Coalition of State Horse Councils

The Coalition of State Horse Councils: One Voice for Every Breed, Every Discipline and Every State

Are you interested in learning what a state horse council does? Are you interested in starting a horse council in your state? Don’t reinvent the wheel – let the Coalition of State Horse Councils help!

The CSHC is the grassroots arm of the American Horse Council; we work to ensure that your state’s “boots on the ground” perspective is heard by the AHC, which elevates equine issues to Washington, D.C.

Equine issues don’t stop at state lines. From trail access to liability laws, the challenges we face are national. Learn what the CSHC can do for you:

• Organization creation blueprints: Learn how to create or strengthen your state horse council
• National advocacy: Gain a direct conduit to federal policy discussions through the AHC
• Proactive power: Receive early warnings on federal regulations that could impact local owners and businesses
• Resource sharing: Connect with other horse councils from across the country for advice on board governance, community engagement and other issues
• Peer mentorship: Access successful legislative templates from other states on issues like transportation and sales tax exemptions
• Collective think tank: Utilize leaders from equine industry across the U.S. to brainstorm ways to address economic issues, pre-empt agricultural threats, respond to natural disasters and more

We are stronger together.

Learn more by contacting CSHC Chair and Kansas Horse Council Executive Director Justine Staten at director@kansashorsecouncil.com

2026 Coalition of State Horse Councils, State Horse Council Toolkit

The American Horse Council (AHC) is pleased to offer the 2026 State Horse Council Tooklit (Digital PDF Copy)

*Please note this purchase is a digital PDF copy only. A link will be available to you once the purchase is completed, and a digital link will be e-mailed to you with the receipt. From “info@horsecouncil.org.”  If you have trouble accessing the link, please e-mail ops@horsecouncil.org

The Coalition of State Horse Councils (CSHC) Toolkit is designed to strengthen, support, and elevate the work of state horse councils across the country. Built collaboratively by leaders who understand the challenges and opportunities facing the equine community, this resource brings together practical guidance, proven strategies, and adaptable tools that help councils operate more effectively and speak with a unified voice.

Whether your organization is newly formed or long established, this toolkit offers a foundation for growth: from governance and advocacy to communications, partnerships, and program development. It reflects the shared belief that strong state councils are essential to protecting the future of the horse industry, expanding public understanding of equine issues, and ensuring that horses—and the people who care for them—continue to thrive.

By providing clear frameworks, ready-to-use templates, and examples drawn from successful councils nationwide, the CSHC Toolkit empowers leaders to build capacity, engage their communities, and collaborate more confidently at both the state and national levels. Most importantly, it reinforces the idea that no council works alone; together, we form a network capable of shaping policy, supporting equine welfare, and advancing the industry for generations to come.