NC Horse Council

Strategic Plan

1. Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and promotion program for the equine community.


2. Expand and strengthen the equine industry’s legislative presence.


3. Promote the North Carolina Horse Council through communication with and involvement of all equestrian enthusiasts


4. Enhance and increase educational programs.


5. Improve the business and regulatory environment for the equine industry.


6. Manage and maintain a statewide program to promote trail riding and trail access.


7. Operate the organization by having a strong fiscal plan.

GOAL 1: Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and promotion program for the horse community.

Recommendation 1: Develop a marketing campaign to increase awareness of the N.C. Equine Industry.

Action 1: Conduct NCHC sponsored equine activities in each region

Action 2: Develop and improve distribution of NCHC promotional items

Action 3: Expand website

Action 4: Work with the NC Department of Agriculture to develop an equine directory.

Action 5: Develop visual materials promoting the N.C. horse industry and activities.

Action 6: Investigate incentive programs from other states and horse breed associations for potential application to our marketing program.

Action 7: Investigate the possibility of conducting a statewide equine survey

Recommendation 2: Work at strengthening the partnership of the NCDA&CS with NCHC.

Action 1:
Improve understanding of each others needs by holding regular meetings with the equine specialists and NCHC representatives

Action 2:
Meet and develop action plan with NCDA&CS Horse Specialist

Action 3:
Develop methods to improve the state’s horse facilities

Action 4:
Facilitate closer communication with the horse owners and NCDA&CS concerning horse health regulations via printed materials, announcements and articles published for general distribution.

Recommendation 3: Raise the profile of the N.C. Equine Community through coordination with other state agencies and departments.

Action 1: Issue formal press releases on a regular basis

Action 2: Develop and fund print advertising including paid ads in magazines, equine publications, etc.

Action 3: Assign a Board member to develop a relationship with N.C. Department of Travel and Tourism

Action 4: Encourage NCHC members to actively represent NCHC on appropriate local/regional/state boards.

Action 5: Continue relationship with the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DNER) via regular meetings between agents of both agencies

Recommendation 4: Establish a membership development plan

GOAL 2: Expand and strengthen our legislative presence.

Recommendation 1: Identify pertinent legislative issues facing the horse industry

Action 1:The Executive Director and members of the NCHC will gather input and concerns regarding issues of horse owners at the grassroots level by attending local/regional meetings of identified equestrian organizations.

Action 2:Notify Horse Council members and organizations to contact legislators regarding legal issues when appropriate

Recommendation 2: Continue to build relationship between NCHC and legislators.

Action 1: Involve legislators in NCHC events and activities

Action 2: Develop and distribute a legislative fact sheet

Action 3: Consistently monitor legislative activities

Action 4:Continue development of politically connected Horse Council members

Action 5: Build relationships with sister commodity groups and cooperative councils, (example: NC Cattleman’s Association, NC Farm Bureau)

Recommendation 3: Promote relevant legislation and work at the federal level

Action 1: Educate the NCHC board members on the legislative process by conducting advocacy training workshops

Action 2: Monitor the recommendations of the American Horse Council regarding federal legislation by posting a legislative update column in the newsletter and on the NCHC web site.

GOAL 3: Promote the North Carolina Horse Council through communication with and involvement of all equine enthusiasts

Recommendation 1: Effectively communicate with all equine enthusiasts by promoting a consistent message which describes the work of the NCHC

Action 1: Regional Vice-Presidents will meet with organizations within their regions on a regular basis.

Action 2: Regional Vice-Presidents will identify all horse organizations, and their contacts and priorities annually within their respective regions.

Action 3: Regional Vice-Presidents will encourage membership and volunteers to become active in their local communities and NCHC activities.


GOAL 4: Enhance and increase educational and research programs.

Recommendation 1: Create new and continue existing educational program for horse owners and enthusiasts.

Action 1: Expand educational opportunities at equine expos and trade shows in NC

Action 2: Fund 4-H, Youth and Adult Extension Education

Action 3: Explore the development of a NCHC youth scholarship program via the creation of an Educational Endowment Fund.

Action 4: Address equine-related safety issues for horses and people

Recommendation 2: Address Equine Welfare Needs.

Action 1: Enhance relationships with Equine Welfare organizations such as the NC Animal Control Association via participation in their meetings and conferences

Action 2: Assist in recovery of stolen horses and tack via web notices

Action 3: Ensure representation of the horse community on CART/SART (County Animal Response Team / State Animal Response Team)

Action 4: Monitor, evaluate and educate on horse identification program via articles in the newsletter, flyer and web postings.

Action 5: Increase the promotion of and expand Horse Health Awareness Month to horse owners and Veterinarians by actively promoting the month long events in the newsletter, flyer and other venues.

Recommendation 3: Support and continue to expand the REINS program.

Action 1: Support REINS certification of new volunteers by providing supportive materials to all volunteers.

Action 2: Promote district agent positions to the legislature for funding

Action 3: Increase awareness in local communities of CART/SART available through REINS volunteers.

Recommendation 4: Support equine-related research.

Action 1: Foster the development of allies in equine research via joint publications linking research finding to the field.

Action 2: Develop and distribute brochures, articles and press releases related to research issues

GOAL 5: Improve the business and regulatory environment for the Equine Industry.

Recommendation 1: Develop a closer working relationship with state and local agricultural businesses and organizations.

Action 1: Increase NCHC representation on Boards and Councils (for example: DENR Environmental, Parks & Recreation, NCDA&CS)

Action 2: Monitor progress and determine the role of the NCHC in the Equine Legislative Study Committee by contacting individual committee members.

Action 3: Address and educate equine enthusiasts on Regulatory and Tax Issues

Action 4: Encourage member participation on County Advisory Boards

Action 5: Identify and contact individual county water managers responsible for water quality regulation and discuss important equine related water management issues

Action 6: Coordinate with other agri-business organizations about common regulatory issues and partner with them on issues of concern.

Recommendation 2: Evaluate and prioritize regulatory issues affecting the equine industry.

Action 1: Proactively monitor the development of regulations and identify the priority issues for the NCHC membership via publication in the newsletter and on the web.

GOAL 6: Manage and maintain a statewide program to promote trail riding and trail access.

Action 1: Expand the east and west trails committee by establishing partnerships with existing regional equine organizations or people.

Action 2: Build statewide awareness about trail access issues and stewardship by conducting trail workshops, producing printed materials, or other promotional items.

Action 3: Increase public and private trail miles in North Carolina by working with local and regional organizations to identify/acquire land and potential trails.

Action 4: Host educational trail ride or conference annually.

GOAL 7: Operate the organization by practicing strong fiscal planning and accountability.

Recommendation 1: Monitor and track referendum funds

Action 1. Update the list of dealers annually.

Action 2. Communicate annually with all dealers via letter or email to enlist their compliance

Action 3. Communicate quarterly with the NCDA regarding dealer compliance and collection issues.

Recommendation 2: Establish written financial office procedures

Action 1: Provide reports and financial statements monthly to the Executive Committee

Action 2: Develop annual budget and complete an annual audit or financial review.

Recommendation 2: Develop an annual grants program.

Action 1: Activate grants committee with monthly report to the Executive Committee and Board.

Action 2: Develop and publish a granting cycle calendar and specific guidelines for application