04.25.12

Do you know of any horses that were injured or died as a result of the March 2012 tornadoes?

Posted in Equine Organizations, Kentucky Horse Council at 4:30 am by EPR

As you all know, the tornadoes that struck Kentucky and surrounding states in March of 2012 did a great deal of damage. The Kentucky Horse Council is collecting information on how many horses were injured or perished due to these tornadoes.

Please take a few moments to fill out our short survey if you personally knew of any horses that were injured or died as a result of the tornadoes. Please also help us by sharing this email with any other equine owners or equine organizations that would like to participate.

Here is the direct link to the survey:

http://www.kentuckyhorse.org/forms/42/Equine-Injury-Loss-Due-to-March-2012-Tornados/

Thank you for your help with this! We very much appreciate it!

Sincerely,

The Kentucky Horse Council

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL – The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, personal liability insurance, trail riding advocacy, horse show support, and an annual statewide equine industry directory. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.
Contact
Dawn Miller
Office Manager
info@kentuckyhorse.org

Kentucky Horse Council
www.kentuckyhorse.org
info@kentuckyhorse.org
Phone: (859) 367-0509

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03.05.12

KHC Offers Disaster Relief to Horse Owners Affected by Recent Tornadoes

Posted in Disaster Relief, Kentucky Horse Council at 11:16 pm by EPR

Lexington, KY, March 5, 2012 - The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) is providing coordination for the U.S. Equine Disaster Relief Fund to support horse owners affected by this past week’s tornadoes. KHC has experience responding to equine crises through this fund and the Save Our Horses (SoHo) Fund.

“In the past, we have supported many victims of flooding and disasters in other states, and now it is Kentucky which needs this support. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who have been affected by this tragedy. The U.S. Equine Disaster Relief Fund will help Kentucky horse owners with temporary feed and fencing as they work to recover from this disaster,” remarked Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council.

“We are also in touch with the Indiana Horse Council to determine the extent of the need there,” she continued.

The Kentucky Horse Council has been contacting officials in those areas most affected by the tornadoes, to assess the impact of the extensive tornado damage on horse owners.

“We are relieved that over the weekend, horse organizations such as the Northern Kentucky Horse Network have already relayed important information among horse owners regarding temporary shelter and how to assist those victims who have horses. Buffalo Mounted Patrol has traveled to West Liberty, where the devastation was incredible, to patrol damaged areas until rescue efforts could be fully mobilized,” commented Ginny Grulke, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Council.

When any state needs assistance due to a natural disaster, KHC notifies its members and the Kentucky horse community and begins the process of responding to the needs of the affected horses, typically by purchasing feed which the local response agencies then distributes to affected horses. For the tornadoes that hit this past weekend, it is Kentucky who needs the help.

Donations to the U.S. Disaster Relief Fund can be made at www.kentuckyhorse.org/disaster-relief/.

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02.07.12

KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL PLEDGES $25,000 TO THE KENTUCKY EQUINE SURVEY

Posted in Equine Organizations, Kentucky Horse Council at 10:57 pm by EPR

Lexington, KY, February 7, 2012 – The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) today announced that it has pledged $25,000 to the Kentucky Equine Survey.

In November 2011, the University of Kentucky announced the plans for the Kentucky Equine Survey, in partnership with the Kentucky Horse Council.   KHC was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Agriculture Development Funds for this survey, with a promise of another $100,000 in funds if the equine industry would match that $100,000 with an equal amount.

“This survey is of extreme importance to the future of our industry,” said Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council. “This will be the first comprehensive survey of Kentucky’s horses in 35 years. We need an accurate and detailed baseline to determine areas for industry growth.  Our pledge is a commitment to this effort. The KHC Board hopes other groups/businesses will respond to this challenge pledge.  All donations, no matter how large or small, are important steps toward this industry goal.”

Dr. Nancy Cox, Associate Dean in the UK College of Agriculture, said “On behalf of the Kentucky Equine Survey Team, led by UK Ag Equine Programs faculty, many thanks go to the Kentucky Horse Council for this generous expression of confidence in the importance of this survey to Kentucky and its horse owners. Our team considers this the only appropriate way to provide accurate information about the breadth and depth of equine economic activity in the Horse Capital of the World. KHC has shown how much a unified group of horse industry members can accomplish when they participate and invest in our equine community.”

“We appreciate the Kentucky Horse Council Board’s support and value the relationship UK and KHC have as we both work to benefit Kentucky’s horse industry”, added Dr. Ed Squires, University of Kentucky Equine Programs Director.

