Horse Council

Well the Legislative Session is in progress and there are several pieces of legislation affecting the horse industry.

HB (1147) pays compensation, up to $ 1500., to commercial producers of horses, cattle, sheep, when destroyed by cougars, bears or wolves. USDA Market Reports will be used to determine Fair Market Value. The Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife will be directed to pay compensation upon funding by the legislature.

HB (2524) is an act relating to compensation to farmers and ranchers who suffer damages to haystack, fencing, crops, personal property, etc., done by elk and deer herds.

HB (2767) SB (6609) would limit building permit fee to $ 75 on specialty agricultural buildings of commercial operations. These are buildings to house equipment, inventory, farm machinery, hay, grain, poultry or other horticultural products. Human habitation and public use buildings would be prohibited from this exemption.

SB (6315) would include Wolf Hybrids in the list of predatory animals which includes Wolves.

HB (3073) SB (6676) establishes a program for forage and mulches used in federal wilderness areas and on forest service lands. This bill will allow local weed boards to inspect and certify weed free crops when requested. This would provide Washington grown forage to be carried into wilderness areas.

These bills are all in need of the support of the entire horse industry. Please contact your local legislators and ask for their support of these important issues. We live in a changing world and we must continue to update the laws and rules we live by to keep us competitive with the world market.

  1. Numbers of Unwanted Horses Keep Climbing UHC News Release 1-29-08
  2. Over the last month, articles in prominent newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times, have reported on an apparent increase in the numbers of unwanted horses.
  3. The headline in the Wall Street Journal read: Leaner Pastures: As Horses Multiply, Neglect Cases Rise.
  4. Regional newspapers and television stations have also reported that state agencies and horse rescue groups are seeing a growing number of horses that can no longer be cared for by owners. Some of the reports suggest that rescue groups are about to be overwhelmed and may have to start turning horses away.
  5. The articles offer numerous factors for a problem that could get worse. They include over-breeding; the downturn in the economy; sharply rising costs of hay; the drought and winter storms that has affected many parts of the U. S.; the costs of euthanasia and carcass disposal; and the closing of the nations three slaughter facilities, which removed the floor on the value of horses.
  6. Whatever the causes, and they probably include all of these factors, this is not an optimistic forecast for the industry or these horses, said Dr. Lenz, Chairman of the Unwanted Horse Coalition. lets hope it doesnt get worse.
  7. It may be too soon for the industry to declare this an emergency since the media reports involve only a few states and facilities. But clearly there are enough signs for the industry and horse owners to step up their efforts to educate themselves about potential solutions.
  8. Some individuals and organizations have already stepped up with needed resources. But the costs of potentially caring for thousands of additional horses are substantial.
  9. Rescue efforts are important but individual horse owners have a responsibility to do what they can for their horses.
  10. For those who have lost everything to floods, storms or drought, it will be very difficult for them to provide care for themselves let alone their animals. Costs to care for these horses are substantial.
  11. The Unwanted Horse Coalition has prepared various materials that will help horse owners consider alternatives for their horses. The materials suggest options an individual can take now and in the future so that the number of unwanted horses does not increase. Copies can be obtained by calling 202-296-4031 or emailing: www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org
  1. Preserving Our Equine Heritage on Public Lands AHC news Winter 2007 Volume 4, No. 3
  2. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced the Preserving our Equine Heritage on Public Lands Act (S. 2283) on November 1st. This bill is similar to the Right to-Ride bill that was introduced in the last Congress by Senator Crapo.
  3. Senator Crapo has retooled the bill he introduced in the last Congress and we appreciate his steadfastness in introducing the legislation again, said Jay Hickey, AHC President. 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, stated Jay Hickey.
  4. The bill directs the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to manage 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 historical tradition of use. The bill provides that such lands will 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.
  5. This 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 be followed by agencies before any land closures to include advanced notice of any reduction in use to allow public comment, and a public meeting with various user groups near area involved.
  6. This bill recognized the importance of saddle and pack stock in the settling, exploration and recreation of our country by ensuring that the horses historic and traditional use is recognized as our public lands are managed by our federal agencies.