New & Improved Horse Microchip Look Up Website

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New & Improved Horse Microchip Look Up Website

 

Microchips are extremely important for keeping your horses safe. Many animals reunite with their owner’s thanks to their chips. A microchip is a great way to guarantee the identity and facilitate fair competition. The American Horse Council and AHC Foundation are happy to support this through two different programs. First, thanks to the great support of our member Equine MicrochipID, the AHC offers free microchips to horse owners. Second, the AHC is proud to debut our updated horse-specific microchip lookup tool, a website helping owners, competitors, rescuers and law enforcement correctly identify horses.

 

The microchip is the first part, but your horse’s microchip number is only half of the journey. The second part requires that number being registered with a manufacturer registry and/or your breed/competition organization. If you know the horse’s specific microchip ID number, you can contact the registry and make sure your info in their database is current.

 

If you don’t know the registry, but you have the microchip ID number, you can use it to search the American Horse Council’s microchip lookup tool. This can provide you with the name of the manufacturer so you can contact them. We just completed a new update to the search tool and are providing the most comprehensive information available for microchipped horses in the United States.

 

The tool, https://www.horsemicrochiplookup.com/, is a great chance for you to look up who your horse is registered with, and update that information as needed. It also contains the link you need to sign up for free microchips. Please contact the American Horse Council for more information about microchipping your horse.

 

 

About the American Horse Council
As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media, and the industry on behalf of all horse-related interests each and every day.

The US equine industry contributes $122B in total value added to the US economy annually and employs 1.7M people. In total 30.5% of 38M US households contain a horse enthusiast.

American Horse Council publishes National Trails Directory & Guide

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American Horse Council publishes National Trails Directory & Guide

 

Contact: info@horsecouncil.org

 

September 30, 2022 Washington DC. The American Horse Council’s Recreation, Trails, and Land Use Committee (RT&LU) is pleased to announce a new resource guide and national trails directory. The materials and links to state-by-state trails directories are available at National Trails Directory – American Horse Council. The directory was compiled by intern Jay Harris of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.

 

AHC President, Julie Broadway stated “We hope this comprehensive guide with links to all things trail-related will be a valuable asset to our recreational trail riding community. Through the pandemic, equestrians turned to trails to commune with nature and enjoy their horses. We felt this directory would be helpful in identifying and discovering new adventures outdoors.”

 

RT&LU Chair, Randy Rasmussen added “Many thanks to Jay for all his hard work and research on this project. And thanks to all those that contributed including Back Country Horsemen of America, Equine Land Conservation Resource along with many state horse councils. We would also be remiss if we didn’t think Jean Ligon, former RT&LU Chair who suggested this project”

 

To learn more about the American Horse Council, visit www.horsecouncil.org

 

About the American Horse Council

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media, and the industry on behalf of all horse-related interests each and every day.

August 15th is National “Check the Chip” Day!

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It’s National “Check the Chip” Day!

 

August 15, 2022 (Washington, DC) – Today is National “Check The Chip” Day — a day to check on your horses’ microchips and make sure they’re registered and that information is up to date.

 

Microchips are extremely important for keeping your horses safe. Many animals reunite with their owner’s thanks to their chips.   A microchip is a great way to guarantee the identity of a horse and facilitate fair competition. The American Horse Council and AHC Foundation are happy to support this through two different programs. First, thanks to the great support of our member Equine MicrochipID, the AHC offers free microchips to horse owners. Second, the AHC is proud to debut our updated horse-specific microchip lookup tool, a website helping owners, competitors, rescuers, and law enforcement correctly identify horses.

 

The microchip is the first part, but your horse’s microchip number is only half of the journey. The second part requires that the microchip number is registered with a manufacturer registry and/or your breed/competition organization. If you know the horse’s specific microchip ID number, you can contact the registry and make sure your info in their database is current.

 

If you don’t know the registry, but you have the microchip ID number, you can use it to search the American Horse Council’s microchip lookup tool. This can provide you with the name of the manufacturer so you can contact them. We just completed a new update to the search tool and are providing the most comprehensive information available for microchipped horses in the United States.

 

The tool, https://www.horsemicrochiplookup.com/, is a great chance for you to look up who your horse is registered with, and update that information as needed. It also contains the link you need to sign up for free microchips. Please contact the American Horse Council for more information about microchipping your horse.

