July 2023

Cool science from AAEP, body condition scoring, Meet & Greet at NM State Fair, the American Horse Council's Economic Impact Survey, horse happenings around the state, legislative news and national updates. Join us for the next NMHC Board Meeting on August 7. Keep reading for all the details!

NMHC Motto: Uniting the equine community.

COOL SCIENCE (pun intended)!
An old myth wants us to believe that horses should be walked until they cool completely after exercise, even in the summer. However, a study from 2020 looked at five different ways to cool a horse after exercise: walking, walking with fans, walking with intermittent cold water application, walking with intermittent cold water application and scraping, and stationary with continuous tap water application. As it turns out, the method that resulted in the quickest return to normal body temperature was stationary with continuous tap water application (2 minutes), while walking alone took the longest time for recovery (25 minutes).

Bottom line: enjoy your rides in the sun this summer but remain vigilant for signs of heat stress in your horse. If they look tired, it’s time for a drink, a cool bath, and a break in the shade.

 
Brought to you by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Horse Owner Education Committee

Horse Owners Minute: How To Body Condition Score Horses

This YouTube video gives a quick overview on how to determine body condition score of horses. (YouTube usually plays an ad at the beginning of videos; you may "skip ads" after the first few seconds of video)

Brought to you by The NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

endeavOR New Mexico

endeavOR New Mexico is the state's outdoor recreation (OR) business alliance. Their vision is to be a balanced and unified voice for outdoor recreation businesses and organizations (including equestrians). Their mission is to expand the OR economy, engage the OR community, and expand the OR experience. Visit their website here.

Cattle reservations for NMBHA All Breed Ranch Roundup are

due to Pat Cahall by August 7th. Visit nmbha.com for details

Red Chile Fiesta

New Mexico Paint Horse Club

CATTLE RESERVATIONS due Friday, August 11th
 

Classes for ALL levels of riders and horses!

Show is Triple Judged, August 19-20,

Wright's Rockin' Horse Arena in Stanley, NM

Ride to the Rescue

The Horseshoe Canyon Rescue Ranch (HCRR), located in Youngsville, New Mexico, is a nonprofit organization (501c3) committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of neglected, abandoned, or surrendered animals, including horses, donkeys, dogs, and cats. Animals that aren’t adoptable are given a forever home at HCRR providing care, food, shelter, and love for the animals. It is one of only a small number of rescue ranches in this part of northern New Mexico. Founded by Mike & Tina Klecker in 2018, they were inspired by their dear friend (and horse lover), Bridget McCombe. With her help, they rescued their first horse, Arrow, and their tireless work continues. HCRR is now home to 7 horses and 3 donkeys, not to mention several dogs and cats, that have been rescued from the worst fate imaginable.

There is a need and demand in rural northern New Mexico. HCRR is working to make a difference, and they already have! With a love of horses and fashion, a group of amazing women came together to create Ride to the Rescue (RTTR). This event will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Rancho Verde in Medanales, NM. It’s our first year and we couldn’t be more excited. With over 250 guests expected, RTTR will feature a fashion show with over two dozen models on horseback, live entertainment, vendors (art, jewelry, fashion & more), food and wine, a spectacular online auction and more!

Ride to the Rescue will provide the fundraising necessary for HCRR to maintain and expand its high quality level of care for these animals. Proceeds will support hay & feed, veterinary & farrier services, training and general maintenance at the ranch. The care and feeding of each horse averages about $6000 per year. HCRR also needs to raise approximately $25,000 for additional facility improvements, automatic water feeders, and fencing. Currently, Mike and Tina do all the work on their own. All of this takes a huge amount of effort, love and of course, funding. This year, our goal is to raise $50,000. Join us for Ride to the Rescue. Tickets are limited so get them before they are gone! Thank you for your support.

ridetotherescue.org

horseshoecanyonrescueranch.org

The Scores are In: American Horse Council
Congressional Scorecard for the First Half of 2023

Having support in Washington, D.C., is vital for any industry, but especially the horse industry. Wouldn’t it be easy if you had a simple way to see if your Congressional representative is one of those that supported your lifelong passion? Enter the American Horse Council’s Congressional Scorecard. “It’s imperative that horse owners and those active within the industry are familiar with their political representatives—locally and in Congress,” says Julie Broadway, president of the AHC. “We hope that by providing a tool such as the Congressional Scorecard it makes it easier for our members to know who they can look into supporting when election time rolls around.”

