NEW MEXICO HORSE COUNCIL

NEWS

February 2024

Learn about the NMHC Foundation Scholarship, the American Horse Council's Economic Impact Study results, free webinars and other national updates. The 2024 show schedule is filling up, save the dates and invite your friends to join you! Join us for the NMHC Board Meeting on March 11, 2024. Keep reading for all the details!

NMHC Motto: Uniting the equine community.

News From New Mexico Horse Council

 

SAVE THE DATE

New Mexico Horse Council
Board Meeting

March 11, 2024 at 7 pm

Via Zoom

RSVP to receive the Zoom link

New Mexico Horse Council Foundation Scholarship 

$500 awarded to a graduating New Mexico high school senior 

 

Download form, complete, and mail back with all required attachments no later than April 1.

 

The NM Horse Council Foundation Scholarship is awarded to a graduating NM high school senior upon acceptance and enrollment in a post-secondary educational program. Scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the educational institution upon proof of enrollment.

 

The basis for selection includes: demonstration of academic excellence, demonstrated personal character and initiative, contribution to the horse community, demonstrated commitment to horses and others, demonstrated leadership and/or involvement with horses that benefited others more than self, and writing skills. A sample evaluation rubric is available from the NMHC Foundation.

 

ELIGIBILITY: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors in New Mexico.

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Two Letters of Recommendation (letter from relative is unsuitable):

    a. One from a teacher or school official

    b. One from an adult horseperson from the NM horse community

2. Certified copy of academic transcript

3. Statement identifying your academic achievements

4. Statement identifying your community activities and examples of leadership

5. One Essay – Discuss how your involvement with the horse community has benefited you and influenced your educational and life goals. (200 – 300 words).

 

Scholarship winner will be required to provide student identification number and proof of enrollment in post-secondary educational institution prior to distribution of award to the institution.

 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: April 1

Not One More Vet

You get home from a long day of work and pull on your boots for chores. It’s 6:30, and after a stop at the grocery store you’re running late to feed horses their evening grain. You get out to the barn expecting to see 3 eager faces waiting at the gate… but there’s only 2. Your favorite gelding is nowhere to be found. You quickly search the paddock and find him laying down quietly, with a droopy expression and a bit of discharge from his nose. Shoot. Does this qualify as an emergency? You grab your phone and find your vet on Facebook, sending them a message to get their opinion so you don’t waste money on an emergency call.

 

Across town, a different story is playing out. A tired veterinarian is getting home from what should have been an 8-hour shift, but a dog didn’t come out of anesthesia as expected and they stuck around to tend to her. By the time they finished their medical notes and felt confident leaving her for the night it was 6:30. They set their phone on the counter while they put away their groceries, making a mental note to follow up on the 2 notifications they heard on their way home. A familiar ping sounds again, so they pick up their phone to check. The first message is a client asking if grain-free dog food is really all it’s hyped up to be. The second is a message asking to cancel their 8am appointment tomorrow morning, which is an odd request since the receptionist usually handles that. The third request is a message from a client asking if a lethargic, down horse is an emergency and if so, could they make it out tonight? Enter hour 13 of being a veterinarian, and that familiar guilt over the call of duty to a sick animal. With a sigh, they abandon their hopes of dinner and start typing a reply.

 

1 out of 6 veterinarians has attempted suicide.

 

The suicide rate of veterinarians is 4x that of the general population.

 

Why, do you wonder? Veterinarians are called to their role due to their passion for animals, and then that passion is leveraged against them when they’re asked to be a veterinarian every hour of every day. It’s time we as animal owners and farmers treat our veterinarians with the professional respect and boundaries they deserve.

We can do so by:

 

1. Routing nonemergency contact through professional channels, that is, contacting the clinic directly during business hours.

 

2. Routing emergency contact through your veterinarian’s preferred channel, typically a call to the clinic that will be routed to the on-call vet or answered through an answering service.

 

3. Compensating vets appropriately for their time. Did your vet give you a 15 minute consult? Their time is worth about $200 per hour, give or take, so that 15 minute consult should be worth about $50. If they don’t charge you for their time consider yourself fortunate—and consider dropping off coffee or cookies at the clinic.

 

4. Treat your veterinarian as a human first and vet second. Run into them at a sporting event? Don’t pepper them with questions about your pet. Ask them how their kids are doing in school, or if they have any vacations planned. Stop asking our veterinarians to be veterinarians every hour of their lives.

 

Rural America is facing a veterinarian shortage—many of us already feel it, and the thought of operating a farm or owning pets without a vet is terrifying.

 

Be part of the solution by helping to foster an environment that allows our vets to love their job—and protect them from falling into the trap that their compassion for animals lays for them.