 

 

About the American Horse Council
As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media, and the industry on behalf of all horse-related interests each and every day.

The US equine industry contributes $122B in total value added to the US economy annually and employs 1.7M people. In total 30.5% of 38M US households contain a horse enthusiast.

 

AHC announces August 22, 2022, Webinar Top 10 things the equine community needs to know about equine liability laws

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Contact: Julie Broadway
American Horse Council

Phone: 202-296-4031
Email: jbroadway@horsecouncil.org

For Immediate Release

AHC announces August 22, 2022, Webinar

Top 10 things the equine community needs to know about equine liability laws

(Washington, D.C., August 1, 2022): Join the American Horse Council on Monday, August 22 at 1:00 PM ET to hear an in-depth presentation and discussion that no horse owner should miss on equine liability laws.

 

Attorney Julie I. Fershtman of FosterSwift PC will speak about equine liability laws and address risk management, including waivers/releases.  Fershtman is the author of Equine Law and Horse Sense which helps horse owners assess their needs, plan ahead and take precautions to avoid conflicts. She has tried cases in multiple states and received numerous awards for her efforts on behalf of the horse industry.

 

Insurance experts from Jarvis Insurance, Stephanie Cuper & Tina DeDario will also be on hand to outline the different coverages available to help mitigate circumstances that could arise from liability litigation. Cuper and DeDario are Farm, Ranch & Liability Agents.

 

Register for the webinar by Friday, August 19th by emailing info@horsecouncil.org.

 

About the American Horse Council 

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse-related interests each and every day.  The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen’s associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils. Learn more at www.horsecouncil.org

AHC announces August 17, 2022, Town Hall Meeting To Encourage Formation/Activation of State Horse Councils

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Contact: Julie Broadway
American Horse Council

Phone: 202-296-4031
Email: jbroadway@horsecouncil.org

For Immediate Release

AHC announces August 17, 2022, Town Hall Meeting

To Encourage Formation/Activation of State Horse Councils

(Washington, D.C., August 1, 2022): The American Horse Council and the Coalition of State Horse Councils are seeking to establish contacts with individuals in key states for the possible formation or activation of a state horse council to help with grassroots advocacy.  AHC President, Julie Broadway stated, “As you can imagine, there are often state legislative/regulatory issues that we need resources residing in the state to help us gain intel on and/or help us advocate for change.”

 

The stronger our network, the more influence we have in getting things accomplished. Unfortunately, there are currently only 26 states with a state horse council.  States we are seeking to establish contact with include AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, IN, LA, MA, ME, MS, MT, ND, NE, NH, NV, RI, TN, TX, UT, WA, WV, WY – Al & HI.

 

We would like to invite persons in these states to a town hall meeting on “National Nonprofit Day” on August 17th at 2:00 PM ET to learn more about this opportunity! Topics include:

 

  • Why every state needs state advocacy for the equine industry
  • How to form a state horse council
  • How to sustain/grow a state horse council
  • Introduction to three states that have successful councils
  • How to leverage the Coalition of state horse councils & American Horse Council
  • Resources available to help you get started…., and

Resources/Benefits AHC can offer state horse council members and horse owners in your state

 

The meeting will be held via zoom and a link is provided below.

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81593910728

 

About the American Horse Council 

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.  The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen’s associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils. Learn more at www.horsecouncil.org

AHC Launches surveys for Members and Non-Members

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Contact: Julie Broadway
American Horse Council

Phone: 202-296-4031
Email: jbroadway@horsecouncil.org

For Immediate Release

AHC Launches surveys for Members and Non-Members

(Washington, D.C., August 1, 2022): Beginning August 1, 2022 the American Horse Council is launching two surveys to solicit thoughts and opinions from both AHC members and the equine community at-large.

 

August 1- August 15 – AHC members will receive an email directing them to a survey to help collect information regarding their legislative and regulatory priorities. Sample questions include:

 

  • What are your top legislative priorities? (rank) Tax; Immigration; Horse slaughter/welfare; Soring; Trails maintenance/support; other

 

  • What are your top regulatory priorities? (rank) Import/export of horses; Disease mitigation; Land use; Transportation; Wild horse & Burro issues; other

 

Each week starting August 1, through AHC social media channels (FaceBook & Twitter) followers will be asked to respond to one question to collect their thoughts and opinions on specific topics. These questions are open to members and non-members. Examples for August include:

 

  • Week #1: What is the number one issue facing the equine industry that needs immediate attention? And how would you suggest it be addressed?

