CURRENT TRENDS IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY
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Keith Kleine, MS Director of Industry Relations CURRENT TRENDS IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY
Transcript of CURRENT TRENDS IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY
Keith Kleine, MSDirector of Industry Relations
CURRENT TRENDS IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY
The Economy
John Holland, President of Equine Welfare Alliance
AH
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Breed Transfer Trends2000–2011
Breed Membership Trends2000–2011
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Quarter Horse Paint
Standardbred Arabian
Appaloosa Tennesse Walking
BREED TRANSFER ANDMEMBERSHIP TRENDS
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AQHA Paint
Arabian Standardbred
Appaloosa Tennessee Walking
AQHA Transfers
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50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Transfers in the Industry
Quarter Horse
Paint
Standardbred *
Arabian
Appaloosa
Tennessee Walking
INDUSTRY COMPARISON
Percentage Percentage Percentage
Decrease from Decrease from Decrease fromBreed 2012 to 2013 2006 to 2013 2000 to 2013
Quarter Horse -11.8% -55.1% -49.2%
Paint 4.6% -65.9% -78.5%
Thoroughbred -2.1% -44.0% -39.1%
Arabian -10.2% -53.3% -66.0%
Appaloosa -11.9% -60.7% -73.7%
Pinto -4.8% -60.0% -58.8%
Membership in the Industry
BREED 2014 2014 vs 2013 Trendchange
Quarter Horse 263,528 -7,185 -2.65%Paint 50,211 -1,082 -2.11%Arabian 22,433 -1,786 -7.37%Standardbred* 17,500 -554 -3.07%Appaloosa 12,096 -780 -6.06%Tennessee Walking 5,912 -1,741 -22.75%Miniature Horse 5,028 -1,021 -16.88%Morgan Horse 6,032 -325 -5.11%Pinto* 7,200 -233 -3.13%Saddlebred 6,562 -401 -5.76%Paso Fino 3,264 -160 -4.67%
Estimate*
Membership in the Industry
Quarter Horse
Paint
Arabian
Standardbred*
Appaloosa
Tennessee Walking
Miniature Horse
Morgan Horse
Pinto*
Saddlebred
Paso FinoEstimate*
STALLION BREEDING REPORTS BY STALLION GROUPS
01,0002,0003,0004,0005,0006,0007,000
Race Stallions
02,0004,0006,0008,000
10,00012,00014,00016,00018,00020,000
Show Stallions
05,000
10,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,000
Other Activity Stallions
Horse Registrations Trends
AQHA Registrations
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Registrations in the Industry
BREED 2014 14 vs 13 Trendchange
Quarter Horse 83,146 9,032 12.19%Paint 11,572 -1,837 -13.70%Thoroughbred * 22,000 -1,000 -4.35%Standardbred 7,448 -329 -4.23%Tennessee Walking 2,825 -1,329 -31.99%Arabian 3,489 207 6.31%Appaloosa 2,391 -263 -9.91%Miniature Horse 3,715 -462 -11.06%Anglo & Half Arabian 1,045 36 3.57%Saddlebred 1,241 -295 -19.21%Ponies of America * 450 -30 -6.25%Morgan Horse 1,389 -36 -2.53%Pinto * 1,650 -53 -3.11%Paso Fino 623 134 27.40%
Registrations in the Industry
Quarter HorsePaintThoroughbred *StandardbredTennessee WalkingArabianAppaloosaMiniature HorseAnglo & Half ArabianSaddlebredPonies of America*Morgan Horse
AQHA Registrations by Foaling Year
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1986 2014 Projected
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2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
37,949
22,000
AHC Breed RoundtableUSEF
2-3% ↑ in membership/ 20% ↑ in show entriesArabians
15% ↑ in small shows/ ↑embryo transfers, exportsTherapeutic Riding Assoc.
7% growth (6,000 horses)NCHA
↑events and pursesPRCA
6.4% ↑ in entriesAQHA
15% ↑ in show entries/ # of horses down
HERITAGE CLOSES WITH 45% JUMP IN AVERAGEOKLAHOMA CITY—When the last horse exited the ring at Heritage Place Saturday, figures showed that the entire offering in the Winter Mixed Sale averaged $12,168 and the median price was $6,500.Preliminary sheets issued by the sale company and TRACK Magazine also showed that a remarkable 90% of the horses that went through the ring in the three day event were listed as “sold.”The $12,168 average was up 45% over the 2013 figure of $8,397. The $6,500 median is a 44% jump over $4,500 figure posted for the 2013 sale.
