by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2024
The horse power of the equine industry added $177 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, according to a useful new survey from the American Horse Council. That’s up from 122 billion in 2017. It affects a variety of sectors, including such obvious segments as agriculture and veterinary services, as well as tourism and technology.
There are 2.2 million jobs linked to horses, everything from farriers and veterinarians to truck drivers, nutritionists and journalists. Even so, the number of horses in the country has dropped over six years, from 7.2 million in 2017 to 6.6 million last year.
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. The data can be used in connection with investments in equine-related businesses, equine health care, education, land use decisions, tax policy, tourism and employment incentives.
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 1, 2024
Italy is the first country to pass a law recognizing horses as athletes.
According to the legislation of September 2023, an “athlete horse” has to be registered, cannot be intended for use as food and must be listed with the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation.
This historic decision by the Italian government was discussed Jan. 31 in a conference entitled: “Horse Athlete: protections and prospects,” organized in Bologna by the federation. The session included representatives of the European Equestrian Federation and the International Jumping Riders Club.
Only the Italian Equestrian Federation would meet in a room that looks like one of the country’s many museums,
The concept is expected to pave the way for more legal developments, perhaps in the area of equine transport and veterinary controls. It also could be an important consideration in view of the ever-expanding role of social license to operate. (See the feature story on this website for details of that movement.)
by Nancy Jaffer | Feb 2, 2024
The U.S. Equestrian Federation Monday came out with a new and stronger statement on the suspension of dressage trainer Cesar Parra, as videos that showed him whipping horses and other problematic actions continued to spark outraged comments on social media and led to an FEI investigation.
“The training practices documented in the videos cannot be tolerated in our sport. USEF is steadfast in its commitment to horse well-being and has committed its resources to supporting the FEI in bringing this matter to resolution as expediently as possible,” the federation emphasized.
Noting the clips depicted “abhorrent abusive training techniques by FEI dressage athlete and trainer Cesar Parra (USA) at his private training facility in Florida,” the statement continued, “USEF immediately coordinated with the FEI. The following day, the FEI imposed a temporary suspension against Cesar Parra, which is being enforced by USEF at the national level, prohibiting him and his horses’ participation in competition.
Among other things, the videos show Parra whipping a horse in front of the saddle while he is riding, and whipping another that he is longeing with its head cranked down to its chest.
Cesar Parra in competition. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
The FEI offered no comment on the specifics of the situation while its investigation is ongoing, but it issued a statement saying, “Equestrian sport is built on a foundation of respect for our equine partners, with a duty of care to ensure their mental and physical well-being comes first, ahead of all competition and/or training ambitions.
“Through the FEI’s Rules and Regulations, the welfare of the horse, and any action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse constitutes a violation of our rules and will be sanctioned. The FEI remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of equine welfare and sanctioning behaviour which deviates from these principles, and will be actively investigating this case as a matter of urgency.”
A native of Colombia who rode in the Olympics for that nation, then was part of the U.S. team at the 2011 Pan American Games after getting his American citizenship, Parra did not respond to two requests for comment.
Germany’s professional riders group issued a statement in German saying, “We also saw the terrible videos and images from the USA over the weekend in which horses were mistreated and subjected to massive violence.”
“We want to clearly distance ourselves from … these methods. This has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with our understanding of horse training. Such images bring the entire equestrian sport into disrepute. All those involved who use these methods that violate animal welfare must be held accountable.
“Where is the respect for the animal? As professional riders, we in particular have a special obligation to the horse and must act as advocates for the horses. What remains for us is to continue to stand up for horse-friendly training with all our might, to teach and practice classical riding theory and thus stand up for our horses and our sport.”
The Parra situation comes on the heels of last year’s scandal involving an undercover television documentary on mistreatment of horses at a Helgstrand Dressage training facility in Denmark. As a result, Olympian Andreas Helgstrand was suspended from the Danish team until at least January 2025.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 25, 2024
The Kentucky 5-star three-day event has a new name. Rather than being called the Land Rover event, the successor to the original Rolex title, it is now the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event after one of Land Rover’s models. presented by MARS Equestrian™.
The event at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington April 25-28 is the USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum over the Defender cross-country obstacle on their way to winning the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky 5-star. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Charlotte Blank, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer of JLR North America, said, “We are pleased to continue the title sponsorship of one of the premier equestrian events in the world, the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian.
“The Defender is an ideal partner for the equestrian lifestyle, thanks to its purposeful design and exceptional capability. We look forward to continued relationships with the community and showcasing the Defender lifestyle at future events.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 11, 2024
From “Veterinary Care for the Senior Horse” to “Balanced Hoofcare” with a discussion of barefoot vs. shod, the annual horse management seminar Feb. 3 in New Brunswick will answer equestrians’ concerns along the lines of “You asked for it…!”
