The official site of the North Carolina Horse Council

2009 in Review

Based on the 2009 Year in Review Report, what should the NCHC be doing in 2010?

Comments (15)

“It was with a sigh of relief that I saw NCHC is educating owners about euthanasia. This subject is not generally discussed, yet the numbers of aged and/or ill horses will continue to grow. People need to know what options are available. Thanks, NCHC, for helping owners understand that we all need to make a plan for the inevitable death of our horses. ”
“ I would like to ride on the beach. I know that you can rent horses to ride on the beach, but I do not know where you can go and ride your own horse. If anyone knows of a place in NC that you can go and ride on the beach,Please let me know. Thank you, Faye”
“What is the councils position on getting laws passed for allowing betting on horseracing in nc.I am in favor of it and hope others would be also it would be great to have our own track in state than taking our horses out of stste to race Thank You Ed Jones”
“I think we need to expand the trails. So many horse owners are now trail riding rather than showing. I for one dont show as much because of the cost. I can go on great trail rides with less money. It is much less stressful too.”
“The allowance of agricultural "Land Use" assessment for working horse farms would be wonderful. Definitions need to include, "the boarding and training of horses". NCGS106-581.1 already includes in agriculture definitions "and training of livestock, including horses", 106-418.8 Livestock is defined as "cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses and mules." NCGS 105-277.2 "Agricultural Land-Land that is part of a farm unit that is actively engaged in the commercial production OR growing of crops plants or animals under a sound management program" & "Present Use Value- The value of land in it's current use as agricultural land, hoticulture land, or forrest land based soley on it's ability to produce income and assuming an average level of management. For US Treasury Definitions: Livestock is defined as cattle, hogs, horses, mules.... Land in farms-land that is used for crops, PASTURELAND or grazing..... All of these definitions conclude that horses are considered livestock by both the state and federal government with pasture and grazing land being considered agricultural land. NC is #8 in the nation in equibusiness. It's a wonderful way of life, and an important part of teaching responsibility to thousands of youth who are interested in horses. This business keeps the agricultural business alive with amny graduates going into the field, preservation through less taxation is key.”
“so informative, thanks to tell us.”
“I know it is an unpleasant subject and I am not aware of NC horse Council's position or if they even have one but the time has come to face the issue head on. Humane Horse Slaughter needs to return in the United States. If you love horses then end the sufferring. Yes many horses deserve rehabilitation, but for some that is not an option. As we head into winter it just tears me up to wonder how many horses are going to suffer with not enough to eat.”
“In addition to addressing the issue of the unwanted horse maybe as horse caretakers we should be addressing the issue of educating potential unwanted horse owners in training and caring for these horses. For first time horse owners an opportunity to have some knowledge and skills before commiting to such a big untaking might make a big difference in there attitude about adopting these horses.”
“I think we are blessed in NC with several wonderful trail systems. It seems that many organizations (Trailblazers, Back Country Horsemen, etc.)have figured out how best to keep trails open and how to work within public and private lands. Perhaps we could establish some sort of "best practices" workshop or forum with the intention of sharing what has worked well for those areas with successful systems. A multi use trails system like Dupont is an example where bikers, equestrians, forest officals and private parties have figured out how to work together. We are losing trails all over the country, so we need to be educated and cognizant of how to minimize our impact and give back to the landowners or public entities who afford us the opportunity to use their land. Thanks for asking the question and thanks for the leadership of the NC horse council. ”
“Hey Anne Carter, I have just been named Western Trails Committee Chair for the western half of the state.. We have a Consultant, Jim Hallsey who's helping us with trail issues. I am green as grass, so be gentle, but sounds like you have some great ideas for us to work on. Please contact me directly @ neverest@bellsouth.net & we can start a dialog. thanks Deirdre”
“I applaud the suggestion posted by Ann on Feb. 14,2010. I would like to know where to look for public lands in N.C. on which we can ride? I would love to see a directory developed for and by N.C. Horse Council members listing trail situations for all types of trail riding(from the likes of day riders with barefoot horses to overnight riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway). I am landlocked on my small farm by rural farmland neighbors who are afraid of the liability of just allowing me to traverse their property to access a tiny trail system nearby. (Something is better than nothing.) I would like to know how to approach them and offer assurance that I am respectful of their property and a written liability release that holds them harmless in the event of an accident. In order to give our horses "a break" from the arena, we have to load up and trailer to a friend's farm to get to ride in the open. Can't trails be developed near or beneath open electrical power lines and natural gas lines without presenting any risk to neighboring landowners? Can't horse trails be established along connecting greenways between towns in Mecklenburg county? What a perfect way for Parks & Recreation to offer an exceptional opportunity to serve the equine community. Why don't municipalities (like the city of Davidson)allow horses on portions and certain trails of public parks (like that of the Fisher Park property)? I have a long list of questions like these that I am hoping the NC Horse Council can and will address for me. ”
“I did see that the NCHC sponsored a trails school, but I think in a state with a large number of PHD's and a Vet school we need to be providing more educational opportunities for the equine community. I am not sure what role the NCHC can play in this but perhaps they could be a clearinghouse of information on who and what is being offered.”
“I love the idea of Regional Caucuses ... let's make the NCHC a true statewide organization!”
“It seems to me that the NCHC is working on a lot of different issues. We need to keep an eye on any legislation that impacts our being able to be considered livestock or farms. Thanks for the great work on the Building Code exemption!”
“Work on protecting our equestrian trails throughout the state. How many trails are in jeopardy? How many people don't have a place to ride near them? Perhaps survey people to find out where the "trouble" spots are.”

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

LATEST NEWS

NCHC is now on Facebook

The North Carolina Horse Council is now on Facebook! Check us out at www.facebook.com. Add your name to the growing list of friends and stay plugged in to the NC Horse Council.... more