April 2023

Rio Grande Trail info sessions, common equine parasites, horse happenings around the state, legislative news and national updates. Join us for the next NMHC Board Meeting on April 3. Keep reading for all the details!

NMHC Motto: Uniting the equine community.

There are somethings New Mexico Horse Council can perhaps do politically, by virtue of it’s name, to help all horses and owners in the state.  While you were getting ready for Spring, board member Chris Morgan was driving to Santa Fe to carry your horse banner for 60 days. He followed all the bills. He worked with all the players. Elected officials, Cabinet Secretaries, NM Livestock Board, NM Cattle Growers Association, Animal Protection NM, Legislative Committees.  He was amazing!!!!! For years he has developed relationships with these movers and shakers and has gained their trust. There is not another horseman in the state who can juggle and keep all the balls in the air when egos and dollars and control are on the table. Thank you and your family, Chris for all the sacrifice and dedication. As an ex-state senator, it was like watching a symphony as he brought divergent opinions together.  We are so blessed to have him!!

NMHC President

Steve Komadina

Rio Grande Trail Info Sessions

The Rio Grande Trail is New Mexico’s cross-state, recreational trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding along the Rio Grande. Trail users explore, learn about, and connect with a tapestry of diverse natural habitats, rich history, striking landscapes, and vibrant communities. The trail contributes to cultural and environmental awareness, healthy lifestyles, spiritual growth, and economic prosperity for New Mexico and its visitors.

During the Rio Grande Trail implementation phase, a series of capacity building sessions are taking place focused on trail development, financing, maintenance, and trail etiquette. The goal of the series is to share information and knowledge amongst stakeholders up and down the Rio Grande.

The next two sessions are:

·     Trails+ and Other Trail Funding Opportunities – This meeting will explore how to utilize and implement different funding strategies. Guest speakers will share their experiences with varying mechanisms of funding. April 4 from 4-5 PM

·     Public Meeting – An informational session on the Rio Grande Trail project, sharing general project background. Also covering the outdoor recreation industry and its impact on the economy. April 6 from 5:30-7 PM.

Register

A Tailored Approach to Deworming

courtesy of American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)

With spring in full swing, it’s not too early to start thinking about a deworming plan for your horses.
 

If deworming is something you’ve been doing the same way for as long as you can remember, this year we encourage you to break tradition and work with your veterinarian instead. Thanks to tools like the fecal egg count, your horse doctor can help you devise a treatment tailored to the needs of your equine friend plus monitor the efficacy of the dewormer used last. And before you dismiss this notion because you’ve been “doing it for years,” you should know that the old-school approach to deworming is quickly becoming outdated—not only a waste of money but it also builds drug resistance in the parasitic fauna of equines, which means we are running out of drugs that can effectively help us control parasite infections.

For more information, the AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines can be found on our website at https://aaep.org/doc.../internal-parasite-control-guidelines

As always, consult your equine veterinarian to learn more and for questions specific to your horses!

NM True TV - San Lorenzo Canyon Horseback Riding

NMHC Lifetime Member, Dacodah Herkenhoff featured on New Mexico True! It has all the makings, and looks, of an old Western movie. But this is today, and it's north of Socorro. San Lorenzo Canyon offers unique rock formations and trails. It is the perfect combination for an adventure on horseback. Michael and the NM True TV Crew make like cowboys and get some stunning views along the way. #NewMexicoTrue

Northern New Mexico Horsemen’s Association

Got Questions for Farrier or Vet, or Both?  Get Answers at NNMHA April Meeting  

Our April program meeting is a double header!  Come hear Dr. Larry Nolen, DVM, and Farrier Robert Holt share experiences, stories and even what-not-to-do tips.  Whether working separately or together, they have decades of horse tales and practical advice for us.  The meeting is Wednesday, April 26, 7 pm, Pecos Trail Café, 2239 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe.  Come at 6 and join others for dinner.  Our monthly meetings are open to the public and reservations are not needed.  There is no charge for attending.  

Need some ideas for questions?  How about horse safety with a vet or farrier, the use of supplements, rescue horse concerns, how to prepare for a farrier or vet visit (or both), signs of lameness and correction methods, rehabilitating after an injury or general shoeing options.  So, bring your questions about these or any other relevant topics.  There will be plenty of time for questions! 

Back Country Horsemen of NM - Jemez Chapter

Corrales Horse and Mule People - C.H.A.M.P.

New Mexico Appaloosa Horse Club - Stanley, NM

Join the NMApHC for a "Ride the Pattern" ranch trail clinic on April 8, 2023 at the Stanley Cyclone Center!!! Reserve your slot now, available times start at 9am, with the last group starting at 3:30pm. $75 for the time on course with coaches PLUS show style pattern run, scoresheet and video! Please reach out to Kathryn Erickson for more information or to get your name on the list to attend!!

