Illinois horse owners polled in a statewide referendum on Oct. 7 approved an innovative new program that establishes an elective tax on horse feed products that will benefit equine research and education in the state.

Sponsored by the Horseman’s Council of Illinois (HCI), the referendum that would set the five-cent optional tax passed by a small margin. Proceeds from the taxation would be pooled into an equine education account to fund the improvement of research and education services for the benefit of horse owners–and horses–in Illinois