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.
Assemblyman Michael Cusick Bill # A-0033`7
Senator Andrew Lanza Bill # S-4342
JUSTIFICATION:
The past two decades have seen a tremendous loss of recreational equine facilities and opportunities within New York City. New York State must, at this time, protect, promote, and stabilize what is left of the equine industry within our great state. By doing so, this industry will continue to contribute to the City and State economy.
This bill is intended to halt the devastating depletion of recreational horse industries by giving authority over inspection, health and safety to New York State's Department of Agriculture and Markets. Action must be taken to stabilize and stimulate the horse industry for the enjoyment of our next generation of horse enthusiasts, continued equine attractions for the enjoyment of the public and availability of this great recreation for the people of the City of New York.
The equine community/industry of the City of New York has proven, without question, their ability to govern themselves without incidents; including but not limited to protecting the health of the public, ensuring biological security and preventing contagious zoonotic diseases or the possibility of epidemics.
This bill will create one statewide uniform standard governing the inspection, health and safety of the recreational horse industry in New York State. This measure will relieve the City of New York and its agencies including the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene from the burdensome enforcement of unique standards upon Rental Horses, Lesson Horses and Boarding/Lesson Stables. Due to the decrease in the size of the industry within New York City there is a financial drain on the city for the continuing involvement of the various city bureaus.
With this bill, standards will be determined and applied by agencies staffed, tasked and capable of providing such standards including the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