TB Yearling & Broodmare Sale Prices
U.S. Horse Population
* Combined population of several additional breeds and unregistered horses2005 American Horse Council study Deloitte Consulting
** AQHA 2010 Annual Report
9.2 Million Horsesin the U.S.
By Use• 3.91 million – recreation• 2.72 million – showing• 840,000 – racing• 1.75 million – other*
By Breed• American Quarter Horse – 3.10 million**• Thoroughbred – 1.29 million• Other* – 4.64 million
Texas 1,000,000
California 700,000
Florida 500,000
Oklahoma 326,000
Kentucky 320,000
Ohio 307,000
Missouri 281,000
North Carolina 256,000
Colorado 256,000
Pennsylvania 256,000
States with Largest Horse Populations
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Horse Owner Demographics
Estimate there are 1.8 million horse owners* Generally speaking they are:** FemaleAges 45+HH income of $50,000+ Employed full-timeMarried
*AVMA U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographic Sourcebook, 2012
**Brakke Equine Marketing Mega Study, 2014
Horse Owner Demographics*
85% Recreational rider 30% Participate in competitive events 11% Breed horses 10% Manage a horse facility 9% Groom or exercise horses 7% Are professional trainers 2% Own race horses
*Brakke Equine Marketing Mega Study, 2014
Horse Owner Demographics*
24% believe horse economy is improving
24% believe horse economy is getting worse
48% ride Western Style Most often compete in barrel racing,
pleasure & trail events
16% ride English-style Most often compete in hunter and dressage
events
*Brakke Equine Marketing Mega Study, 2014
Current Culture and Attitudes
Horse crazy boomers aging, new generations have multiple other interests
Horse world can seem arrogant to none horse owners
Increased public concern with horse welfare
Major Horse Industry Issues Horse welfare
Federal/ State Pending Legislation
Unacceptable training techniques
Processing of Horses for meat
Emerging diseases
Declining horse ownership
Equine Welfare Issues: Unwanted Horses, Racing, Wild Horses, Show Horse Ethics, TWH Soring & Horse Slaughter
The Public’s concern for horse welfare is at an all time high, while the Public’s knowledge of what constitutes good horse welfare is at an all time low
Welfare
“Animal welfare is fast becoming themajor challenge of the veterinary profession for this century.”Dr. Bernie OsbornDean Emeritus of the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Welfare
“The greatest threat to animal agriculture is a misinformed consumer (public).”
Todd AllenFormer President, Kansas Livestock Association
Center for Food Integrity Survey:Most credible source of information on farm animal care according to consumers
16%
12% 12%
6%
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HSUS Veterinarians PETA Farmers/Ranchers
Survey of 5th Graders*
What are the most important issues in the world?
1. Welfare of Animals2. Protecting the Environment3. Caring for People
*USAToday 2009 Survey
So…we’re smart people.
How difficult can making recommendations on equine welfare really be?
Animal Use & Care Decisions
How did we get to such different places?
Why the Divergence on What Constitutes Good Welfare?
Our views on animal welfare are conditioned by our personalknowledge base and life experiences.
Unwanted Horse/ Welfare IssuesComplicated by:
Horses as livestock vs. companion animals
Unwanted Horse/ Welfare IssuesComplicated by:
Urbanization
US and Farm Populations: 1900 - 1990
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Unwanted Horse/ Welfare IssuesComplicated by:
Processing of horses for human consumption
Unwanted Horse/ Welfare IssuesComplicated by:
Aggressive campaign by animal activist groups
Unwanted Horse/ Welfare IssuesComplicated by:
America’s Most Beloved Animals*
American Public’s love affair with the horse*Kellert, S.R., American Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of Animals: An Update, 1980
Welfare View-Animal Related Businesses
Welfare is important—they care for animals, but………•Production efficiencies•Cost•Competitive pressures•Return on investment•Tradition (habituation)
May view animals as instruments for human use
Often viewed as ‘cold’ or ‘uncaring by the public
Another Viewpoint:Animal Protection Activists
Many not familiar with animal industries and animal care practices
Most driven by genuine desire to make sure animals are used appropriately
Use celebrities and emotion to carry message
But………their organizations need to survive/ raise money
Another Viewpoint:Public Officials
Come from all walks of life/experiences
Most not familiar with animal use industries and animal care
But………they need to be re-elected/appointed
Tremendous potential for stakeholder influence
Another Welfare Viewpoint:The PublicUrbanization
Animals move from utility to companions
Pet “parents” vs. owners
Are moderate animal rights advocates
Vision of animal welfare similar to their own, personal welfare
Want a voice in protecting animals……..but not sure what that means