 

  • Week #2: What is your position on allowing horses to be shipped to Canada/Mexico?

If the SAFE Act were implemented and horses could no longer be shipped across the borders, who/how would you address the 30,000 unwanted horses per year that will need assistance/housing?

 

  • Week #3: What specific occupation in the equine industry needs to be professionalized the most?

 

  • Week #4” What is your “go-to” source for information about what’s happening in the horse industry?

 

About the American Horse Council 

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities.  Learn more at www.horsecouncil.org

AHC Announces Leadership Appointments

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Contact: Julie Broadway
American Horse Council

Phone: 202-296-4031
Email: jbroadway@horsecouncil.org

For Immediate Release

AHC Announces Leadership Appointments

Washington D.C. –Friday June 24, 2022 The Board and Leadership of the American Horse Council are pleased to announce the following leadership appointments for June 2022 – June 2023 term.

Board of Trustees: Dr. Rick Mitchell (USEF) – Chair; Marilyn Breuer-Bertera (USTA) – Vice Chair; Matt Iuliano (TJC) – Treasurer; Dr. Glenn Blodgett (AQHA) – Secretary; Jim Gagliano (TJC) – Past Chair; Tom O’Mara (USEF); Russell Williams (USTA); Don Marean (USTA); David Foley (AAEP); Joe Wilson (TRA); Tom Rooney (NTRA); Christy Landwehr – at large; Justine Staten (CSHC) – at large; and Austin Halvorson (Young Adult) – at large.  https://www.horsecouncil.org/about-us/board-of-trustees/

Committee Chairs: Equine Welfare – Kathy Alm, CEO of PATH Intl.; Health & Regulatory – David Foley, ED AAEP; Show & Competition – Dr Billy Smith, ED APHA; Racing Advisory – Joe Wilson,  President TRA; Recreation, Trails & Land Use – Randy Rasmussen, Director of Public Lands and Recreation BCHA.  https://www.horsecouncil.org/ahc-committees/

 

About the American Horse Council 

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.  

PAST Act received unanimous support from House Subcommittee

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Contact: Julie Broadway
American Horse Council

Phone: 202-296-4031
Email: jbroadway@horsecouncil.org

For Immediate Release

PAST Act received unanimous support from House Subcommittee

Washington D.C. –Thursday, June 23rd, 2022, The American Horse Council saw the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R.5441) receive unanimous support from the House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The AHC urged the committee to markup the PAST Act and approve it as introduced, as already passed by an overwhelming bipartisan House vote of 333-96 in 2019. The current version of the PAST Act lays out a common-sense solution to prevent the continued practice of soring and is limited in scope to Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses and Spotted Saddle Horses.

The PAST Act, as introduced, addresses several specific aspects of the business and competition concerns that are not replicated in any alternative presented historically. Any legislation that falls short of requiring USDA licensing of inspectors will fail to address the conflict of interests present in the existing inspection system. Additionally, any change in language that limits scientifically recognized inspection techniques should be called into question, including language to prohibit palpation. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine final report on Methods of Detecting Soring – released in January 2021 after a comprehensive 16-month study by experts – embraced palpation and observation of horse movement as the basis of all examinations for leg pain and lameness when performed by appropriately trained inspectors.

The AHC supports this legislation, as does the American Association of Equine Practitioners, The United States Equestrian Federation, the American Quarter Horse Association, the American Paint Horse Association, the American Morgan Horse Association, the Pinto Horse Association of America, the Arabian Horse Association, the American Saddlebred Horse Association, the United Professional Horsemen’s Association, the Appaloosa Horse Club, the American Veterinary Medical Association and many other state and local groups. This bill is focused on the problem it is intended to solve and does not adversely affect other segments of the show industry that are not soring horses and have no history of soring horses.

Please contact the American Horse Council with questions or comments.

About the American Horse Council 

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.  

