A new not-for-profit organization has been created to bring Ontario’s diverse horse community together and give the industry a stronger, more coordinated voice.
The Ontario Horse Council was incorporated to support the province’s equine sector which, according to the Ontario Agricultural Equine Economic Impact Study, generates $8.2 billion in annual economic activity, contributes $4.4 billion to Ontario’s GDP and supports 35,739 full-time-equivalent jobs.
The study examined an industry spanning racing, sport, recreation, breeding, training, veterinary medicine, tourism, education and a wide range of supporting businesses and services. More than 1,200 horse owners and 500 equine-related businesses participated in the research.
For study steering committee members Dr. Mike Pownall, Brian Tropea and Danie Glanc, however, documenting the industry’s economic importance was only the beginning. The effort to establish the Ontario Horse Council gained urgency when Pownall heard that Rideau Carleton Raceway was closing. He believed the potential loss demonstrated that the work was not finished and that the industry needed to do more to explain its importance to governments, decision-makers and the public. Pownall then approached a number of equine organizations, which have since contributed time and effort toward launching the Council.
The organization’s central premise is that the different parts of the horse industry are closely connected, even when those connections are not immediately apparent to individual participants.
When a recreational rider recently questioned how the Ontario Horse Council would be relevant, Pownall explained that the strength of the wider industry helps sustain resources used by all horse owners.
“The bigger the industry, the healthier it is,” said Pownall. “Racing, for example, supports a large number of horses and helps sustain resources that benefit the entire equine community, including surgical facilities and investment in the Ontario Veterinary College. Whether you are a recreational rider or a professional, we all depend on a strong industry to support the services, expertise and infrastructure horse people rely on. It is all interconnected.”
Tropea said the economic impact study gave Ontario’s equine community the evidence it needs to present itself as a significant provincial industry, rather than as a collection of separate interests.
“The Economic Impact Study validated the size of the industry, but nobody knows about it because we’re all talking about our own little silo, and that’s the problem. Break down the silos and speak as an 8.2 billion dollar industry. Strength in numbers,” he explained.
The Ontario Horse Council intends to complement, rather than replace, existing associations. Its role will be to identify shared concerns, coordinate advocacy and provide a provincial voice on issues that affect multiple equine sectors.
The Council has identified five initial strategic goals: uniting equine sectors under one credible voice; securing agricultural recognition for equine operations; encouraging more consistent municipal land-use and zoning treatment; addressing workforce shortages; and expanding access to horses among youth, newcomers and other communities.
The organization argues that Ontario’s equine industry is frequently viewed primarily as a recreational activity, despite its substantial contribution to agriculture, rural communities, employment, tourism and the provincial economy.
Municipal inconsistency is another concern. Zoning and land-use policies affecting boarding farms, training facilities, riding schools and other equine operations can vary significantly between municipalities. The Council also plans to advocate for broader access to agricultural programs and policies, many of which do not currently recognize the full range of commercial equine activity.
The Council is beginning as a grassroots, volunteer-driven organization, with participating groups contributing expertise and resources to establish its governance, priorities and public presence.
As part of the launch, the Ontario Horse Council is asking horse owners, riders, coaches, breeders, businesses, professionals, volunteers and other participants to complete a short survey about the most important issues facing the industry and the services the organization should provide. The survey asks participants about issues including the rising cost of horse ownership, access to trails and facilities, youth participation, insurance, education, horse welfare, government advocacy, competitions and biosecurity.
More information about the Ontario Horse Council and its goals is available at ontariohorsecouncil.ca. The industry survey can also be completed through the Council’s website or directly HERE.
The complete Ontario Agricultural Equine Economic Impact Study is available through the study website HERE.
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