What Resonates With The Public
What Resonates With The Public
allowed to roam freely fed a vegetarian diet
small, Amish/Mennonite, family farms
eggs gathered by hand
Unwanted Horses
“Horses which are no longer wanted by their current owner because they are old, injured, sick, unmanageable, or fail to meet their owner’s expectations.”*
*AAEP hosted Unwanted Horse meeting, 2005
Unwanted Horse Contributing Factors*
Downturn in the economy Closing of nation’s processing
facilities High cost of euthanasia/ carcass
disposal Indiscriminate breeding
*UHC’s National Assessment Study of Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue, 2009. www.unwantedhorsecoalition.com
Demographics of the“Unwanted” Horse Generally horses:
Old Incurably lame Behavioral problems Dangerous Un-adoptable feral horses (mustangs) Fail to meet owner’s expectations Unattractive Not athletic Unmarketable Wrong color (no color) Cost too much to care for
Normal, healthy horses of various ages and breeds
Unwanted Horse Demographics*
Most likely to be sold Show or competition horse Failed to meet expectations Quarter Horse; Paint; Thoroughbred 3-10 years of age 45% mares; 48% geldings
Most likely to be donated Race horse Failed to meet expectations Thoroughbred; Quarter Horse 6-20 years of age 33% mares; 63% geldings
*UHC’s National Assessment Study of Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue, 2009 www.unwantedhorsecoalition.com
Unwanted Horse Demographics*
Most likely to be euthanized Recreational; riding horse Horse old or terminal
illness/injury Quarter Horse; Thoroughbred;
Arabian 10-21+ years 55% geldings; 42% mares
*UHC’s National Assessment Study of Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue, 2009
Number of “Unwanted” Horses
~44,721 exported to Canada for processing in 2014*
~105,339 exported to Mexico for processing in 2014*
Total = 150,060
Up from 138,845 in 2013
Others?Native American herds?Neglected, abandoned, abused?
*USDA, Veterinary Services
Horse Processing Numbers
Horse Processing Numbers
Recent Years
Canada Mexico TOTAL 2010 - 68,914 52,580 121,494 2011 - 66,254 68,429 134,683 2012 - 57,749 110,202 167,951 2013 - 36,591 102,254 138,845 2014 - 44,721 105,339 150,060
Top Indexing Solutions for Unwanted Horse*
Reopen U.S. processing plants.
Educate owners to breed, purchase, & own responsibly.
Increase ability of private rescue/retirement facilities to care for unwanted horses.
Increase options & resources to euthanize & dispose of unwanted horses.
*UHC’s National Assessment Study of Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue, 2009
Processing of Horses for Human Consumption
* Dallas Crown(Kaufman)
Beltex(Fort Worth) *
Cavel International *(De Kalb)
State laws closed all three U.S. plants in 2007
USDA Transport Requirements
1996 Farm Bill gave USDA responsibility for regulating commercial transport ofhorses to slaughter & ensures:
Each horse is fit for travel Horses provided food, water and rest prior to loading on
vehicles Each horse has enough floor space to avoid injury or
discomfort. Stallions or aggressive horses are completely
segregated Transport documents certify the date, time and place
the equine(s) were loaded on conveyance.
Horse Transportation StudiesTemple Grandin Study (CSU-1999)
63 trailer loads arriving at U.S. processing plants 92% arrived in good condition 7.7% had welfare issues
Poor Body Condition Foot & limb problems Lacerations
Fighting was major cause of injuries during shipment 77% of welfare issues were due to neglect or abuse
by owner
Caroline Stull Study (UC-Davis-1999) 29.9% injury rate in double-decker trailers 8% injury rate in straight trailers
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report – June 2011
HORSE WELFARE: Action Needed to Address Unintended Consequences from Cessation of Domestic Slaughter
Findings Closing plants reduced price of lower-to-medium
priced horses by 8-21% No affect on higher priced horses Economic downturn reduced prices on all horses
by 4-5% Recommended options for action
Return regulation and inspection of horses for slaughter in the US
Permanently and completely outlaw the use of horses for food animals
Federal Welfare Legislation
1996 Farm Bill amended in 2006 Phased out double deck trailers for transport of slaughter horses Expanded in 2011
Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2013 (SAFE Act) H.R. 1094—Rep. Pat Meehan (R-PA) 4/2/2013 S. 541 – Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) 3/13/2013
Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2015 H.R. 1282 – Rep. (D-TN-9) 3/4/2015 Prohibits the transport of all horses in a vehicle that contains two or
more levels
2014 Farm Appropriations Bill Restricts processing plant USDA inspections
Racing in the 1970s: a great decade with threeTriple Crown winners, but also…
Seattle Slew
Affirmed
Secretariat
Breakdown of a champion filly during 1975 TV broadcast of match race
Early public awareness of racehorse welfare concerns.
