spotlights Ten Champions

As the 2020 election approaches, the American Horse Council (AHC) has analyzed 24 pro-industry bills that have moved during the 116th Congress.  After reviewing leaders of priority legislation, AHC identified a sample of ten congressional champions, listed below, who are actively advocating on behalf of the industry.  Examples of issue areas where the “top ten” have built a track record of leadership include consensus issues such as animal welfare, Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT), guest worker visa flexibility, tax, public trails access, and electronic logging device (ELD) flexibility. Although the “top ten” provide insights into the geographic and political diversity of pro-industry lawmakers, AHC does not intend the list to be a comprehensive “roll call” of lawmakers who have helped the industry.  That said, the “top ten” provide perspectives on candidates that industry Political Action Committees (PAC) and individual horsemen and women should consider while reviewing campaign contributions during the current election cycle.  

While using sponsorship of key bills as a metric has proven helpful to identify a preliminary pool of champions this fall, AHC plans to explore expansion of the methodology to develop a more formal “scoring” system to provide a broader perspective on which lawmakers have built a track record of promoting the industry.  Other metrics may include, but not be limited to, an incumbent’s voting record on priority legislation, active service on the Congressional Horse Caucus, and a demonstrated willingness to participate in horse industry events.  Because a new congress will convene in January, the industry will have the opportunity to evaluate lawmakers as the session moves forward. 

Although AHC has emphasized legislative sponsorship as its primary metric for the top ten, other factors also had an impact.  These include membership on key committees, such as appropriations and agriculture, and leadership roles within the Congressional Horse Caucus. Below is a list of ten congressional incumbents that industry should consider supporting:

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) - Among his many contributions to the horse industry, Congressman Barr has become the face of federal EAAT programs.   His equine portfolio is diverse, ranging from service as Congressional Horse Caucus co-chair, to taking the lead on tax legislation that grows the industry's contributions to the U.S. economy.  Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) – This New England centrist is not only a “deciding vote” for big ticket legislation such as tax, but she is also a reliable champion on a variety of horse industry priorities.  These include H2B guest worker flexibility, ELD flexibility and trails legislation.  Sen. Collins also maintains a long-standing “open door” policy with “Down East” horse enthusiasts, recognizing that many of the issues benefitting the outdoor industry also benefit the equine sector.  Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) - As a western lawmaker who champions most of the horse industry's "outdoors" and trail priorities, Sen. Daines' support for the industry extends to ELD flexibility and the PAST Act.   The senator's well-rounded portfolio of support for legislation favored by the equine sector makes him a natural partner.  Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) – Mr. Gardner was the chief sponsor of the landmark “Great American Outdoors Act.” To his credit, this Colorado senator lobbied Leader McConnell to secure scarce floor time for a historic trails and conservation bill during a time when pandemic-relief legislation monopolized lawmakers’ time. Mr. Gardner faces a tough election this fall and deserves support.  Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) - As chairman of the House Natural Resources (HNR) Committee, this western lawmaker serves as a gatekeeper for most of the industry’s trails and recreation priorities.  Chairman Grijalva also has a track record of promoting outdoor activities, including sponsorship of Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) legislation and support for the “Great American Outdoors Act.”Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) - As Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and Congressional Horse Caucus member, Mr. Peterson has proven to be a reliable ally on key farm bill issues.  The horse industry hopes to continue a productive relationship with Chairman Peterson, who faces a tough re-election in November.  Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) - A longtime member of the Congressional Horse Caucus, Mr. Ruppersberger serves on the appropriations committee and consistently takes the lead on H-2B guest worker visa flexibility.  Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) - The 2019 winner of the Rolapp Award underscores GT's strong track record of support for the horse industry.  His portfolio of recent causes taken up on behalf of the sector includes robust funding of livestock programs and favorable statutory definitions in the farm bill.  The horse industry can always count on this effective advocate on the House Agriculture Committee.  Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) - As a long-time co-chair of the Congressional Horse Caucus, Mr. Tonko keeps an open-door policy to members of the horse sector.  The congressman's regular participation in equine events makes him recognizable to large segments of the industry.  Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) – This Virginia lawmaker and ex-governor has not only led efforts for the PAST Act in the Senate, but he has also supported important trails initiatives and veterans’ legislation that promotes EAAT.  To illustrate the survey nature of the top ten, it’s worth noting that Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), who is the 2020 recipient of the Rolapp Award, does not appear on the above list.  However, Mr. Schrader’s championship of the PAST Act, and overall accessibility to various segments of the horse industry deserves acknowledgment.
 Submitted by: Bryan Brendle, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs bbrendle@horsecouncil.org

Reuniting With Your Horses after a Natural Disaster

The west coast is experiencing a disastrous wildfire situation that is impacting tens of thousands of horse owners. In the Southeast, hurricane season started early in 2020, with multiple large scale storms hitting the Gulf coast. Thousands of animals and owners have had to evacuate, and many have nothing to return to. Unfortunately, not every animal that needed to be moved was, and those animals that survive end up being rescued and consolidated, often in different, far off communities. This reality creates logistical issues and occasionally those issues separate animals from their owners forever.

