The American Horse Council’s (AHC) National Issues Forum, taking place June 24, will feature a program titled “Where Have All the Horses Gone?”

“Every major equine breed registry has seen a dramatic drop in the number of registered horses over the last ten years,” said AHC president Jay Hickey. “What are the reasons? Is this a function of the economy or a fundamental, permanent change in the industry? What will it mean for the industry, short and long-term? Are some breeds and activities affected more than others?”

The AHC’s Forum will address these and other questions surrounding this issue. Tim Capps, PhD, director of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, Equine Industry Program, will be the keynote speaker and will try to put the situation in context: Have we been here before? Is this a result of the downturn in the economy or something different? Does the industry have the correct data to make such determinations and plan for the future?

The forum will also feature three panels featuring a cross-section of breed registries, trainers, and other stakeholders offering their thoughts on the drop. Hickey said, “We have lined-up speakers from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), American Quarter Horse Association, Arabian Horse Association, Maryland Horse Breeders Association, National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, The Jockey Club, Thoroughbred Racing Associations, and United State Equestrian Federation to discuss how the drop affects them and what they might be doing. This is a very diverse group