Presented by the Rutgers Equine Science Center and Rutgers Cooperative Extension, the seminar will be held live after three years of virtual conferences. The program consists of the most requested topics by those who attended the virtual conferences.
“This year, we selected a topic that we have not covered in a long time, if ever. Whether you have racehorses, sport horses, or just like riding horses, there will be something for everyone. We have so many veterinary and nutrition experts and colleagues. I am very excited to be able to have them share their expertise with you” said Dr. Carey Williams, extension equine specialist and associate director of extension for the Rutgers Equine Science Center.
“Our goal for this face-to-face seminar is to bring in the leading veterinary and academic experts in each of these topic areas. This includes caring for and feeding the senior horse, farrier care, emergency management, orthopedic problems and solutions, parasites, and pain.”
Those making the presentations are leading experts in their field. They include Dr. Jessica Martin of Mountain Pointe Equine, who deals with a lot of senior horses in her practice, along with having owned senior horses. Among others is Dr. Nettie Liburt, who owns Liburt Equine Nutrition Consulting. She will present, “Feeding the Senior Horse”. A talk on “Emergency Management” will be presented by another Mountain Pointe Equine veterinarian, Dr. Charlotte Weisberg.
Other topics include a lecture on parasites and ticks and a presentation on physical therapy and other ways to manage orthopedic injuries.
In addition to these presentations, the seminar will feature informational displays, networking opportunities with industry companies and area organizations, ample time for one-on-one discussions with the day’s presenters and door prizes.
Early bird registration ends on Jan. 22, so those planning to attend are encouraged to register before then to secure the discounted rate. The complete program, registration information, and seminar brochure are posted on the Rutgers Equine Science Center website at esc.rutgers.edu, as well as the registration site at: https://go.rutgers.edu/2024HMSReg.
However, those who can’t make it to the live presentation, the program will be available on line on three successive Tuesday evenings; Feb. 13, 20 and 27, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.To register go to: https://go.rutgers.edu/2024VirtualHMSReg
Each webinar will feature two speakers whose presentations will be under the theme of “You asked for it…!”
February 13 is about pasture management, with the topics, “Managing Weeds in Horse Pastures”
by Dr. Matt Elmore, Rutgers University, and “Equipment for Small Horse Farm Pasture Management”
by Dr. Bob Coleman, University of Kentucky.
On Feb. 20, senior horse care is featured with “Feeding the Senior Horse,” presented by Dr. Nettie Liburt of Liburt Equine Nutritional Consulting, and the other topic is “Veterinary Care for the Geriatric Horse”
by Dr. Jessica Martin, Mountain Pointe Equine, Hackettstown, N.J.
On Feb 27, health and welfare is the focus, with“Parasites and Ticks in your Horse” by Dr. Danielle Smarsh of Pennsylvania State University, and “Evaluating Pain in your Horse,” by Dr. Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University
Attendees can register for one specific webinar night, or for all three at the same time using the same link. The webinars are free to attend. However, to facilitate a more engaged live audience with the speakers, they will not be posted to the archived webinars immediately after the program.
For questions, contact Carey Williams at 848-932-5529, or carey.williams@rutgers.edu.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jan 20, 2024
Ocala’s World Equestrian Center is soaring. With the first U.S. Nations Cup-style League of Nations team competition set for March 20-23, the facility’s visibility is also being raised by introducing World Championship Hunter Rider competition that weekend and Feb. 7-11.
Budget-priced standing-room-only general admission tickets are available at this link for the League of Nations team competition, which will draw squads from 10 countries. For more information go to www.wec.net.
At the same time, the All for the Horses Expo, an equine industry tradeshow, will be held March 22-24 at WEC. It will offer an expanded schedule of events and a larger selection of equestrian and lifestyle vendors than it had last year. General admission and parking for the Expo will be free.WE
The Riding Academy Hotel, a companion to the 5-star hotel already operating on the property, is set to be ready for guests shortly.
Meanwhile, work has begun on a 180,000-square-foot event center set to open in 2025. It will offer meeting and event space, a grand ballroom and four new restaurants, including two rooftop concepts. Additionally, The Shoppes Off 80th, an upscale outdoor shopping venue offering space for 28 new retailers, is slated for completion in 2025.
The University of Florida Health Family Medical Center will offer on-site care for people, just as the University of Florida Veterinary Center that opened in 2022 did for horses.
On the equestrian front, a sixth indoor arena will accommodate an expanded dressage lineup, while seven more outdoor rings are also being constructed.
