Ohio News

Horsepower Ohio - Senate Bill 79 has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.  This bill would establish an equine specialty license plate.  $15 from the sale of each plate would go to Horsepower Ohio for use in a to be established grant  program.  To read the bill  see S.B.79   You can show your support by contacting the Senators on the committee.  Horsepower Ohio has provided the following for your use:        Contact info      Sample E-mails     Sample Letters

In addition to the equine license plate, Horsepower Ohio could also receive funding generated from language added to Senate bill 125 (S.B.125).  This bill would authorize live horse racing permit holders to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on horse races that are telecast via an instant racing system.  A percentage of taxes levied on amounts wagered would be distributed to certain benevolent associations.  Horsepower Ohio would receive .75% of the net commission.  Bill Summary

Federal News

Senate passes Farm Bill - which includes several provisions that would benefit the horse industry.  The Senate Farm Bill includes provisions which would make horse owners involved in production agriculture eligible for additional federal disaster relief programs and provides certain tax benefits such as changing capital gains holding periods and changing the depreciable lives of race horses.  The House version of the bill, passed last year, does not contain these provisions, and the differences between the bills will need to be worked out in committee beginning in January.  President Bush has threatened to veto both versions of the Farm Bill as being too expensive ....more  (posted 1/8/08)

USDA Appropriations Bill (H.R. 3161) passes House on 8/2/07 after removal of overly broad language that would have cut-off funding for USDA activities important to the horse industry.  more...  (posted 8/6/07)

Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R.503) (S.311) -  H.R.503  was passed by the House on 9/7/06 by a vote of 263 to 146 after a four hour debate.  A similar bill in the Senate (S.311) was considered on 4/25/07 by the Senate Commerce Committee with a vote of 15 to 7 and will now be forwarded to the Senate for its consideration. The Ohio Horseman's Council has not taken an official position on this legislation but encourages each member to become informed about the issues involved and to voice their opinion to their Senators. 

Many groups feel that the passage of the bill would increase the number of unwanted horses.  Several major groups within the industry have prepared position papers on this topic and are addressing the bigger issue of how to best deal with the "unwanted horse".  The American Horse Council has taken a leadership role in The Unwanted Horse Coalition whose mission is "To reduce the number of unwanted horses and to improve their welfare through education and the efforts of organizations committed to the health, safety and responsible care of the horse". Find more information about their efforts at www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org  An Amendment to the H.R.503 was proposed by Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) which would have required the Secretary of Agriculture to certify that sufficient horse sanctuaries existed for unwanted horses before the law could take effect, but this amendment was defeated

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have all expressed concerns that these bills do not provide an appropriate solution and could be detrimental to the welfare of the nation's horses as well as the industry as a whole.  Additional info can be obtained regarding the positions of these organizations by using  the following links:   AQHA   AAEP   AVMA   (updated 4/26/07)

USDA Proposes to Tighten Regulations - (updated 1.8.08) The US Department of Agriculture has proposed to amend  regulations governing the commercial transport of equines for slaughter by broadening certain definitions.  Comments on the proposed changes must be submitted to USDA by January 7th.  More info    Copy of Comments submitted by AHC

Right to Ride Legislation - (posted 7/6/06) Congressman Radanovich's Right to Ride Bill (H.R. 586) has been passed in the House of Representatives.  This bill is intended to protect the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public lands, wilderness areas, national monuments, and other areas that are administered by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service where there is a historical tradition of such use.  This legislation would require that these federal agencies manage these lands to preserve and facilitate the traditional and continued use and access of horses to these areas.  This bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.  A companion bill in the Senate (S.781) is also being considered by this same committee.

Riders and organizations interested in supporting this bill should ask their Senators to support the bill and co-sponsor it.  The support of recreational riders is needed to get this legislation passed.  A sample letter has been drafted by the AHC which may be used to fax to your senator (faxing is faster than mail due to security within Congress) Fax numbers can be obtained from the Senates website at http://www.senate.gov/.  The American Horse Council would also like a copy of any letters that are sent  Fax 202.296.1970  Sample Letter.

National Animal Identification (NAIS) -  (posted 5/21/07) The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is  a voluntary identification system intended to minimize the negative impact of a disease outbreak on the livestock industry, including horses.  This is currently a voluntary program, however some states have mandated certain parts of the system.  Two bills have been introduced in this Congress.  H.R.2301 calls for implementation of a national livestock identification system by 2009 (this bill excludes horses from the definition of livestock)   The other bill H.R. 1018 would prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from implementing a National Animal Identification System or using federal funds to implement a system that mandates participation of livestock owners.  To  learn more about these bills  go to   AHC Memo.pdf

(posted 10/17/07) The Equine Species Working Group has released the second edition of an information booklet titled NAIS and Horses: The Facts Surrounding the National Animal Identification System and the Horse Industry in the U.S.   One of the key recommendations made by the ESWG is that no equine movements should be reported.  The group proposed that records maintained thru currently existing movement permits capture the high risk movements that pose the largest threat of spreading disease.  Animal health officials should be able to query the state databases in the event of a disease emergency to obtain the necessary records.  Click Booklet for more info or go to the ESWG website www.equinespeciesworkinggroup.com

USDA approves equine microchip - Digital Angel Corps injectable transponder has been approved for use in horses. This chip is compliant with US and International standards ...read more  (posted 9.10.07)

Immigration Reform - (updated 10/19/07) The issue of guest worker reform is important to the horse industry and the agricultural industry at large.  Breeders, ranchers, training facilities and others depend on seasonal and long-term foreign workers to fill labor demands not met by American workers.  The Senate 2008 Appropriations Bill includes language which would ease the problems caused by the enforcement of the 66,000 cap on H2-B visas by exempting "returning" workers. The House version of the bill does not contain the same language. Differences between the two bills will be ironed out in conference.  Memo from AHC.

Equine Equity Act of 2007  (S.1251)- (posted 10/22/07) Similar bill from 2005 has been reintroduced in the senate and referred to the Senate Finance committee.  This bill would end disparate treatment of horse industry versus other businesses under the federal tax code and other federal provisions, specifically as it relates to capital gains treatment and depreciation .  AHC memo

Livestock Manure Superfund Legislation - (posted 10/22/07)  Legislation has been introduced to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), commonly known as "Superfund" to provide that livestock manure is not considered a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant under the Act.  Unlike previous version's, this bill protects horses along with other livestock.  AHC memo

Federal Highway Administration Clarifies Horse Use - The Federal Highway Administration has publicly clarified that "Equestrians and other non-motorized recreational use vehicles may be allowed on shared use paths and trails that use Federal-aid transportation funds. AHC memo