EQUINE INDUSTRY( Continued from Page 13) of a consultant to chart policies and programs and( 2) hire an able manager and let him be responsible for the day to day operations. WE NEED FAIR ' TAX CONSIDERATION
We need to get across to tax authorities the fact that many horse operations are a legitimate business with a profit potential, and, therefore not a hobby per se.
It takes time, money and dedication to develop a new breed of livestock or to improve an old one. In particular, the first ingredient— time— is important when it comes to breeding horses. That’ s because they’ re under biological control, and no amount of money can speed up reproduction or lessen the interval between generations. Generally speaking, those who have developed new breeds of livestock, or wrought marked improvement to existing ones, have eventually reaped handsome rewards, in satisfaction and financially.
The following points are pertinent to the development of a new breed of horses: 1. Time required.— It takes longer to develop a new breed of horses than it does to develop a new breed of any other class of livestock, simply because( 1) mares generally have one young, whereas multiple births are common with ewes and sows, and( 2) the generation interval of horses is 4 years, whereas for sheep it is 2 years and for swine it is 1 year. Here are the facts relative to one breed of sheep and one breed of hogs:( 1) The breeding program out of which the Columbia breed of sheep evolved was initiated by the U. S. Department of Agriculture in 1912. Yet, a breed registry association was not established until 1941.
( 2) Washington State University launched a planned breeding program designed to originate the Palouse breed of hogs in 1945. but no animals were officially registered until 1956. Thus, it took 29 years to develop Columbia sheep, and 11 years to develop Palouse hogs. Single birth, longgeneration-interval horses are slower— to develop a new breed of horses requires 2 '/ i to 3 times longer than it does to develop a new breed of sheep, and 7 to 8 times longer than for hogs. This means that the development of a new breed of horses may take 72 ' h to 87 years, deducting from Columbia sheep; 77 to 88 years, deducting from Palouse hogs. Naturally, the required time interval will vary according to the( A) quality and uniformity of the foundation stock and( B) available numbers; fortunately, it is possible materially to lessen the time.
2. Cost— It is noteworthy that the U. S. Department of Agriculture estimated( Research Achievement Sheet issued May 31, 1945) the cost to develop the Columbia breed of sheep at $ 75,000, over and above the returns obtained from animal and wool sales. And it must be remembered that Columbia sheep were developed under range conditions and during a low cost era. In my judgment, it is fortunate when a person of the necessary dedication, patience and means set about to develop a new breed of any class of livestock, especially when it’ s horses. We should encourage them. This prompts a question: In all the years that the Kaiser and Siudebaker companies operated at a loss, were Internal Revenue agents breathing down their exhaust-pipe throats and accusing the companies of operating hobbies rather than legitimate business? Then, there’ s another type of management that needs to be improved. I refer to those who may know horses, but who, through their very actions, impart a poor public image of horses and horsemen: That of an unkept, poorly maintained breeding farm, stable, riding academy, sale yard or what-have-you; characterized by poorly kept horses, an oversized manure pile as a centerpiece, foul odors, and hordes of flies. Such unkept premises have no place in a modern society.
WE NEED WISE ZONING LAWS
We need to take a hard look at many existing, and some proposed zoning laws. In recent years, the greatest expansion of light horses has been in suburban areas; on high priced land, under relatively confined conditions, where most, if not all, feed is brought in, and where neighbors are close. However, zoning laws and other restrictions are making it difficult, and often impossible, to maintain horses in such areas.
WHAT ' S AHEAD
Despite the problems, I’ m optimistic about the future of the light horse industry. It will be as good as we make it.
But first we need to recognize the problems that face the industry; then we need to set about solving them. We must be realistic to the extent of recognizing that the horse is no longer a sinew of war or important to agriculture; hence we can expect little help from top level government councils and agencies— in fact, the once powerful and sympathetic entre through the Army Remount Service no longer exists. Yet, more than ever the horse is important to the physical welfare, pleasure and entertainment of millions of people. Thus, the industry merits better representation than it’ s getting. This can be achieved through establishing one overall nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of the light horse industry. If you think well of this idea, I challenge you, here and now, to( 1) endorse this proposal and( 2) seek the support of all organizations and horsemen through the length and breadth of the land. It’ s time for action. We can no longer be complacent, or wait for the other fellow to do it.
AMERICAN EQUINE FOUNDATION
I challenge you to establish a nonprofit foundation to be known as the American Equine Foundation: with the Foundation— 1. Dedicated to further education, research and development in the equine field, for the good of mankind.
2. Supported from( 1) 5 % of racing revenue now going into state treasuries( this would net more than 15 million annually)— with steps taken to change existing laws, state by state, to permit same,( 2) 5 % of horse show receipts1,( 3) 50 cents per horse registered in each association1,( 4) 25 cents per ton of finished horse feed1,( 5) one-half of one per cent of the gross sales on tack and equipment1, and( 6) gifts, grants and bequests from individuals, companies, public agencies, and trade associations.
3. Administered by distinguished Trustees and a Board of Advisors, representing all segments of the light horse industry.
4. Staffed and directed by the most competent persons in the land. Existing foundations will not be disturbed. 1 Voluntary If properly conceived and directed, the American Equine Foundation will make the years ahead the most rewarding in the history of the horse industry.
20 VOICE of The Tennessee Walking Horse