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While there are several surveys conducted in the equine industry, the American Horse Council’s (AHC) National Economic Impact Study is the most comprehensive and widely used study of the industry’s contributions to GDP including employment, volunteers, equid population, acreage, etc. broken by sectors (Recreation, Racing, Competitions, and Working Horses).
An economic impact study is a critical tool to create an awareness of and an interest in the equine industry; provide positive relationships, including congressional and media relations; identifying the industry as a player in the local, state & national economy and allowing the industry to advertise itself by first identifying its contributions. There are roughly two million horse owners in the United States, and we need your help reaching as many of them as possible to get the most robust picture as we can of the industry’s contributions. To encourage participation, the AHC has partnered with several sponsors to offer 15 incentive prizes, including:
In addition, all participants completing the survey will be eligible for 15% discount on purchases at horseandriderbooks.com (discount code is provided at the end of the survey). Prize winners will be announced in the fall 2023 when the study results are announced. See AHC website to review all the prize drawing rules. (Economic Impact Study - American Horse Council) We would like to emphasis that this is first, and foremost, a national study, however there are several states/communities that have commissioned breakout reports including California, Florida, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and Texas for state studies, along with Marion County, Florida and Long Island, New York for community studies. New this year is a specialty report focusing on Standardbreds, sponsored by the United States Trotting Association. Thank you for participating and sharing this survey with all your horse owning friends! The survey will be available from April 3, 2023, through September 29, 2023. Please click on the following links; Horse Owner Survey Horse Industry Supplier Survey Niki JonesHi, my name is Niki Jones. As a mother of four wonderful children and a proud owner of a horse farm in Pinckney Michigan, I'm confident I would be an asset to the Board of the Michigan Horse Council. I am interested in applying for the Board position that is available. For the past three years, my daughter and I have volunteered for the Michigan Horse Council activities including outreach to recruit participants and shared information regarding the Top Trail ride challenge. I am very active in trail riding activities. I'm also involved with Pinckney Trail Riders Association and have been on their board for the last twelve years, formally as a board member for three years, and more recently as their delegate. I've been involved with additional horse groups such as Brighton trail riders, Proud Lake and Kensington trail groups. I've been around horses my whole life and currently have 5 horses of our own. Currently, we own a horse boarding business, Carousel Horse Farm, that we just recently started up. I am very active in my children’s Four H club, Happy Hustlers and have recently taken on the responsibility of becoming their horse leader. My entire life I have dedicated myself to horses and trail riding benefits. Please consider me for this position so I can bring more ideas to the table. Renee EvoyI feel that I am qualified for this position due to the length of time I have been involved in the horse industry in Michigan. I have also been a member of the MHC for 2 years, active for the year 2022 and 2023 and wish to become more involved in the MHC influencing the Michigan Equine industry. As a kid I was actively involved in 4-H on a state level and trained reining horses as a young adult. I was a head wrangler on a dude ranch in Colorado during my summers while I attended college. I have volunteered as a horse walker for two therapeutic riding centers throughout the years. About 5 years ago I began my own business training horses and a lesson program for beginner children. I am an active trail rider, participating in many events and rides throughout Michigan during the summer. I think I would be an asset to the MHC, supporting their mission and the equine industry in Michigan. Kallie MeyersI am completing my first term as Director for the Michigan Horse Council and chair the Legislative, Government and Land Use Committee. I am a Master Citizen Planner and expert in Government Operations, Zoning, Planning and Land Use and expert in the Right to Farm Act and the Open Meetings Act. This enables me to assist our House Council members in issues related to zoning, planning and communicating with their governmental entity and to be an effective advocate for legislation and policies that promote and protect the equine industry. I am currently a sworn Special Deputy for the Sheriff’s Office serving on the Mounted Unit and am blessed to ride a beautiful Friesian/Percheron cross named Thor. I am also a proud member of the Michigan Multi Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team and Color Guard and have had the honor of participating in numerous Presidential Inaugurations and the Presentation of Colors and Tribute to our fallen officers at the Horse Council Expo. I am an icisf Crisis Intervention Specialist and ADLS Certified National Disaster Responder specializing in Emergency Management, Threat Assessment and Prevention, Verbal Diffusion, Crisis Intervention and mitigation of trauma impacts after mass-casualty disasters at the Local, State and Federal level. Brittany BennettWith an entrepreneurial spirit, Brittany Bennett is an author, trained Peacemaker specializing in cross-cultural communications, and Human Rights and Disability Rights Consultant. She is starting her mediation practice for family, civil and equine industry disputes. Included will be a non-profit subsidiary focused on healing for families who have experienced early childhood sexual abuse and trauma. The owner of Equinekids, LLC, the parent company for her book series, Foal and Friends, is a catalyst for horse advocacy. Through collaborative efforts of equine organizations spanning ten countries and eight languages, they raise awareness of all horse breeds, focusing on those on the endangered watch lists. She has been recognized for her efforts at home and internationally by the Livestock Conservancy, US, and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, UK. An inspiration for her non-profit's Wellness Training program and Bill's proposal came from witnessing everyday miracles in the horse-human connection as a volunteer with Renew Therapeutic Riding Center. Together, they are championing a Bill that would include specific "Equine Assisted Therapies" to be covered by Medicaid.
