From the American Horse Council
The “Congressional Cavalry,” organized by the American Horse Council and some of its member organizations in an effort to better serve the horse industry in Congress, continues to grow in numbers, officials said.
The latest organizations to join are the American Paint Horse Association, American Saddlebred Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, and the United States Equestrian Federation. The American Association of Equine Practitioners, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and United States Trotting Association already were members.
“If we can involve just one person from a few of our member organizations in each Congressional district with an expressed desire to be involved in the grassroots effort, think of the potential effect that could have when contacting representatives or senators about issues important to the horse industry,” AHC president Jay Hickey said. “That’s a lot of ‘horse power.’
“Last summer, when the appropriations bill for the Department of Agriculture surfaced with a misguided provision that could have shut down the interstate and international movement of horses, we activated the Congressional Cavalry and other organizations and were able to point out the problems the bill would have caused. We got a great response and the provision was changed before the House voted on it.”
Hickey said the AHC hopes more of its members join the Congressional Cavalry by the end of this year. All horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, trainers, competitors, recreational riders, service providers, and anyone who desires to be involved in grassroots efforts in Washington, D.C., can join, he said.
Hickey said the group eventually could provide the base for additional activities like visiting members of Congress, inviting members of Congress to visit a facility or event, and providing regular reports to Congress about activities in various districts.