The American Horse Council (AHC) regularly identifies legislation that supports the U.S. equine industry. Bills are evaluated that draw consensus among the AHC’s diverse membership in issue areas such as federal resources for equine-assisted services, animal welfare issues arising under the Horse Protection Act, labor flexibility, tax reform, public trails access, USDA resources to promote equine programs and others that may emerge as the legislative process moves forward. In addition to the legislation, points are awarded to members of the U.S. Congress who support AHC through their membership in the Congressional Horse Caucus, participate at AHC events and whether they are accessible and responsive to AHC members and staff.

While reviewing the legislative record for the 118th Congress, which has reached the midpoint of its first session, the AHC analyzed pro-industry bills, which is also referred to as “priority legislation,” and identified the bills’ congressional champions. From this board list of “champions,” the AHC then assigned points based on a lawmaker’s degree of support for priority bills, among other factors. The point system then makes a smaller pool of “industry champions” emerge to inform members of the horse industry which incumbents should be recognized and acknowledged for their support.

The following are the top ranking five members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives:

SENATE 

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia)

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas)

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi)

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska-2)

Rep. Andy Barr (R-Kentucky-6)

Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-California-19)

Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pennsylvania-9)

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minnesota-2)

Those interested in viewing the Congressional Scorecard can visit the AHC website and look under “Election Center” (https://horsecouncil.org/election-center/congressional-scorecard/).

Because the AHC is bipartisan, party affiliation is not a factor in the scorecard. “The scorecard reflects those that support bills that help the equine industry, no matter what party they represent,” says Broadway.

Some of the bills from the first half of the 118th Congress include:

H.R. 1582 – Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2023 (PHIT Act of 2023)

Sponsor: Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA-16)

H.R. 3090 – Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2023 (PAST Act of 2023)

Sponsor: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1)

H.R. 1839 – Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

Sponsor: Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19)

H.R. 2927 – Racehorse Tax Parity Act

Sponsor: Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY-6)

H.R. 2296 – Racehorse Cost Recovery Act of 2023

Sponsor: Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY-6)

H.R. 1250 – Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act

Sponsor: Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS-1)

H.R. 237 – Recognizing the Importance of Stepped-Up Basis under Section 1014 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in preserving family-owned farms and small businesses

s. 1108 – Death Tax Repeal Act of 2023

Sponsor: Sen. John Thune (R-SD)

s. 786 – Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2023 (PHIT Act of 2023)

Sponsor: Sen. John Thune (R-SD)

s. 993 – Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

Sponsor: Sen. Catherine Cortez Mastro (D-NV)

s. America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023 (serves as an omnibus for related bills, additional co-sponsors will be added)

Sponsor: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)

For more information, or to see the top ten, visit the AHC website: https://horsecouncil.org/election-center/congressional-scorecard/

About the American Horse Council
As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities.

2023 National Economic Impact Study

for the Equine Industry Kicks Off

While there are several surveys conducted in the equine industry, the American Horse Council’s (AHC) National Economic Impact Study is the most comprehensive and widely used study of the industry’s contributions to GDP including employment, volunteers, equid population, acreage, etc. broken by sectors (Recreation, Racing, Competitions, and Working Horses).

An economic impact study is a critical tool to create an awareness of and an interest in the equine industry; provide positive relationships, including congressional and media relations; identifying the industry as a player in the local, state & national economy and allow the industry to advertise itself by first identifying its contributions.

There are roughly two million horse owners in the United States, and we need your help reaching as many of them as possible to get the most robust picture as we can of the industry’s contributions. To encourage participation, the AHC has partnered with several sponsors to offer 15 incentive prizes, including:

·        1st Prize – One John Deere “green” piece of equipment: Z545R ZTrak Mower valued at $7500.

·        2nd Prize – One year of Nutrena feed for 1 horse (a $2,000 value): 40 Nutrena free-bag coupons valued at up to $50 a coupon.

·        3rd – 6th Prize – One year of Purina feed for 1 horse (a $500 value per horse): 20 coupons valued at $25/each (total value $500).

·        7th Prize – One countertop fridge (holds up to 40 cans/bottles) from Cargill, valued at $350.

·        8th-9th Prizes – Enrollment in Texas A&M AgriLife Equine Reproductive Management Online Course, valued at $300/enrollment.

·        10th– 15th Prizes – $30 gift certificates from Trafalgar Square Books (total value $180).

