No, I don't mean the kind often referred to in the show ring. I mean the kind of politics that happens with our local and federal government representatives. I mean the kind of politics that are necessary when dealing with equestrian interests, such as open space, multi-use trails, zoning, nutrient management, taxation issues, and other industry concerns that may pose a threat to our passion for horses. Let's talk about effective lobbying of equine issues.

First, take this Horse Industry Literacy Quiz.

1) What is the economic impact of horses in the US?

2) How may horses are there?

3) How many people participate with horses?

4) How many full-time jobs does the horse industry support?

5) What are the total taxes paid (local and federal) by the horse industry?

6) What percent of US horses are used for recreation? Showing? Racing? Other - police, ranch, farm rodeo, polo?

7) What two industries is the horse industry roughly the same size as?

The answers to the quiz can be found throughout this article. A few people can answer one or two of these questions. Most people start writing the numbers down as I read off the answers. The point is, if we ourselves don't know these answers, how can we be effective when trying to explain our issues and concerns to someone outside of he industry? We can't.

Consider this example. You have heard that you're going to need a license to keep your horse at home. The process is going to involved $1262 initial fee, proof of ownership, a list of individuals living with 300 feet, environmental information form, building evaluation, location and site maps review. If approved you will also need an annual site inspection, $208 for up to 2 horses, and $22 for each additional horse. If this sounds far-fetched to you, it's not as far as you'd think. This has just been passed in San Mateo County, California. What would your response be? You'd probably want to call your county and state representatives.

Scenario Two: Hi, this is Ima Lot Smarter. I belong to the State Horse Council with 500 members, and one of your constituents. There's an issue I'd like to speak to you about and request your support on. Why? because our industry supports 1.4 mill jobs, has an economic impact of $12 billion, pays 1.9 billion in total taxes, and is actually about the same size as the Motion Picture Services and Apparel Manufacturing industries. In fact, did you realize that the horse industry is larger than the tobacco industry?

The impact that scenario two has is certainly more credible and has enough important data to get your representative's attention. Our representatives are more than willing to listen, after all it is their job. They deal with many hundreds of issues in any one year, and look to the industry to educate them about the issues. Without any information to go on, they are left in the dark.

In New England, we're lucky that grass-roots efforts are still very effective. There are many others areas in the country where this is also true. Our representatives have said that if they hear from one constituent the issue is controversial, two means the issue is a priority, three means it's a landslide, and four means that it' a mandate from the people and they vote accordingly.

Myths Explored and Exploded

Reasons given for not addressing our issues by different individuals are many.

Myth 1: I don't have time.

Not good enough. Take 1/2 hour each week (that's right even if it has to come out of your riding time) to learn about the issues and contact someone who can help resolve the issues.

Myth 2: Someone else will do it.

Not true. If you don't care enough about it to get involved and help, why would someone else?

Myth 3: There is strength in numbers.

Not if the numbers are not known, are not available or are invisible. The figures given earlier are national figures from the Economic Impact Study prepared for the American Hose Council in January 1996. Yes, we know that there are 6.9 million horses in the US, and that 7.1 million people participate nationwide, but it's even more effective if you can give these figures for your own state or region.

New England Agricultural Statistics Service is working on a census right now to try to capture some of this data. They've indicated that the horse census is having a low response. I have heard many horse people say that if they count us, they'll tax us. To the contrary, a silent majority has never been effective. There is no void left by us trying to hide or keep quite. Someone else with other interests and louder voice will make their point.

Myth 4: The professionals will take are of this.

We're all in this together. There are many issues that effect the professionals more directly. In the US, 43% of horses are used for recreation, 28 for showing, 10% for racing, and 18% for other uses. The point is that if any one sector of the industry is negatively affected, we stand to shrink as an industry, and our voice becomes smaller. We're all connected a by common denominator: The Horse.

Ten Keys to Passing Legislation

When working on legislation, remember these ten things:

1) Build bi-partisan bill sponsorship the House and Senate.

2) Know who your opposition is, what their position is and why? You'll need to address their position regularly.

3) Build a coalition of support with other groups that face similar issues and/or have similar legislation.

4) Industry support - call your government officials; discuss, don't argue; uncover their position and any objections

5) Industry support - show up at the state house in large numbers. Wear a neon label or industry identifier so that everyone knows who all these people are with.

6) Industry support - follow up with your officials. If they asked a question you could not answer, tell them you'll look in to it. Then do it, and call them back with the answer.

7) Establish effective communication channels with the press, with the industry, with those interested in your issue. Use the phone and telephone trees, email ,mail, and any other ways that you can think of.

8) Adopt a Jack Russel approach. Latch onto the issue, stay latched on, and remain over imaginative.

9) Work your network. The squeaky wheel works!

10) Industry support - thank your officials. No matter what their position, thank them for listening. If they didn't agree with you on this issue, they may on another in the future. If they supported your issue, be sure they are thanked and mentioned in your press releases. Remember, there is power in unity.

Written By Lisa Derby Oden, Editor/Publisher- Blue Ribbon Consulting

For further information contact: Blue Ribbon Consulting, 273 Poor Farm Road, New Ipswich, NH 03071 or blueribbon@monad.net