LISTENING SESSIONS

November 18, 2005

21 participants from 5 counties (Ballard, Carlisle, Livingston, McCracken, Crittendon ) and representing these breeds, - Arabians, Standardbreds, miniature horses, Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, mules, draft horses Walking Horses - and these activities - dressage, hunter/jumpers, trail riding, pleasure riding, racing, Western riding and competition.

What is your vision for the future of the equine industry in Kentucky and this region in the next 10-20 years?

There will be a regional sales/show facility with sufficient stabling to handle a show or sale of at least 200 horses

Until there are adequate facilities in this region of Kentucky, people will continue to leave for other states to sell their horses and to show their horses and those of us who breed and show will struggle to build our businesses

We need a multi-purpose arena for horse shows and sales

We will have an all-weather facility for clinics, shows and sales

Horse-related tourism and businesses would grow along with a sales/show facility located along I-24

We need to bring all the horse-related organizations in Kentucky together to have one voice about what's needed by government to create opportunities to build the industry

The County Judge-Executives and other political leaders at the local level and the Chambers of Commerce need to know about the economic value and the economic contributions of horses to the local economies

In the future, horse shows won't leave Kentucky and take their money with them

We will have equine-related education that starts in middle and high schools

We will have equine co-op education programs

USDF has created an opportunity for high school dressage clubs with an opportunity to letter in dressage as a sport. All that is required is for the high school to adopt the rules established by USDF

We need hands-on or vocational training on equine management for middle school and high school students that focuses especially on safety. A lot of parents buy their kids a horse and want to support their children's interest but neither the parents nor the kids really know much about horses and riding. So the child gets hurt and the family loses interest in horses and a future buyer and horse rider is lost

We need information/clinics to help people understand what they should be looking for when they are going to buy a horse for themselves or their children and what is required to maintain a healthy horse

We need to create opportunities for anyone, especially youth to explore horse-riding and horse management through scholarships and sponsorships

Need to find a way to get kids and adults to programs that help them learn about horses

While there are some excellent facilities for trail riding in this area (Land Between the Lakes) we could use more that do not require you to haul your horse for a couple of hours

There needs to be consistent and understandable health regulations for moving horses in and out of Kentucky

Right now, if you want to go trail riding in Illinois or Indiana or Tennessee, you have to have mounds of paperwork and it is not all consistent

There needs to be veterinary lab facilities in this area/region so that those of us who are involved in breeding can get more rapid lab results. Right now it sometimes takes 3 to 5 days to get results and that makes it almost not worth getting the results

In there future there will be no sales ta x on horse feed and stud fees

We will have an all breeds day and/or an open stable day in the region to promote the horse industry and to help people become familiar with the different breeds and the different ways in which horses can be enjoyed and contribute to the economy

What does UK need to do to enhance its support of the equine industry in Kentucky?

UK needs to:

Do equine related activities in the western part of Kentucky, not just central Kentucky

Develop a degree program in the equine area - something that offers an alternative to Murray and Morehead

Have more current publications on horse topics

Offer clinics and informational materials on equine nutrition and horse and management and safety

Let people know about what information and educational resources and programs are available at UK - It's very hard to find any information when you go on the web

Do research on mosquito control that is safe for horses. Mosquitos are a real problem in this part of the state

Develop pesticide recommendations that are specific for horses

Do research on weed control - help people know about and recognize noxious and poisonous weeds for horses

Do research on salmonella and horses - what is the likelihood of inter-species transmission of the disease and how do you prevent it. I know that there have been cases in this area of racoons getting horses sick with salmonella

Help this area get qualified farriers

Develop information on the diversity of the horse business in Kentucky. We need information that we can share with our political leaders and our Chambers of Commerce

Send people from main campus to help the regions in support of 4-H horse programs