In addition, all participants completing the survey will be eligible for 15% discount on purchases at horseandriderbooks.com (discount code is provided at the end of the survey). 

The survey begins April 3 and goes through September 29.

Please click the button to complete the survey:

American Horse Council Debuts Podcast on Horse Radio Network 

The growth of podcasts brings a world of education, storytelling and laughs to millions of people every single day. The Horse Radio Network, an entity of the Equine Network, has cornered the market in terms of offering a variety of horse-related podcasts to offer all horse enthusiasts. It is for that reason why the American Horse Council (AHC) joins an esteemed list of groups and organizations on the Horse Radio Network.

The AHC podcast on Horses in the Morning will debut on the first Tuesday of every month. The podcast can be found on the Horses in the Morning website, Google and Spotify podcasts and your favorite podcast platform. “We’re looking forward to sharing the American Horse Council’s mission and keeping more people updated on what’s going on in the industry through this new endeavor,” says Julie Broadway, president of the AHC. “We’ve got a great lineup of topics and guests that I cannot wait to share.”

“We are thrilled to have the AHC join us once a month on Horses in the Morning,” says Glenn Hebert, Director of Podcasting and America’s Horse Husband on the Horse Radio Network. “We feel it is critical to keep up with the legislations and regulations that affect all horse people across the country, as well as highlighting many of the interesting members of the AHC.”

The first episode of the American Horse Council podcast on Horses in the Morning goes Western as Broadway and marketing and communications specialist Megan Arszman talks about dude ranches with Russell True, author and owner of White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona.

“Tucson used to be known as the Dude Ranch Capitol of the World,” says True. At one time, the city was home to 127 dude ranches, however, due to the city’s growth, that number was dwindled down to two. Most dude ranches are not corporate owned, so they are handed down through the family.

Did you know the first dude ranch opened in 1802? The Eaton Dude Ranch in Sheridan, Wyoming, was the West’s first vacation destination. Learn about the history of dude ranches and how they work to keep the history of the old American West alive, how to choose the best dude ranch for your family vacation and what you can expect on a typical stay while listening to White Stallion Ranch owner Russell True.

Each show will include updates on what’s going on with legislation in individual states, as well as on the national front in Washington, D.C.

Download the first episode of the AHC on Horses in the Morning: https://www.horsesinthemorning.com/american-horse-council-welcome-to-the-dude-ranch-for-may-2-2023/

Cheryl White, First Female Black Jockey,

Immortalized in Breyer® Gift Set

Cheryl White broke barriers. Not just in the starting gates in the racing industry, but as a groundbreaking leader as the first Black woman to hold a jockey’s license to race in the United States. It was not easy, but Cheryl would not take no for an answer, and made history at only 17 years old!

On September 2, 1971, Cheryl rode Jetolara, a Thoroughbred trained by her father, Raymond A. White, to score a momentous victory at the racetrack Waterford Park in West Virginia. A dedicated rider and top student, Cheryl also appeared on the television show “It’s Academic,” a student quiz show, and considered becoming a math teacher if being a jockey didn’t work out. However, with persistence and effort she defied the odds to make it as a jockey: Cheryl went on to gather more than 750 wins, was inducted into the Appaloosa Horse Racing hall of fame and even when she retired from the saddle went on to pass the test to receive a racing steward’s license.

Cheryl is celebrated in the new middle grade readers book inspired by her story: “The Jockey & Her Horse,” written by Cheryl’s brother, Raymond Jr., and New York Times reporter and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Maslin Nir. Book 2 in the “Once Upon a Horse” series,  published by Cameron Kids, an imprint of Abrams, this wonderful book is included  in Breyer’s gift set featuring a fully articulated figure of Cheryl along with her winning mount, Jetolara – perfect for encouraging action-filled play adventures that go along with the book. “We are honored to join with Breyer in immortalizing my sister Cheryl and her pioneering achievement for children around the world and future generations,”  her brother Raymond White Jr. said.

“Breyer brings so many inspirational horse world stories to life, in ways that kids and adults can relate to,” said Breyer’s Vice President of Marketing, Stephanie Macejko. “We are honored to bring Cheryl’s history to the world and help inspire young people to walk in her footsteps.”

New Gift Set Will Be Available at Your Local Retailer in Time for the Holidays!

Follow New Mexico Horse Council on Facebook

Official NMHC Facebook Page - follow the page for official announcements from New Mexico Horse Council

NMHC Facebook Group - join the group to share your equine events, clinics, and meetings. No sales posts please!