Three more breakdowns seen on TV
1990: Go for Wand2006: Barbaro2008: Eight Belles
Racing in today’s culture*
Reduced popularity Lower # starts, # race
days, handle, attendance Aging fan base
Public concern about medications, breakdowns Questions about drugs in
all sports
*Ann Dwyer. DVM
Medication-General public believes:
Drugs = cheating Drugs = performance
enhancement Drugs = breakdowns
AAEP white papers
http://www.aaep.org/equine_welfare.htm
Medication-The AAEP supports:
Uniform medication rules based on science
Uniform testing procedures RMTC Certified labs
Uniform penalties strict punishment for repeat
offenses or prohibited substances
Allowing Salix on race day therapeutic medication for EIPH
Came Together in 2013
Challenges Many trainers, some
veterinarians, want permissive medication
There are 38 racing jurisdictions
Public cannot differentiate between therapeutic medications and performance enhancing drugs
Challenges
Injuries are multifactorial
Science on ways to reduce them is limited
Breakdowns will NEVER be completely eliminated
Other initiatives
NYRWB Task Force looked at Racehorse Health and Safety at Aqueduct New York Racing Emergency
Rules
California Racing Safety Program Necropsy of all fatalities Track safety program
Research Grayson Jockey Club Numerous university projects
America’s Wild Horses:The BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program
In 1971, Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
Goal (with 4 subsequent amendments) is to ensure that healthy herds thrive on healthy range lands
Program protects, manages and controls our population of wild horses and burros
Management includes reducing wild herd numbers
BLM WH&B Mission is two fold
Healthy Ranges Healthy Horses
Not a simple task!
BLM Herd Management
Herd Management Areas (HMAs) sustainability reviewed by BLM
Herd reduction strategies Fertility management
• PZP vaccine• Gender ratio adjustment
Gathers-planned removals
BLM WH&B Program Today
The BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program began as an adoption program, but has evolved into a welfare program.
BLM Horse & Burro Numbers
16,160 feral horses& burros in BLM adoption pipeline*
$8,152/ horse if adopted
33,608 un-adoptable feral horses & burros in BLM funded sanctuaries*
$45 K lifetime care/horse, if not adopted $46.2/ $72 Mio budget spent each year to house
≈48,726 horses & burros on the range today*
26,700 - estimated range capacity
*Bureau of Land Management, 2014
Wild Horse & Burro Locations
Nearly half (>20,000) reside in Nevada
>4000 in CA, AZ,>3500 in WY, UTSmall #s in OR, MT, NM, ID, CO
Other Feral Horses
≈50,000 horses on non-BLM federal & state land*
Not protected by “Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act”, 1971
Land Managed by: U.S. Fish & Wildlife U.S. Park Service Department of Defense U.S. Forest Service
*Bureau of Land Management
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Population Number
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Population Growth w/o Gathers andPopulation Control Measures
Historical On-Range, Off-Range,Removal & Adoption Numbers
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
On-Range Population 48,624 45,414 38,815 37,186 37,135 31,760 31,206 28,563 33,105 36,940 38,365 38,497 37,294 40,605 48,726Animals Removed 8,631 13,277 12,029 10,081 9,899 11,023 9,926 7,726 5,275 6,413 10,255 8,877 8,522 4,178 623Off-Range Population 6,086 9,807 14,368 17,879 20,474 23,337 27,195 29,247 31,048 31,639 34,979 40,589 46,429 49,088 47,942Animals Adopted
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6,192 7,630 7,746 6,165 6,644 5,701 5,172 4,772 3,706 3,474 3,074 2,844 2,583 2,671 731
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Some Older Horses Are Trained
A few of the mature horses (6-11 years) go to Prison Programs.
Receive 4 months training with an experienced trainer
Inmates taught horsemanship
Auction at end
One of The Most Successful Programs
Some go to the “Extreme Mustang Makeover”
Run by the Mustang Heritage Foundation
Trained by prominent trainers for a season
Over 2000 sold or adopted from program since 2007
BLM Fertility Reduction Efforts
Porcine Zona Pellucida vaccines to prevent pregnancy
$250/mare, Must capture, vaccinate and releaseNOT 100% effective. Blocks conception up to 2 years
Gender ratio adjustmentRelease more males than females
Alternative Fertility Control Castrate stallions > 6 years of age Spay mares > 6 years of age Return to the range Requirements by activist groups Not influence social behavior Have no debilitating side effects on the health of the
horse Effects are reversible
Soring of Tennessee Walking Horses
Brief History of the Big Lick
1940’s-50’s—TW surged in popularity, esp. in South
“Big Lick”—everyone wanted it!