We had a sold out clinic and lots of fun last year, join us this year for another great ranch trail experience!

NMApHC 2023 Show Dates:

• May 6-7 with NMBHA in Stanley

• July 15-16 with NMPHC in Stanley

• September 23-24 with NMBHA in Bosque Farms

Learn More

New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp

JUNE 11-16, 2023 at the CS Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico

"Helps youth appreciate the 'why' behind ranching." Application site will be closed May 5, 2023. Completed applications will be reviewed by the NMYRMC Committee and applicants notified of acceptance by May 12, 2023. The registration fee of $300, or payment arrangement, is due on or before June 2, 2023. A total of 30 participants will be invited to this year's camp with three of those openings reserved for out-of-state youth, age 15-19.

APPLY NOW

As we wrapped up the 2023 Legislative session for the State of New Mexico, there are several key items that will affect the equine community and trails.

1)      Electric Assisted Bicycles/ Senate Bill 69:  This bill was passed by the Senate that defines the scope and locations where battery powered bicycles can operate.  Although Federal law has already defined where these devices can operate, there was not a state guideline.  SB 69 states that E-bikes cannot operate on trails already designated as non-motorized and with no additional surfacing on them.  It grants local jurisdictions such as counties and cities the ability to permit E-bikes on trails maintained and governed by them.  IMPACT: These E-bikes are a nuisance on trails that are multi-use for horses and pedestrians.  We will be working with individuals and groups that wish to limit the access of these devices on equestrian trails to preserve the integrity of the trails and access to trails.

2)      Equine Definition/ Senate Bill 271: Senator Carrie Hamblen introduced this bill with Animal Protection New Mexico that establishes a check off program where individuals can donate their New Mexico State Tax Return to the newly established Equine Shelter Rescue Fund.  It passed the Senate. This would create a fund within the state to support the recognized equestrian shelters and rescues operating in New Mexico. The bill also goes to extent to define and refine what is considered an equine rescue and shelter.  It also goes on to define how animals that are seized will be handled and kept safe from individuals who are charged with cruelty.  There is also detail on how these facilities can take ownership of seized equines.  IMPACT: Senators such as Hamblen and Senator Brenda McKenna have appropriated Junior Senator Spending to support these facilities.  This creates a fund where individuals may support rescues and shelters throughout the state through tax refunds. 

3)      Free Roaming Horses/ Senate Bill 301: Senator Brenda McKenna and Senator Matthew McQueen introduced this bill in conjunction with Animal Protection New Mexico and the New Mexico Horse Council.  This bill would have revised antiquated guidelines for dealing with free and estray roaming horses in the State of New Mexico on State and locally governed lands.  The bill remains at the House Agriculture, Acequias and Water Resources Committee.  This bill would have given county and local jurisdictions the ability to manage free roaming horses with oversight from a state level agency.  This bill was amended by Senator Pat Woods, long time sponsor of the bill, to ensure that any state or local policy would not interfere with federal management plans.  Although it made it through the Senate, the House brought to question many issues brought forward by livestock and landowners.  IMPACT: This bill was near and dear to my heart as I have worked on it for the past two years with all involved parties. At the end, special interest groups on both sides of the issue were unable to find a compromise to help these horses.  We will continue to work with all parties to come up with a workable bill to attempt again. 

Although these were the major wins that we were looking for this legislative session, there were wins.  Myself, along with Peggy Roberts of Placitas, were able to get into many offices of Senators and Representatives that had not seen or heard from the Horse Council.  We were able to start building relationships and connections that will reap rewards as we work on focusing our efforts in the future. 

As always, I stand available to discuss and listen to your thoughts and ideas on these and other issues our industry faces.

Cheers y’all, 

Chris A. Morgan, 

Legislative Liaison/ Past President, NMHC

Registration Opens for

2023 AHC Annual Conference & National Issues Forum

June 4-6 Denver, Colorado

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Equine industry leaders, stakeholders and those active in legislative and regulatory entities are invited to come together at the 2023 American Horse Council’s Annual Conference and National Issues Forum. This year’s theme is “The Measure of Tomorrow.” The forum, which is in its 54th year, will be held June 4-6 at the Le Meridien Hotel in downtown Denver, Colorado.

