- Secured a one year extension of 3-year-depreciation for all race horses retroactive to January 1, 2014. From 2009 to 2013, race horses could be depreciated over three years, regardless of when they were placed into service. That change, which eliminated the 7-year-depreciation period for race horses and made all race horses eligible for three-year depreciation, expired at the end of 2013. The extenstion ran through December 31, 2014
- Helped achieve a one year extension (to December 31, 2014) of several tax provisions favorable to horse owners, breeders, and equine businesses that expired or were reduced at the end of 2013. These provisions included restoration of the Section 179 business deduction to $500,000 and restoration of 50% bonus depreciation for qualifying new property, including assets used in the horse business, such as horses and other equipment, purchased and placed into service through 2014. Also restored for one year was a favorable tax treatment for land donated for conservation purposes by farmers and ranchers.
- Successfully achieved passage of the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act (S. 1171/H.R. 1528). The bill clarifies that veterinarians are allowed to transport, administer and dispense controlled substances and medications outside of their registered offices and hospitals. It ensures equine veterinarians continue to have the ability to provide mobile or ambulatory services in the field to the horse community.
- Helped draft and achieve introduction of the National Forest Service Trail Stewardship Act of 2014 (H.R. 4886). The bill would direct the Forest Service to take several actions to address the current trail maintenance backlog that is adversley impacting all trail users on many national forests, including equestrians.
- Successfully supported re-authorization of the Market Access Program (MAP) until 2018. MAP provides funding for overseas marketing and promotional activites to help build commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products and commodities. The program is used by the horse industry to promote American horses to foreign markets.
- Successfully supported re-authorization of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to help agricultural producers implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns. Horse farms and ranches are eligible for this program.
- Held the first “100 Day Horse Challenge” as part of the AHC’s Time to Ride initiative that seeks to increase awareness of, and interest in, horse-related activities. Hundreds of stables, organizations and businesses participated in the “100 Day Horse Challenge” by hosting events that attracted over 25,000 newcomers to horse activities.
- Submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal, Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) opposing the proposed removal of Saudi Arabia from the list of African Horse Sickness (AHS) affected countries.
- Continued to advance the National Equine Health Plan to ensure the horse industry, as well as, federal, state and local governments are prepared for and able to respond efficiently to contagious equine disease outbreaks.
- Continued to gain support for the AHC Welfare Code of Practice. The code of practice is a broad set of principles designed to establish good welfare procedures for organizations to follow to “Put the Horse First,” and has been endorsed by 48 horse organizations.
The American Horse Council is a Guidestar Silver Participant
The AHC believes that the more opportunities available to use horses in various activities, the better the overall health of the industry and those who participate.
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General Phone: 202.296.4031
E-Mail: info@horsecouncil.org