Speakers for the American Horse Council’s (AHC) National Issues Forum have been finalized, and the event will feature panels including representatives from across the horse industry on “Where Have All the Horses Gone?”

While this topic has been addressed at various organization’s meetings, it is the first time it will be discussed so broadly with representatives from breed registries, racing, showing, trainers, disciplines, veterinarians, and other stakeholders addressing the situation as it affects them.

“With the precipitous fall-off in the number of registered horses over the last ten years, we thought it would be important to get the perspectives of various organizations, breeds, disciplines, and stakeholders on why this is happening and what the ramifications will be,” said AHC president Jay Hickey. “It may affect various parts of the horse industry differently, but it will affect us all. Indeed, since we announced the forum, we have been surprised at how many thought the downturn was only affecting their breed or activity. Not so. It affects the entire horse community.”

Tim Capps, director of the Equine Industry Program at the University of Louisville, will be the keynote speaker and will try to put the situation in context: Have we been here before, what does it mean, and does the industry even have the data to make such determinations and plan for the future? Capps has been involved with various sectors of the horse industry throughout his professional life and brings his experience and academic background to the issue