Brittany holds a degree in Health Communications from Grand Valley State University and a Dual Masters in Legal Studies and Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and the Straus Institute. She brings a diverse background from pharmaceutical sales, insurance agency-co-owner and Wellness Coaching. Brittany has been an active member of the Michigan Horse Council since 2020. She has volunteered in the youth area at the Michigan Horse Expo, Youth Legislative Day, Equine Legislative Day, and Coffee Hours. Brittany is actively recruiting equine-assisted riding facilities, therapists, and families to share their experiences to help raise awareness about the positive impact horses have on the lives of patients and their families. She is also working with Julie Fershtman, Equine Attorney, to amend the Stablemen's Lien Law. Their efforts would be to reduce the amount of time a border can go without payment and facilities to be compensated. PRESS RELEASE
December 29, 2022 CONTACT INFORMATION: Michigan Horse Council Mr. Sasha Glover – Communications Director Phone: 517-920-0136 Email: [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Michigan Horse Council to Celebrate 50th Anniversary in 2023 The Michigan Horse Council (MHC) will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2023. Founded in 1973 with the mission to “Promote and Protect the Horse Industry”, the Michigan Horse Council has been doing just that through a variety of events, legislative actions, and financial investments into Michigan equine organizations. “As we approach the Golden Anniversary of the Michigan Horse Council, let us celebrate the health and strength of this organization. Only the Horse could lead such a diverse and dedicated group of humans for over 5 decades” said current Michigan Horse Council President, Inger Lanese. Since 1973 the Michigan Horse Council has built a wide variety of events that advocate, positively impact, and engage individuals to participate in the equine industry. Some of these events include Equine Legislative Day, Michigan Horse Expo, Statewide Trail Ride, and monthly Virtual Equine Coffee Hours. Most recently, Michigan Horse Council partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to help execute the first Michigan Shoreline Ride. The Michigan Horse Council has also been very active on the legislative front to ensure that the Michigan equine industry is supported and protected by state, regional, and national leaders. Financial support of the Michigan equine industry is another vital part to the Council’s success over these 50 years. Since 2017 Michigan Horse Council has awarded $29,000 in scholarships, $20,086 in education and youth development, $7,089 to various associations and partner groups, $7,750.00 to Michigan trails, and $24,620 to promote the Michigan horse industry to Michigan legislators. “What a pleasure to see how this organization has progressed, the Michigan Horse Expo, the support to all organizations, and the fiercely loyal professionals that lead this organization” said Past President and 50th Anniversary Chair, Colonel Don Packard. This committee is also being chaired by Past President, Mike Foote. At the 2023 Michigan Horse Expo being hosted on March 10-12 at the Michigan State University Livestock Pavilion is where the Michigan Horse Expo will host many of its celebrations to commemorate this golden anniversary. Not only will the 2023 Michigan Horse Expo celebrate the Council’s 50th anniversary, it also marks the 40th Anniversary of the Michigan Horse Expo. # # # Rules and Tips for Shoreline Rides
Please text TROT to 80888 to sign up to be notified from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources of opportunities. If you have previously signed up notifications through TROT to 80888, are still in the DNR notification system.