Ginny Grulke, Executive Director of the KY Horse Council, explained the source of the pledge funds.  “The Council is able to make this significant pledge by using some “rainy day” funds that the Council has saved over the years. We plan to replace these funds over the next four years.”

The National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) has been contracted to collect the names of horse owners in the state; both UK and KHC encourage horse owners to submit their information, which NASS does not reveal to any person or agency.  The deadline for sending names to NASS is February 17, 2012. To read about the survey or submit a name, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org/KES-names/.

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01.14.12

Kentucky Equine Survey

Posted in Kentucky Horse Council at 5:58 am by EPR

Urgent: Need Participation from KY Horsemen

Dear Kentucky Horsemen (and women):

For the first time in 35 years, Kentucky will do a full, statewide survey of ALL BREEDS AND DISCIPLINES OF HORSES, PONIES, MULES, and DONKEYS.  Getting accurate figures for our horse community is critical to developing plans to improve the industry, access more trails and equine facilities, assess equine business opportunities, and get public officials’ attention.

This survey is being done by the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, in partnership with the Kentucky Horse Council and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.  To read more about the study, go to http://www2.ca.uky.edu/equine/kyequinesurvey.

WE NEED YOUR PARTICIPATION.

Our deadline is February 17th, 2012. 

This survey can only be effective if we have a comprehensive list of horse owners and equine farms and facilities in the state.  This needs to include the many people in our state who keep horses for recreational purposes and do not have equine-related businesses.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Kentucky Field Office,  a Kentucky-based USDA unit which has responsibilities for surveying other livestock entities, will be handling the polling and survey mailing.   The questions for the survey have been developed by UK, UofL, and KHC.

We are requesting that you submit your name and contact information to NASS. Note that none of these names will ever be released to any other organization; not UK, not KHC, not any Kentucky agency.  NASS has a privacy policy for all of its activities which can be found here:  http://www.nass.usda.gov/About_NASS/Confidentiality_Pledge/index.asp.

We make this request because we believe so deeply in the need for this survey to be accurate and complete.  At the end of the survey, we will have good estimates on:

• How many horses of each breed are in each Kentucky county
• How many horses are used in each discipline in each Kentucky county
• The economic impact on Kentucky as a whole from the equine industry

To send your name to NASS for the survey, please fill in the form at this link: 

http://www.kentuckyhorse.org/KES-names/ 

Note: Even though this form is on the Kentucky Horse Council website, the information is sent ONLY to NASS.

Thank you.  The cooperation and participation of the equine industry is critical to the success of this study.  The study will be the basis for further activities to enhance horse ownership and the horse industry in Kentucky.

Sincerely,

художник на икониИкони на светци

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12.26.11

Kentucky Horse Council: I will pay for someone’s new membership!

Posted in Kentucky Horse Council, My Actions at 11:14 pm by Thomas

I want to take a moment here at the end of the year to ask you the readers to consider joining the Kentucky Horse Council if you are not already a member even if you do not own horses in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Now I know in these tough economic times many of you may not be in a position to spend money on anything but the necessities and I understand that all too well.  So I want to help somebody out who has a love of horses and wants to get involved but has other responsibilities that must be met first.

So for 2012 I want to pay it forward.  Send me an email with the subject “Pay It Forward” as to why horses are important to you and that someday in the future you will do the same for someone else and I will pay the 2012 membership fee for the individual who sends me the most compelling email.

I will make my decision January 29th.

Kentucky Colonel
Thomas Paul Demond
Thomas@KyWEGO.com
KyWEGO

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Kentucky Horse Council – 2012 Membership Information

Posted in Kentucky Horse Council at 8:27 pm by EPR

Quick Links

Join KHC Now!  About Us  Competition Education Health & Welfare KENA Legislative Trails Youth

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10.14.11

Kentucky Proud Horses – How to Register

Posted in Kentucky Horse Council, Kentucky Proud at 9:49 pm by EPR

There has been a lot of interest in the new Kentucky Proud for Horses
program.
The day of the announcement we added detailed info on how to apply to the Kentucky Horse Council website.  Here is that information, which is also found at http://www.kentuckyhorse.org/kentuckyproud/

Below are the steps you can follow to register your farm as Kentucky Proud:

1. Print out and fill out the Kentucky Proud Equine form. (link) This is a specially designed form just for equine farm applicants.

2. If you would also like to apply for a marketing grant through the Kentucky Proud program, also print and fill out the  Kentucky Proud Grant Application. (link) This form can also be found at http://www.kyproud.com/Members/index.htm. You may apply for a marketing grant at a later time as well.