1950’s-60’s—Short cuts developed >> Soring
Shoes, weights, padsChainsCaustic chemicals
Shortcuts = SORING
Application, insertion or injection of any substance or material on or into a limb, or manipulation of the limb that causes pain, distress, inflammation or lameness.
Can be done with chemicals, shoes, pads, chains, or other hardware alone or in combination.
Can also be done with hoof shaping.
Signs of soring
Standing with feet close, shifting weight to hind legs
Irritated, scarred or dark skin on pasterns
Resistance of hoof handling or pastern palpation
Lying down a lot, reluctance to rise
Difficulty walking, “praying mantis” gait
“Performance Packages”
Pads, “stacks”, bolts, or heel springs affixed to hoof Pads up to 4” at heel, 2”
at toe Often weighted Strapped on by metal
bands
Currently (2015) unregulated
Chemical Irritants Caustic chemicals applied
to pastern; chains increase pain. Pain causes
exaggerated gait rewarded in show ring
Kerosene, diesel. mustard or croton oil, hand cleaner, WD 40, etc.
Illegal, but in widespread use
“Action Devices”
Chains or rollers Steel, aluminum, wood Circle front pasterns Cause pain when very
heavy or if skin is inflamed
Currently (2015) one per limb allowed Must be < 6 ounces
Physical soring
Trimming down to sensitive sole or removing supporting hoof wall
Inducing laminitis Adding weight to pads,
or inserting hard objects between pad and sole
Over tightening of bands holding “packages”
Horse Protection Act (HPA)
1970: Horse Protection Act Soring ILLEGAL, fines set Soring not allowed in shows,
sales or exhibits
1976: HPA amendment DQP program USDA oversight of DQPs DQPs licensed by HIO (horse
industry orgs)
More history…
2006: Swabbing begins -high # positives found.
2008: AAEP white paper on “Ending Soring”*
2010: USDA Office of Atty G. reports HPA oversight inadequate.
Faults DQP “self policing” program.
2012: Video of abuse goes viral Escalates public concern Big fines, criminal indictment of
trainer
* AAEP Paper: http://www.aaep.org/equine_welfare.htm
Current SituationA sored gait is still rewarded in the show ring. 8-9% of all horses at 2011 &
2012 Celebrations cited Industry has failed to
police itself. Uncooperative with USDA
enforcement efforts
Strong effort across horse industry/veterinary community to stop it
April 2013: “PAST” ACT—HR 1518”Prevent All Soring Tactics”
If passed, HR 1518 would amend the HPA to:
BAN “Performance packages” (weighted shoes, wedges, hoof bands)
BAN “Action devices”
Rules would apply only to Tennessee Walkers, Spotted Saddle horses and Racking horses
Other Pending Federal Legislation Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2013 H.R. 1528—Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) S. 1171 – Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) Signed into Law – July 2014
Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2013 (PAST act) H.R. 1518 – Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) S. 1406 – Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013 H.R. 2012 – Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA) S. 973 – Sen. Tom Udall (R-NM)
GovTrack.us
Show Ring Ethics &Unacceptable Training Techniques
AQHA Welfare Commission Created
Definition of Abuse: Any excessive and/or repetitive action to cause obvious distress or discomfort to a horse.
Structure for Fines and Penalties to address abuse and unsportsmanlike conduct
Detrimental Genetic DiseasesWill we eliminate them?
Arabians: LFS (CCDL), Cerebral Arbiotrophy (CA), SCID (17% Carriers)
American Paints: HYPP, PSSM 1&2, HERDA, GBED, OLWS (21.3% Carriers)
Belgians: PSSM 1&2, Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), “Shivers”
Thoroughbreds Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyosis (REB)
Saddlebreds JEB
Quarter Horses HYPP, PSSM 1 & 2, GBED, HERDA, MH, OLWS
Horse Owner DemographicsThe proportion of horse owners 18-34 has declined 15% from2009 to 2013
18-34 Year olds (11%) 34% Western 25% English 39% Both
35-54 Year olds (42%) 47% Western 16% English 29% Both
55 Years plus (47%) 53% Western 14% English 24% Both *Brakke Equine Marketing Mega Study, 2014
Declining Horse Owner Numbers
Declining horse ownership Declining Youth participation So………….how do we revitalize the industry
and attract new owners?
DISCUSSION & QUESTIONS
CURRENT TRENDS IN THE HORSE INDUSTRY