The tentative schedule as follows:

Sunday, June 4

10:00                 Registration Desk Opens                                            

10:00 – 12:00   United Horse Coalition Meeting                                    

1:00 – 3:00       Equine Welfare Committee Meeting                              

3:00 – 4:00       Equine Industry Exec Forum (Invite only)

4:00 – 5:00       Youth Engagement Task Force & DEI Task Force

3:00 – 5:00       Coalition of State Horse Councils               
 

Monday, June 5 – National Issue Forum

8:00                   Registration Desk Opens/ “Lite” Breakfast provided.                      

8:30 – 9:00        State of the Industry and American Horse Council                                
9:00 – 9:30        Keynote Speaker – Senator Michael Bennett

9:30 – 10:15     Valuing the Industry -Economics of the Ag & Horse Industry

                          Dr. Gregory Graff – CSU Dept of Agricultural & Resources Economics

                          Dr. Brian Wyman – SR VP Innovation Group

                          Julie Broadway – President, American Horse Council

10:30 – 11:00   Greening the Industry -Ecofriendly Practices in Equine Industry

• Scott Evans – Green is the new Blue

• Megan Fellows – Carbon Hoofprint

11:00 – 11:45   CSU Equine Program Capstone Class Presentation on Ecofriendly Practices

1:00 – 1:40       Protecting the Herd – Disease Mitigation & Biosecurity Panel Discussion

• Joe LaFollette -League of Ag & Equine Centers

• Dr. Nat White - Equine Disease Communication Center

• Dr. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey US Dept of Agriculture

1:40 – 2:00       Strengthen the Community – AHC Marketing Alliance #HereForHorses

2:00 – 2:30       Travel to CSU SPUR

2:30 – 4:30        Tour SPUR Vida Center

4:30 – 5:00       Travel back to Hotel

6:00 – 7:30        Welcome Reception – Rooftop Terrace                                         

Tuesday June 6 - Committee Meetings:

8:00                   Registration Desk Opens                                            

8:00 – 10:00      Health & Regulatory Committee                         

10:00 – 11:30    Recreation Trails & Land Use                                             

11:30 – 12:45    Awards Luncheon – tickets for purchase

1:00 – 3:00        Horse Show & Competition Committee

3:00 – 5:00       Racing Advisory                                                              

Conference Registration can be made beginning April 3:

Hotel Reservations are due by May 12

Le Meridien Hotel, 1465 California Street, Denver, Colorado
 

2023 National Economic Impact Study

for the Equine Industry Kicks Off

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The last three years have been a time of great change throughout the country for homes, businesses and industries. Rising costs of living, shrinking of assistance and changes in demographics have affected so much of our world, and that includes the equine industry.

However, not all of the changes are easy to identify. Which is why the American Horse Council (AHC) is kicking off what could be one of the biggest studies in its more than 50 years with the 2023 National Economic Impact Study.

Major economic changes have occurred during the past five years. Not only have business closures and resulting federal stimulus programs related to the pandemic made a major impact, but the horse industry has adapted to historic changes made to the tax code since 2017. 

An economic impact study examines the effect of an event or industry has on the economy and usually measures changes in business revenue, business profits, personal wages, and/or jobs. As a large, economically diverse industry, the United States horse industry contributes significantly to the American economy.

The purpose of the census is to demonstrate the value of the equine industry in the national and state economies by analyzing the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of horse ownership, recreation, and equine-related services.

Over the course of its 50-plus year history, the AHC has conducted numerous national economic impact studies for the U.S. horse industry, which has included such pivotal years as 1987, 1997, 2007 and, the most recent study, 2017. “The challenges of the last few years with the pandemic and its economic impacts on all aspects of our industry make the 2023 study all that more important and necessary,” states Dr. Rick Mitchell, Chairman of the AHC Board.

Data collected will inform public and private investments in equine-related businesses, equine health care, education, land use decisions, tax policy, tourism, employment incentives, etc.

The survey begins April 3 and goes through September 29.

Please click on the following links;

Horse Owner Survey

Horse Industry Supplier Survey

The Cost of Not Vaccinating

courtesy of Boehringer Ingelheim

Horse ownership is well known to be an expensive venture. The costs associated with feeding your horse, routine farrier visits, veterinary care and all of the necessary equipment for horse and rider can add up quickly. Depending on your goals and interests there may be additional costs such as taking lessons, trail riding park fees, horse show entry fees, maintaining a truck and trailer and fuel cost. It’s not uncommon for horse owners to look for ways to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses and make their hobby more affordable. While horse owners may consider skipping vaccinations as a way to capture short-term savings, veterinarians warn this risky practice can result in even more costs down the line.