3. Mail all forms to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.  They will verify your acceptance into the program and the status of your grant request.   Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Attn: Vicky Stucker
100 Fair Oaks Lane, 5th floor
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE KENTUCKY PROUD PROCESS
FROM THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

It generally takes 2-3 weeks to process a membership application. Any questions regarding membership should be directed to Ms Vicky Stucker at 502-564-4983 or vicky.stucker@ky.gov

As for the grant applications, those applications requesting less than $5,000 can be reviewed immediately. Those requesting more than $5,000 must be reviewed by the Kentucky Proud Executive Committee which meets once a month, generally the first Tuesday of each month. Any questions regarding the Kentucky Proud grant application should be directed to Mr. Bill Clary at bill.clary@ky.gov or 502-564-1137.

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10.06.11

BREAKING NEWS… Horses Added to Kentucky Proud Program

Posted in Kentucky Horse Council, Kentucky Proud at 2:47 pm by EPR

Lexington, KY (October 6, 2011) — The Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), and the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) announced today that horses have been added to the Kentucky Proud program. As new members of Kentucky Proud, horse farms in the Commonwealth will be eligible to receive financial grants from the state Department of Agriculture, will be eligible to participate in a cost-share program, and will be able to use the Kentucky Proud logo in advertising their equine products.

The Kentucky Proud program was created to promote Kentucky-agricultural products.  Over the years, the program has grown significantly and now includes businesses that support and sell Kentucky products as well as those that promote the concept of buying agricultural products from Kentucky.

“Both KEEP and KHC have worked for years to promote Kentucky’s equine industry,” said Patrick Neely, KEEP Executive Director. “The addition of horses to the Kentucky Proud program will allow Kentucky horse farms to apply for grants and to grow their businesses by joining the well-known Kentucky Proud advertising and marketing initiatives.  We appreciate that the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has taken this important step to assist our signature industry and the thousands of jobs it creates.”

Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council Board, added: “The Kentucky Horse Council is glad to partner with KEEP on this important new program.  Two years ago my predecessor, Madelyn Millard,, initiated the idea by approaching KDA regarding a Kentucky Proud for Horses. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s interest in adding horses to this highly successful agricultural program enhances our farms’ abilities to market their horses nationally and internationally.”

Individually, farms should contact KEEP or the Kentucky Horse Council for applications and more information on the Kentucky Proud program.  Forms may also be found on the Kentucky Horse Council website at www.kentuckyhorse.org/kentuckyproud/. Once approved, farms will have access to all the services and support that the Kentucky Department of Agriculture gives to members of that program, including marketing assistance and product promotion, as well as participation in a cost-share program.  “In working with KEEP and KHC to add horses to the program, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is expanding its support for Kentucky farmers,” commented Richie Farmer, Commissioner of Agriculture.  “Kentucky is known for its equine industry.  We are excited to have these producers add their horses to our list of Kentucky Proud products.”

Formed in 1972, The Kentucky Horse Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community.   For more information on KHC, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org, email info@kentuckyhorse.org or call 859-367-0509.

KEEP was formed in May 2004 to promote and protect Kentucky’s horse industry. For more information on KEEP, visit  www.horseswork.com, email info@horseswork.com or call 859-259-0007.

To learn more about being a part of Kentucky Proud program, contact Cara Stewart with KEEP (cstewart@horseswork.com) or Ginny Grulke with KHC (director@kentuckyhorse.org).

For Kentucky Proud Equine forms, you may visit the Kentucky Horse Council site at www.kentuckyhorse.org/kentuckyproud/

Kentucky Proud is the official farm marketing program of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Kentucky Proud generated more than $200 million in retail sales of Kentucky farm products just through member retailers in 2010. More than 2,800 farmers, processors, retailers, restaurants, school districts, farmers’ markets, Kentucky state parks, and Kentucky Farm Bureau roadside markets are members of Kentucky Proud. For more information about Kentucky Proud, contact Bill Clary, Kentucky Proud program manager, at 502-564-1137 or bill.clary@ky.gov.

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09.24.11

KHC Equine Industry Planning Session

Posted in Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen, Kentucky Bred, Kentucky Horse Council, Kentucky Proud at 11:13 pm by Thomas

I had the great opportunity to be a part of the Kentucky Horse Council Equine Industry Planning Session today at the Fayette County Extension Office.    This was scheduled as an all day event starting at 8 AM so it was wonderful to see a solid group of close to 50 participants.  This was a varied group across all areas of the horse industry from Thoroughbred breeders and members of several Equine Departments of our major Universities and Colleges to small local organizations like myself representing the Fort Harrod Back Country Horsemen.