AHC releases statement of support for Amateur Rule changes

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Contact: Julie Broadway
American Horse Council

Email: jbroadway@horsecouncil.org

For Immediate Release

AHC releases statement of support for Amateur Rule changes

(Washington, D.C., June 17, 2022):  Subsequent to a panel discussion at the June 7,2022 AHC Show & Competition Committee meeting on proposed amateur rules changes which included remarks from US Equestrian Federation, American Paint Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association and Certified Horsemanship Association, the American Horse Council Board of Trustees and Show & Competition Committee have released the following statement:

 

Due to the decline of youth and young adult involvement with horses over several decades, and for the urgent need to engage youth and young adults in equestrian sports, the Show & Competition Committee calls on all equestrian competition organizations to review their amateur rules, giving greater berth of opportunities for properly certified or supervised amateur exhibitors to provide fee-for-services introductory riding lessons without the threat of losing amateur status.

 

Show & Competition Committee Chair, Dr. Billy Smith, stated “The horse community is missing that critical on-ramp for young riders. That same community can solve this problem if it works together, developing strategies that welcome young riders on a worldwide scale.”

 

AHC Board of Trustees

Dr Rick Mitchell, DVM -Chair                                                       Marilyn Bertera – Vice Chair

Dr Glenn Blodgett, DVM – Secretary                                        Matt Iuliano – Treasurer

Jim Gagliano – Past Chair                                                               David Foley

Austin Halverson                                                                              Christy Landwehr

Don Marean                                                                                       Tom O’Mara

Tom Rooney                                                                                      Justine Staten

Russell Williams                                                                                Joe Wilson

 

Show & Competition Committee

Dr Billy Smith (APHA), Chair                                                         Darrell Bilke (PtHA)

Gary Carpenter (NRHA)                                                                 Stephan Hienzsch (USDF)

Bill Moroney (USEF)                                                                       Stan Morey (AHA)

Justin Billings (AQHA)                                                                     Rob Burke (USEA)

Scott Dorenkemp (PRCA)                                                              Harold Palmer (TJC)

Glenn Petty (USHJA)                                                                       Kim Jarvis (Jarvis Insurance)

Bud Wills (CSHC)

 

About the American Horse Council 
As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse-related interests each and every day.  

Call to Action to Support “The Old Guard”

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Contact: Julie Broadway
American Horse Council

Email: jbroadway@horsecouncil.org

For Immediate Release

Call to Action to support “The Old Guard”

(Washington, D.C., June 10, 2022): Several weeks ago, the American Horse Council was made aware of some concerns regarding the conditions of the facilities housing the soldiers and horses of The Old Guard at Arlington Cemetery. The 3d U.S. Infantry, traditionally known as “The Old Guard,” is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army, serving our nation since 1784. The Old Guard is the Army’s official ceremonial unit and escort to the president, and it also provides security for Washington, D.C., in time of national emergency or civil disturbance.

 

The concerns were highlighted in an CNN article dated April 7, 2022, which stated that “The military horses that carry America’s heroes to their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery are living in unsanitary and potentially life-threatening conditions, according to a US Army report reviewed exclusively by CNN, consuming poor-quality feed, suffering from parasites and standing in their own excrement in tiny mud lots scattered with gravel and construction waste.” The 60-plus horses of the Old Guard are rotated between two facilities in northern Virginia: a stable facility with three paddocks nestled in the Army base at Fort Myer, barely 2 miles outside Washington, and a 6-acre pasture complex at Fort Belvoir, an Army base about 30 minutes outside the city.

 

To obtain additional information and determine what actions may be needed, AHC staff spoke with The Old Guard leadership; 1LT Carlin Keally, US Army Caisson Platoon Leader, and Major Shahin Uddin, Director of Communications with The Old Guard. They indicated the matter had been addressed and a “detailed and systematic approach to improving the facilities and processes surrounding the care of the horses” has been developed, including the allocation of additional $2M in funds for the improvements. We offered both officers our continued support should they need anything to help them bring these improvements to fruition.

 

More recently we understand that funding has been held up in the Department of Defense. AHC is urging the equine community to write/call your congressional members to express you support for The Old Guard and encourage them to expediate the funding.

 

It has been AHC’s honor and privilege to work in partnership with The Old Guard on several community outreach projects over the years, and we are happy to provide them our assistance.

 

About the American Horse Council 

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.  The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen’s associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils. Learn more at