The American Horse Council (AHC) has announced that its theme for this year’s National Issues Forum, sponsored by Luitpold Animal Health, is “Protecting and Promoting the Horse.”

The issues that the horse industry has faced over the last decade have changed, but there are several consistent challenges. These include federal regulatory challenges, attracting newcomers to horses and equine activities, maintaining equine activities, and welfare initiatives to protect horses. But as with any challenges, they also create opportunities. The forum will focus on how the industry is dealing with them.

Of great importance to the horse industry is its relationship to the USDA, the AHC’s president said.

“Most horse owners don’t understand how and where and why the Department of Agriculture intersects with the horse community,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “Federal authority—and protection and assistance—extends over the horse industry not only on the breeding farms, but also on horses when they race, show, and are used for recreation

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