The June 26 National Issues Forum offered by the American Horse Council in Washington, D.C., will focus on “Reinvigorating the Horse Industry,” the organization said April 25.
The forum is part of the AHC annual meeting June 24-27. The meeting will include visits with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, a congressional reception, and a breed roundtable, as well as satellite meetings including the Unwanted Horse Coalition.
“Over the last few years the number of horses being bred and overall participation in equine activities has declined,” the AHC said in a release. “Clearly, a major factor is the downturn in the economy; but there is a growing concern in the industry that the long-standing connection between horses and people is at risk for additional reasons.
“Many organizations are looking at how they can get more people active with horses, attract more participants and spectators to their events, and restore the demand for horse ownership by growing the horse community.”
The forum will address marketing initiatives for the equine industry as well as changes in federal advocacy, including reliance on social media.
“What other groups are doing and what kind of success they have had in mobilizing their members with new technologies will be addressed,” the AHC said. “Regardless of the method, grassroots activities are important to success in Washington and at the state and local level.”
The breed roundtable allows leaders of various equine disciplines to discuss issues of common concern.
Further information is available at horsecouncil.org.