A horse that isn’t vaccinated is at a higher risk of contracting a preventable disease such as equine influenza, West Nile Virus, eastern equine encephalitis and more. The cost to vaccinate your horse against these diseases, while it can vary from veterinarian to veterinarian, can roughly be estimated to $65-$100 twice a year, depending on what vaccines are recommended and the horse’s vaccination plan. If a horse contracts a preventable disease, treatment can range anywhere from $500 to upwards of $2,000, depending on which disease is being treated and the severity of the clinical signs.

“Vaccinating your horses and sticking to a vaccination schedule is really the best way to save money in the long run,” explains Scott Hancock, DVM, Professional Services Veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim. “When you think about how much money is spent on these horses, why cut corners on vaccinations?”

When a horse contracts a preventable disease, it may look something like this: the horse begins exhibiting clinical signs and receives an examination from a veterinarian. The examination, plus laboratory testing, may confirm what disease is causing the clinical signs. Depending on the disease, the horse may need to be quarantined away from other horses on the property or trailered to a veterinary clinic for treatment and observation.

“Typically, treatment will include palliative care with the main goal of keeping the horse comfortable as the disease runs its course,” says Dr. Hancock. “In an optimal situation, and depending on which specific disease we’re talking about, it would take the horse 10 to 21 days to recover.”

If a horse contracts a disease prior to or during a horse show, you may also lose entry fees and valuable experiences. “All of that money goes down the drain if your horse gets sick and can’t go to the horse show or arrives at the show grounds only to get exposed to one of the ‘daycare’ respiratory bugs such as influenza or herpes,” says Dr. Hancock. “Add in the heartbreak of not being able to compete, the risk of the horse possibly infecting other horses and the cost of veterinary treatment, and you’re looking at a huge loss.”

Some diseases, such as eastern equine encephalitis, have a very poor prognosis for recovery. “To see a horse that’s dying of encephalitis because they weren’t vaccinated, knowing it could have been prevented, is very difficult to accept,” says Dr. Hancock. Diseases such as West Nile may respond to treatment but may have residual neurological issues that could also have been prevented with appropriate vaccination.

Vaccinating your horse has far more benefits than there are risks, both for the health of your horse as well as your wallet. “There is no reason not to utilize the science of immunology to protect our horses, especially against diseases that are often terminal,” concludes Dr. Hancock. “Work with your local veterinarian to determine which vaccinations are appropriate for your horse and develop a strategic vaccination schedule.”

Learn more about Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA at bi-animalhealth.com.

Pawn Stars Do America Is Interested in Your Equine Memorabilia!

Calling all equine enthusiasts and collectors! ITV America's hit show Pawn Stars will soon be hitting the road and traveling the country in search of cool collectibles for another season of Pawn Stars Do America! They will be stopping in Albuquerque and Santa Fe and are currently looking for interesting items that could be great for the show, such as cool collectibles, Americana, historical items etc.

If you may be interested in potentially appearing on the show with your item(s), send an email with details and photos to chelsea.resnick@itv.com. They are casting ASAP, so they hope to hear from you soon!

The Foundation for the Horse Helping Horses in Aftermath of Tornadoes in Mississippi, other Southern States

More help needed; donations welcome to The Foundation’s disaster relief fund

The devastating tornadoes that ravaged Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia last weekend have also impacted equine lives. The Foundation for the Horse is working with caretakers on the ground to provide relief and assistance for equines needing care due to injury and other needs.

The Foundation’s disaster relief fund provides immediate care for horses affected by natural disasters. Sadly, dramatic weather events continue to wreak havoc across various regions of the U.S. and other parts of the world, which means equines are in harm’s way.

As with the recent tornadoes across the South, The Foundation works with agencies and veterinary members in the impacted areas to identify the needs of the equine community. Supplies are not being accepted as The Foundation has other methods to gather needed supplies quickly. As The Foundation receives additional information regarding needs for the region, it will work to support non-profits and those affected through provision of monetary and other resources as needed.

“The Foundation and the equine veterinary community know the tragic loss of life and incredible destruction impacting horses and their caretakers in the South,” said Foundation Development Council Chair Dr. Leslie Easterwood. “We are compelled to reach out, together with our members, horse owners and industry leaders, as part of the effort to proactively support the disaster’s equine victims.”

To make a gift to The Foundation in support of disaster relief or another area benefiting equine welfare, visit www.foundationforthehorse.org and click the “Donate” button.

About The Foundation for the Horse
Established in 1994, The Foundation for the Horse is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to improving the welfare of the horse through Education, Research, and help for Horses at Risk. It is governed and stewarded by world-renowned equine veterinarians and equine stakeholders. In 2022, and for the second consecutive year, The Foundation awarded over $1 million in scholarships and grants to impact equine health and well-being throughout the U.S. and developing countries. To learn more, visit  foundationforthehorse.org.

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