 

Written by Taliah Danzinger,

published on Facebook, August 10, 2023

 

Learn how you can support the "Not One More Vet" mission at nomv.org/

Our mission is to transform the status of mental wellness in the profession so veterinary professionals can survive and thrive through education, resources, and support.

Join NMHC

EQUINE EDUCATION

As the weather warms up (soon), it's a great time for an annual fire safety inspection and training. Check out this infographic from ExtensionHorses for friendly reminders...

Horse's Best Chance During Disasters

Want more information in preparing for disasters for your equine partner? Check out this free course.

 

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the difference between an emergency and a disaster.

  • Examine the different reactions horses can have during stressful situations.

  • Determine what proper paperwork is needed to be prepared for a disaster.

  • Explain the proper safety checks and supplies that should be prepared in case of a disaster.

 

This course is offered through eXtension’s Campus. You will need to create an account and register with Campus to view and participate in this and other equine courses offered by eXtension.

 

Sign up for this course

Webinar: Horse Business Taxes 2024 - What You Need to Know

 

Horse Professionals, come find out about recent changes in Tax Laws that will affect you when you file your 2023 and 2024 taxes. Learn from a successful entrepreneur, CPA, MBA who is also one of the nation's top Equine Tax Experts!  

 

Topic: Horse Business Taxes 2024 - What You Need to Know 
 

Date:  March 11, 2024
 

Time: 11:00 am Pacific, 1:00 pm Central, 2:00 pm Eastern
 

Speaker: Len Green, CPA, MBA
 

Summary: Horse Professionals, come find out about recent changes in Tax Laws that will affect you when you file your 2023 and 2024 taxes. Learn from a successful entrepreneur, CPA, MBA who is also one of the nation's top Equine Tax Experts!  

 

Here is a unique opportunity to learn how you can maximize your tax deductions and make your business more profitable. Bring your questions and concerns. Get answers! 


Learn More & Register

HORSIN' AROUND NEW MEXICO

NM Buckskin Horse Association 2024 Show Schedule

March 3, 2024

All Breed Training show, w/ cattle

Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena

 

May 4 - 5, 2024

All Breed, Buckskin, Appaloosa Pointed show, with cattle, 2 judges.

Rocking W arena, (Wright's arena), Stanley, NM

 

June 9, 2024

All Breed Ranch Show, with cattle

Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena

 

August 11, 2024

All Breed Ranch Show, with cattle

Bosque Farms Rodeo Arena.

 

Sept. Date TBD. State Fair! Tentatively: Appy and Buckskins together one day, a ranch clinic one day, and Appy, Buckskin and AQHA cattle on a third day. This could change, but plan on coming!

 

Visit nmbha.com to learn more

Southwestern Quarter Horse Association

Visit swqha.com/ for more details on each of the 2024 shows listed below

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Westwide Solar Plan (Bureau of Land Management)

  • On January 19, BLM released their draft programmatic EIS and associated RMP amendments to revise and expand upon the 2012 Western Solar Plan.

  • Click here to access the text of the documents and the comment portal.

Concerns:

  • Priority siting of solar/wind on prime grazing ground, as opposed to already-degraded landscapes.

  • The cover threshold for annual invasive grasses.

 

Here are some links with additional information:

  • BLM analysis aims to optimize solar energy development throughout the West | Bureau of Land Management

  • 2023/2024 Solar Programmatic EIS Information Center (anl.gov)

 

Attend the upcoming meetings to learn more

 

VIRTUAL MEETING, March 6, 2024 registration required at this link

PETA targets Kansas merry-go-round maker over animal-themed carousels Fox News Animal rights organization, PETA, urged the largest amusement ride manufacturer in Kansas to end the production and sale of animal-themed carousels.

Read the full article

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Results from the 2023 National Equine Economic Impact Study

The findings of the highly-anticipated 2023 Equine Economic Impact Survey have been officially released by the American Horse Council (AHC). The results shed a light on the significant and robust contributions of the equine industry to the U.S. economy. The survey offers a comprehensive overview of the economic impact and trends within the equine sector and highlights how it reaches far beyond the pastures and ranch land across the country.

 

Key highlights of the survey include:

Diverse Economic Sectors Impacted: $177 billion. That’s the total value added in 2023 from the equine industry, up from $122 billion in 2017. The equine industry’s ripple effect extends beyond the traditional sectors, influencing a broad spectrum of industries. From agriculture and tourism to veterinary services and technology, the survey showcase the interconnectedness of the equine world with other economic realms

 

Employment Boost: The survey reveals a substantial impact on employment with 2.2 million jobs linked both directly and indirectly to the equine sector. Not only are breeders, trainers, veterinarians and farriers represented, but so are truck drivers, nutritionists, chemists, police officers and journalists.