The facilitator was Colonel Walter Herd (Retired U.S. Army) who is also on the KHC Board.  He did an excellent job and was very engaging which set a very positive tone for the day.  The primary topics of discussion were coming up with ideas to bring Kentucky closer to that idea of a “haven for horses” that we all dream of by developing the “culture of the horse in Kentucky”.  Ultimately in simple terms, we are the Horse Capital of the World, which is derived from the impact of the Thoroughbred Horse, how do we expand that definition to be all inclusive of everything Equine in the State or at least that was my take.

I am not going to go into all the details because there was lots of great discussions and ideas.  One tidbit I will report on, we did hear from a member of KEEP that the Kentucky Proud Program was being expanded to include horses and that specific program would be called Kentucky Bred.

At the end of the day we voted on all of these and the KHC is going to digest those results and come up with an action list to start working on in November when they are planning on scheduling the next set of meetings.  I will report on what comes out of those meetings as we get more concrete objectives to act on.

Kentucky Colonel
Thomas Demond
KyWEGO®

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10.02.08

Kentucky Horse Park 2008 Media Day

Posted in 2010 Games, Kentucky, Kentucky Horse Council, Kentucky Horse Park, Media Day, United States Dressage Federation at 10:47 pm by Thomas

The Kentucky Horse Park hosted the 3rd Annual Kentucky Horse Park and National Horse Center Media Day.  For anyone in the media this is a great learning experience on all that is the Kentucky Horse Park no matter if you are in Equine media or not and I highly recommend it.  The day started out with a number of breed and discipline demonstrations in the covered arena. 

Patricia (PJ) Cooksey discussed (from horseback) the many aspects of the Kentucky Racing Commission and the changes that have been implemented this year.  She was well received and answered a number of good questions.  Dr. Nathan Slovis gave an in-depth demonstration of the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Equine Ambulance with audience participation.

It was then on to the Club Lounge for lunch with John Nicholson in which he presented his vision of unity throughout the horse industry that the Kentucky Horse Park is facilitating by currently being the headquarters of 33 Equine Organizations both big and small.  He pointed out that for every employee the Horse Park employees the private organizations there employ 3.  He also pointed out that the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will be viewed by some 500 Million people around the world and that for many of them this will be their first discovery of Kentucky. 

John’s passion for the Kentucky Horse Park is always palpable and he summed up the role of the Kentucky Horse Park by saying he expects people to come to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 and fall in love with Kentucky and that some of those people will then move their business’ to Kentucky.  There is no question that I agree with that sentiment and that these Games are the most significant thing to happen to Kentucky since the birth of Abraham Lincoln.

After lunch we received very nice Gift bags provided by the United States Dressage Foundation that had all kinds of cool stuff in them.  We then loaded onto a motorcoach sponsored by Kentucky Horse Council for a tour of the park and the ongoing construction of the new park facilities.  Currently the Horse Park is booked for 3 years into the futures and there is an event going on at the Horse Park every weekend but 2.  Nina Bonnie Blvd, the main East-Main thoroughfair through the Horse Park is going to be widened and will be the main pedestrian thoroughfair for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010. 

We saw the new indoor arena which is well underway and scheduled to be in use by June 2009 with shows allready booked for it next summer.  The arena will have seating for 7,000 with 40,000 sq ft of exhibitor space and will host the Reining and Vaulting for the Games.  We then moved on to the TRF-Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center which works to re-school racehorses and find them new homes.  Susanna M. Thomas is the Director of the Center and is a wonderful great advocate for this wonderful endeavor.  As she put it, “Every Horse has a Story”.  Our next stop was the new facilitiy under construction for the Central Kentucky Riding for Hope.  Pat Cline provided us with all the good work the CKRH does and that part of the reason for their great success was the 280 active volunteers they had last year.  As always I will say, here is another great cause for those of you looking to volunteer.

To finish up the day we headed over to the Combined Driving Event that is going on at the Horse Park through the weekend.  On our way we past the location for the new Outdoor Stadium which is starting to take shape and is on schedule to be completed next year.  It will have permanent seating for 7,500 and be expandable to hold 27,500 for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

I want to give a special thanks to Lisa Jackson who was a gracious host and provided a number of us rides to different area’s of the park at the end of the day.  I also want to thank the sponsors which allow the Kentucky Horse Park to put on this event for no charge to the Media, I for one am greatly appreciate for this opportunity.  I look forward to seeing everyone out there again next year.

Thomas

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