The best way for horse owners to ensure a horse’s identity is discoverable is to microchip your horse and register that microchip number with one of the companies or organizations participating with the American Horse Council’s www.horselookup.org . Currently efforts are being made to help facilitate animal owners, one example is the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) created online database and website, details can be found here. Of note, several companies offer registration options for animals that can also provide safety net options. More information at  https://www.horselookup.org/faqs.

Please contact Cliff Williamson at cwilliamson@horsecouncil.org for more information.
 

Exciting New Equine Industry Career Book Published

The Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky has published a new book about careers in the equine industry by author Kathy Sheppard-Jones titled  

“You Can Do So Many Things!”:

“The book is a delightful introduction to the world of horses, and possibilities for young children as they consider future work opportunities. You Can Do So Many Things! celebrates the horse industry and the endless possibilities for employment. It is written for young readers, to encourage children to think broadly about possible work in the equine industry – and starting at very young ages! Read the book online or download it for free”. 

Find the book here: https://hdi.uky.edu/ecbook

COVID-19 Resources
https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/covid-19-resources

United Horse Coalition attends The Right Horse Summit

The United Horse Coalition (along with Equine Welfare Data Collective, Time To Ride Program, and American Horse Council) have been busy attending The Right Horse Summit this week!  We are enjoying hearing some of the innovative ideas coming out of the breakout sessions, and have even come up with some of our own. 

One of the reoccurring themes we keep hearing is the need for better collaboration within our industry so that we can stop “reinventing the wheel” and we couldn’t agree more.  We have some wonderful collaborative concepts planned ahead of us, and are looking forward to some next steps within our own respective organizations to further help educate future and current horse owners on Responsible Ownership, and helping foster and grow a new generation of horse lovers to welcome into our industry! 

To learn more about the United Horse Coalition and become a member, check us out at:  https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/

To learn more about our partner The Right Horse Initiative, and to consider becoming a partner yourself check out the link here:  www.therighthorse.org/becomeapartner

Member Spotlight
 

In the wake of such unprecedented times between the COVID-19 shutdowns, hurricanes, and 28 wildfires in California, there sits a beautiful horse boarding facility nestled near California’s wine country, Highland Springs Equestrian Center and home of the California Dressage Society, Lake County Chapter.  Highland Springs Equestrian Center sits 2.5 hours north San Francisco and west of Sacramento in Kelseyville, Lake County, California.  They have 80 acres, with beautiful groomed trails, 2 arenas, 11 stalls, and 9 with private paddocks.  Paul Marchand, owner, believes in natural horse boarding, allowing the horses to be in their natural habitat as much as possible.  He understands not every horse can be turned out together but tries to get the horses out as much as possible.  If the trails on the property are not enough, you can ride out their gate about a quarter of a mile from their entrance is the Adobe Creek Reserve and the Highland Springs Recreation Area with approximately 30 more miles of riding trails.  

Highland Springs Equestrian Center has experienced two of the 28 wildfires in California.  They experienced the LNU Lightning Complex Fire that started on August 17th, still burning but is 97% contained and the Oak Fire which started on September 7th and was extinguished on September 14th .  During that time, the Highland Springs Equestrian Center took in 12 horses that were evacuated including 5 horses from the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation.  Most of the horses have been returned safely but the horses from the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation will be staying a little longer due to the fire.

Getting back to more normalcy, they are starting to have clinics again, welcoming Alexandra Clerc Fitts on Saturday, September 26, 2020.  Dr. Marchand and his wife, Juliana Vidich love horses, love helping people, and love what they are doing through the Highland Springs Equestrian Center.  
For more information on the Highland Springs Equestrian Center you can visit their web page https://highlandspringsequestrian.weebly.com/ or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Highland-Springs-Equestrian-Center-100106323442789 

Submitted by: Lynda K. Majerowicz, DM, Membership Coordinator, lmajerowicz@horsecouncil.org

For More information please check out the American Horse Council’s website : https://www.horsecouncil.org/