55 Years And Counting From The Tractor Seat By bill whitman My wife loves horses in a way I never fully understood. She treats them like members of the family, our boys might even say better at times. My own perspective was shaped by my early years on the farm, when every decision came down to saving money or making enough to survive another year. Back then, I saw horses as having value only selling hay to horse owners at the back gate of the local track. Otherwise, I knew very few farms that kept them. That changed after my wife and I married. She already had a horse, and rather than board him at a local stable, she wanted me to build a barn so we could keep him at home. Before long, she wanted a horse for each of us, and the herd continued to grow. I will not say how many horses we eventually had on the farm, but I did learn to ride. Over time, I even came to enjoy the quiet rhythm of riding fence and developed a real attachment to “my horse,” Reiner. Through my wife’s involvement with horses, we found ourselves attending advisory meetings on equine-care laws and helping educate local and regional children, families, and equestrian groups about selecting and caring for horses. My wife was the star attraction. Her passion for horses is contagious, encouraging and grounded in responsibility. My contribution has been more practical: facilities, equipment, nutrition and the business realities of equine ownership. Many farmers believe there is a disconnect between agriculture and the equine industry. Neither side consistently sees the other as a true partner in agriculture, even though the connection is unmistakable and beneficial to both. I was surprised to learn that several successful Indiana farmers also own racing horses. A few dairies in northern and southern Indiana are active in horse racing, and at a recent banquet I asked several people why. Their answer was practical: when managed properly, Indiana’s horse-racing structure can provide a stable business venture. It can also give farm families a more enjoyable way to participate in and diversify their agricultural business. One of the clearest connections between horses and traditional farms is forage. Like any other livestock, horses perform better when they receive high-quality feed. They need the same careful attention to forage quality that cattle do. Their care also supports the broader rural economy through feed stores, veterinarians, farriers, equipment suppliers and other agricultural service providers. Horse racing receives mixed reactions from farmers and the public, but its economic impact is significant. I have learned, over time, that the racing industry is harder on themselves than most understand. In Indiana alone, horse racing contributes more than $8 billion annually to the economy. When combined with traditional farm commodities, that raises agriculture-related income to more than $43 billion, with horse racing accounting for roughly 20 percent. Other Midwestern states report similar benefits, with some exceptions where policy and advocacy pressures have weakened once-thriving equine industries. Racing is only one part of the equine industry’s reach. Across our communities, horses support youth programs, competitions, shows, and recreation, including: - 4-H and Pony Club activities - Barrel racing, cutting, roping and reining competitions - Horse shows and horse pulls - Trail riding, which continues to grow in popularity among people of all ages Each of these activities generates income, draws people into rural communities, and helps keep agricultural traditions visible and relevant. It is time to find common ground and bring the equine industry more fully into the family of agriculture. By the numbers alone, equine activity makes agriculture roughly 20 percent stronger in Indiana. That is not a small contribution. That is why the classification of horses matters. In states where horses have been removed from the livestock category and treated primarily as companion animals, agriculture loses an important piece of its identity and economic base. It may sound like a minor distinction, but it opens a door we should keep closed, locked and sealed. Horse Sense: No one can manage your business better than you can if you manage it and not the reverse. IndianaAg@bluemarble.net |