The MDNR has asked for a Michigan Shoreline Horse Friends volunteer group to be formed to help sustain these opportunities with Parking Lot Directors/Greeters/Hay and Manure Maintenance and ORV Dune Route Manure Maintenance. The Michigan Horse Council is providing a utility vehicle for Dune Route manure maintenance. We will be organizing a volunteer sign through Sign-Up Genius, so please consider which dates you may be able to volunteer. If you are traveling with family or a friend, you should be able to volunteer on the same dates as you ride as long as your horses are not left unattended. Please watch for a future email with those volunteer opportunities. Please join the Michigan Shoreline Horse Friends Facebook page to be informed of the most current information. Invite your friends also! https://www.facebook.com/groups/michiganshorelinehorsefriends/ Silver Lake State Park Lake Michigan Shoreline Horseback Riding Details: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/horseback-riding/shoreline-riding Participants must bring their own horses. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) will offer Daily Parking Reservations $10.00 /participant for 100 participants per day in the Silver Lake State Park ORV Parking Lot in Mears, Michigan. The MDNR is working on a reservation system hopefully to be ready Thursday, September 1st at 8:00a.m. to accept reservations for November SLSP Lake Michigan shoreline horseback riding. https://midnrreservations.com/ Participants and Volunteers must have a Michigan Recreation Passport on their vehicles. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp Participants will be allowed to traverse the most direct dune route across the SLSP ORV Dunes starting at the ORV Dune Exit Ramp, 1.1 miles of ORV Dune Route, to approximately three miles of SLSP Lake Michigan shoreline, and return the same ORV Dune Route. See map. Participants are required to pick up their own hay and horse manure in the ORV Parking Lot and dispose in the Manure Collection Trailer or take back home in their own horse trailer. Please bring your own manure fork and muck bucket. The SLSP ORV Dune Route manure maintenance will be maintained by the Michigan Shoreline Horse Friends volunteer group at the end of the day with the use of a utility vehicle and disposed in the Manure Collection Trailer in the ORV Parking Lot. Please bring water for both you and your horses. Due to winterization, there will be no water available on site. There will be vault toilets available in the SLSP ORV Parking Lot and along the ORV Dune Route. THANK YOU for helping launch and sustain these fabulous opportunities for horseback riders!! We appreciate YOU and YOUR COOPERATION!!  PRESS RELEASE
April 17, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Michigan Horse Council Elects New Directors and Officers at 2022 Annual Meeting At the 2022 Michigan Horse Council Annual Meeting hosted at the MSU Pavilion on April 12th the organizational members voted to approve the following additions of board members which included Penny Wilson, Julie Vruggink, and Trevor Walton. Additionally, the Michigan Horse Council Board of Directors voted to elect Julie Vruggink as Vice President for the upcoming year. For the upcoming year Inger Lenese will serve as President, Bruce Deur as President Elect, and Julie Vruggink at Vice President. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer had no nominations, so the Council Board of Directors motioned to appoint Director and Communication Chair, Sasha Glover, to act as interim Secretary until the May 2022 meeting. Term-limited Treasurer, Sue Armstrong, will hold the position until the May 2022 meeting. Nominations for the offices of Secretary and Treasurer will be accepted/voted upon May 3, 2022, during the Board Member Meeting (7:00pm via Zoom). The mission of the Michigan Horse Council is to provide individuals and organizations with a central authority that will support, encourage, supplement, and coordinate the efforts of those presently engaged in the constructive conservation, development, and promotion of the horse industry and horse community in the state of Michigan along with educate and inform individuals and organizations through all available media, educational programs, cooperation, and advocate the conservation and promotion of the horse industry and community. ### This is a special event challenge for the Michigan Horse Council’s eligible members. All GPS recorded ride tracks ridden and posted to your Top Trail account from April 15 – August 31 will be included on the challenge leaderboard. How far will you ride this summer? Join the special Facebook group “The Michigan Horse Council’s Statewide Trail Ride Challenge” for announcements, motivation, encouragement, and assistance. Group Rules:
If you are already a Top Trail member:
If you are NOT already a Top Trail member, you will need to join:
 Join the Michigan Horse Council and equine trail enthusiasts for the 2022 Statewide Trail Ride weekend! This event will be hosted at the beautiful D Bar D Ranch where camping accommodations can be made along with access to various trails that can be ridden at your own pace or with groups! If you are not camping hotel accommodations can be made with Holiday Inn: 1005 Perry Ave. Big Rapids, MI and mention the Michigan Horse Council.
 The Michigan Horse Council is excited to host their annual meeting on April 12 beginning at 7:00PM! The annual meeting will be hosted at the MSU Pavilion with refreshments being provided by Brighton Trail Riders. We ask that all attendees register so that we can get an accurate membership count along with ensuring we accommodate seating at the facility. The Michigan Harness Horsemen Association (MHHA) is Michigan’s only recognized standardbred horsemen organization; active since 1947, the MHHA serves to support and protect Michigan’s standardbred owners, breeders, trainers and drivers. Our organization serves a wide variety of functions to ensure the financial interests of Michigan’s standardbred industry. We supply horses to Michigan’s remaining parimutuel racetrack, Northville Downs and 11 country fairs throughout the state during the summer stakes season. We represent the Standardbred industry with state administrative, budgetary and legislative matters of concern regarding the horse racing industry and actively seek change when needed to ensure policies promote live racing opportunities for our horsemen.
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