 

Slight Downshift in Population: While there is a slight downshift in the total population of horses from 2023 (6.6 million) compared to 2017 (7.2 million), that’s only a slight consideration when compared to the growing numbers in jobs and expenditures.

 

The purpose of the survey 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.

 

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 AHC expresses gratitude to all participants, stakeholders and partners who contributed to the success of the 2023 Equine Economic Impact Survey. The results not only underscore the industry’s economic significance, but also serve as a foundation for informed decision-making and strategic planning within the equine community.

 

“The Economic Impact Study is the most effective tool in our advocacy quiver,” says Julie Broadway, president of the AHC. “When the industry needs to take aim at an issue, this data is invaluable in helping us paint the picture of the contributions the industry makes and the breath & depth of its composition.”

 

The 2023 Equine Economic Impact Study can be purchased as a digital download from the AHC website: https://horsecouncil.org/economic-impact-study/

Equine Discounts Joins United Horse Coalition

as a New Member Benefit

Now becoming a member of the nation’s only equine program dedicated to helping responsible horse owners and assisting those who need the help is even more rewarding. The United Horse Coalition (UHC) is excited to announce its new partnership with My Equine Discounts.

 

This new partnership makes all UHC members at all levels eligible for discounts with Big Ass Fans, John Deere, Sherwin Williams, Farmers Insurance, and ODP Business Solutions.

 

The potential for savings can mean more than just paying for your UHC membership. For example, John Deere offers a Cash Bonus Program where all members can save up to $2,700 with stackable vouches and special financing. Or help your rescue become more energy efficient while saving money with a 25% discount on qualifying purchases through Big Ass Fans. Or get the most protection for your valuable dollar with insurance from Farmers Insurance, which offers multiple discounts and policy perks.

 

The possibilities are endless. 

 

“We are delighted to be able to offer this discount program to our members,” says Ashley Harkins, director of the UHC. “This can provide an opportunity for our member organizations to possibly make some purchases they maybe couldn’t do before.”

 

Established in 2006, the UHC is a neutral entity and broad alliance of equine organizations that have joined together under the American Horse Council to educate, advocate, and collaborate industry-wide on solutions to the issues that surround our nation’s at-risk horses and those in transition. It is a program that is funded solely by memberships and donations.

 

The UHC ensures that every horse owner has access to the resources they need to keep their horse(s) safe at home should they fall on hard times, or barring that, help provide options to rehome their horse responsibly, ensuring that no horse need be put in a situation where they become at-risk.

 

In addition to these essential resources, the UHC provides free presentations and educational materials to current and prospective equine owners on responsible horse ownership and breeding, estate planning, preparing for euthanasia and aftercare, responsible rehoming options, and more.

 

UHC members will need to contact UHC@horsecouncil.org to request a membership certificate to utilize this benefit.

 

To help us, help the equine industry, and the owners who need our support the most, please consider becoming a United Horse Coalition nonprofit, or organizational member: https://unitedhorsecoalition.org/become-a-member/ 

 

For more information on Equine Discounts, visit: http://equinediscounts.com

YOUTHFUL NEWS

The American Quarter Horse Association is launching AQHLearn.com, an online library of horse knowledge for youth ages 8 to 18, with an updated look and variety of courses. AQHLearn provides resources for youth to learn more about horses through an online learning platform.

 

The site features topics that pertain to all aspects of horses, including horse health, history and basic knowledge. New courses will be released on an ongoing basis.

 

AQHLearn includes materials for beginner, intermediate and advanced learning levels so people of all ages can gain the most knowledge from these resources. Users can learn new information or brush up on previously learned skills and take quizzes at the end of each section to earn course completion certificates.

 

As a brand-new member benefit, AQHLearn is free for all AQHA or AQHYA members. Members should visit www.aqhlearn.com to get started.

NM YOUTH RANCH MANAGEMENT CAMP

JUNE 9-14, 2024 at the CS Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico

 The Youth Ranch Management Camp helps youth

appreciate the 'why' behind ranching.

 

APPLICATIONS OPEN MARCH 1, 2024

 

Application site will be closed April 15, 2024. Completed applications will be reviewed by the NMYRMC Committee and applicants notified of acceptance by April 22, 2024. The registration fee of $400, or payment arrangement, is due on or before June 2, 2024. 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.

 

Learn more

 

(NMSU photo of ranch management camp participants from a previous session.)

HORSE HUMOR

Get in Touch

NMHC will publish an electronic newsletter the first week of each month. Send information (text or graphics) about your upcoming shows, clinics or meetings to info@nmhorsecouncil.org no later than 27th of each month. We will also include information for equine services such as equine training, boarding, veterinarians, hay sources, etc.

Ideal graphic size for the newsletter is 700 x 350 px as jpg

 

 
Visit the NMHC Website

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!

Join NMHC
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