LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

One area that the New York State Horse Council dedicates energy toward is the support of legislative efforts and other initiatives that are favorable to the horse industry. Even without becoming a member you to can assist us by providing us your voice.

Currently there are a number of issues pending in the legislature in New York State. Among the most important is "The Inherent Risk Legislation" which establishes a reasonable set of safety standards for the horse industry while reducing a horseowner's liability, if those safety standards have been met. Read about our past success with the passage of "The Helmet Bill" which requires persons under 14 years of age who ride horses to wear helmets and requires certain providers of horses to supply helmets and helmet safety information to children or beginner riders.

There is also legislation pending that limits a landowner's liability toward persons using his property for recreational purposes. This includes horseback riding. This bill provides protection for landowners from lawsuits if a recreational user gets hurt on their property, thus encouraging landowners to be more receptive about letting us ride on their land. These bills pertain to all recreational users, both motorized and non-motorized.

Another set of bills exempts horseshoeing supplies and services from sales and use taxes. Two other bills that we have interest in are one that provides that horses seized as a result of animal cruelty shall be tested for equine infectious anemia within twenty-four hours of being transported to a holding facility; increases penalties for cruelty to animals; prohibits animal fighting, wrestling and baiting; makes provisions for shelters for dogs; and transportation of nonambulatory animals; and one that provides that any person operating a horse-drawn vehicle on a public highway from dusk to dawn to have reflective material attached to the carriage or cart, have reflective material attached to the bridle and other harnesses on any horse providing locomotion and have reflective material worn by the driver and all passengers.

How can you help to support our common interests? Contact your legislator.

1. Call him or her on the telephone. Be sure to have the bill numbers handy. This saves time. Tell your representatives how you would like them to vote for you. You may want to explain why it is important to you.

2. Write a letter to your representative. Have the bill numbers handy.

3. E-mail your representatives. All senators and some assemblymen have email addresses.

4. If you don't know who your legislators are look them up here or call your Town Hall, call the League of Women Voters or call your local Board of Elections

5. You can pull bills up and print them out on the websites of the State Legislature. You need to have bill numbers or search words.

OTHER AFFILIATIONS

Two other initiatives that we are involved in concern the Equine Committee of the Farm Bureau and a new organization known as the New York State Equine Industry Leaders. The first is designed to ensure that the horse is recognized and supported by the Farm Bureau statewide. The committee is used as a sounding board for Farm Bureau policies and also as a feeder organization for defining the horse's role within the overall Farm Bureau concept of operations. The second organization is designed to bring the various disciplines within the Sport Horse world, the various breed organizations, the two major racing groups (Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds) and other ancillary and state organizations together in a forum which will support the horse industry in New York. As the umbrella organization for the Sport Horse within the state, the Horse Council is strongly represented in this ad hoc organization.

WE ARE THERE FOR THE HORSE

The horse council continues to support any and all efforts to enforce the state laws concerning the humane shipping of horses destined for slaughter. The state has one of the most comprehensive laws in the nation, and has in many cases been very successful in enforcing it. But this, as with anything else which is hard to detect, can swing towards non-enforcement very easy.

The Horse Council has taken the stand that it will provide assistance to any District Attorney or Court which desires information when they encounter one of these cases. Too often in the past, the local DA or court has not checked for previous offenses and the perpetrators have gotten away with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. If you desire to know more about this project and our cooperation with other organizations, look at our Humane Committee page and use it to move onto the Equine Placement Network's home page. Both will provide good information.