The American Horse Council’s (AHC) 2011 Annual Meeting and National Issues Forum, "Congress on a Diet: What It Means for the Horse Industry," is only a few weeks away.

The 2011 National Issues Forum will be held June 21 in Washington, D.C., during the AHC’s annual meeting. The meeting will run from June 19 to 22 at the Washington Court Hotel and also includes an update on the national Equine Health Initiative, the Congressional Reception, and the annual Congressional Ride-In.

This year’s meeting will also see the return of the AHC’s Breed Roundtable, a popular event that brings together leaders of horse associations to discuss common issues of importance to the industry. The AHC’s various committees, including the Unwanted Horse Coalition, will also meet to discuss issues affecting the equine community.

A full meeting schedule is available on the AHC website. "The highlight of this year’s forum will be presentations from members of Congress, staff and federal regulatory agencies on the new fiscal realities in Washington," said AHC president Jay Hickey. "They will discuss how Congress’s efforts to deal with the country’s deficits may result in cut-backs to federal programs and spending that could affect the horse industry. There is a new paradigm in Washington that will affect all American industries, including the horse industry