Milton Toby Passes Away

Award-winning author and attorney Milton Toby passed away Monday at his Georgetown, Kentucky home following a battle with cancer. He was 73.

News of Toby's passing was first reported by Blood-Horse, where he worked for over a decade before beginning a freelance writing career.

Toby began his sports writing career at the Aiken Standard and his first assignment for the South Carolina newspaper involved covering the 1972 GI Belmont S. He returned to Kentucky in 1973 and began a 12-year stint writing for the BloodHorse magazine.

As a freelance photojournalist, Toby covered stories across the globe, from China to Costa Rica and Columbia, before turning his attention to the law and earning a law degree from University of Kentucky School of Law in 1995. In addition to practicing law, he also taught at several Kentucky colleges and universities and served as chair of the Central Kentucky Bar Association's equine law division. He served as president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors from 2018-2020, sat on the board of the American Horse Publications from 2010-2013, and was an instructor in equine commercial law at the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program.

Toby is the author of 10 books. His “Dancer's Image, the Forgotten Story of the 1968 Kentucky Derby,” won the 2011 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, as well as the American Horse Publications Editorial Award as the best equine book of 2011. He doubled up on AHP's top equine book in 2012 with “Noor: A Champion Thoroughbred's Unlikely Journey from California to Kentucky,” and won that award again in 2018 with “Taking Shergar: Thoroughbred Racing's Most Famous Cold Case.”

Toby's 10th and final book, “Unnatural Ability, the History of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Racing” will be published next month by University Press of Kentucky.

Toby is survived by his wife, Roberta.

No service or visitation is scheduled. A gathering of remembrance may be announced at a later date. Donations may be made in Toby's name to Bluegrass Care Navigators in Lexington.

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Survey Shows Equine Industry Stable Based On Number Of Horses Owned And Managed

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the equine industry is stable based on the number of horses owned/managed, according to the results of a survey1,2 by American Horse Publications (AHP) sponsored by Zoetis. The survey, which includes responses from 7,267 horse owners/managers, found that the top three issues facing the industry are land use issues, horses in transition or at risk and the increased cost of horsekeeping. And, while vaccination rates are stable, survey respondents indicated they are following updated deworming recommendations and adjusting their frequency if needed.

“The results from the 2021 AHP Equine Industry Survey reveal overall stability in the U.S. equine industry in spite of unique challenges posed by COVID-19,” said Jill Stowe, Ph.D., professor of agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky, who analyzed the data and consulted on the results. “Based on respondents' input on management and issues facing the industry, our leaders have helpful information to guide strategic planning and decision-making for the long-term benefit of the industry.”

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The survey, which was conducted from January 18 through April 9, 2021, has three primary objectives: to gauge participation trends and management practices in the U.S. equine industry, to identify critical issues facing the equine industry as perceived by those who own or manage horses, and to better understand approaches to horse health care. AHP conducted similar surveys in 2009-2010, 2012, 2015 and 2018.

Stability Through the Pandemic

The average respondent owns/manages about six horses and 75.2 percent of respondents indicate that the number of horses they currently own/manage is the same as in 2020; 10.4 percent own/manage more horses than they did in 2020. When asked about future expectations of ownership, 73 percent expect to own/manage the same number of horses in 2022, 17.3 percent expect to own/manage more horses and 9.7 percent expect to own/manage fewer horses. Comparing this to the 2018 survey, we see an increase in expected stability regarding the number of horses owned/managed.

Horse Ownership

Growth in the number of horses owned/managed is more prevalent among respondents in the youngest age group as compared to the oldest group. Similar to previous studies, the frequency of owning/managing more horses in the survey year (2021) than in the previous year (2020) is decreasing with age; 21.8 percent of respondents in the 18-24 age category report owning/managing more horses in 2021 than in 2020, while only 5.4 percent of respondents in the 65+ age category report owning/managing more horses. This pattern is also consistent with expectations on horse ownership/management one year in the future: 31.1 percent of respondents in the 18-24 age category expect to own/manage more horses in 2022 than they do this year, while only 10.2 percent of respondents in the 65+ age category report the same expectation.

Event Participation

Survey participants indicate that they expect to compete in an average of 4.3 events in 2021, which is less than the 5 competitions reported in the 2018 study. More than 45 percent of the respondents do not plan on competing at all in 2021, up from 38.7 percent in 2018.

Horsekeeping Costs

Feed (including both hay and concentrates) continues to be the most frequently identified area in which horsekeeping costs have increased. This is followed by costs of veterinary services (41 percent) and animal health products (39 percent), which are stable from the 2018 study.

However, the cost of barn supplies has significantly increased since 2018, from 12.2 percent to 22 percent. Frequently mentioned sources of increased costs in the “other” category were fencing, building materials and insurance. In addition, 22.2 percent of respondents identified fuel/transportation as a primary source of increased horsekeeping costs. It is important to note that if this survey had been conducted later in 2021, when there was a sharp increase in gas and lumber prices, this percentage may have been higher. The rise in horsekeeping costs could force businesses to raise prices even if they don't want to.

Looking at how to accommodate for horsekeeping costs, most respondents reported they will reduce expenditures in other areas of their lives (60 percent), attend fewer competitions (22.2 percent) and pursue other income opportunities (21.3 percent).

Issues Facing the Equine Industry

The most frequently selected issue facing the equine industry was land use issues (43.5 percent), followed closely by horses in transition or at risk (43.1 percent), and cost of horsekeeping (42.8 percent). Frequently mentioned issues in the “other” category include animal rights activists, competition costs, liability and over-regulation.

Although there are overarching issues that span the entire equine industry, there are certain issues of heightened concern in particular areas of the country. For example, zip code regions 4 (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio) and 7 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas) had the highest percentage of respondents selecting illegal medication of performance horses and ineffective welfare laws. Respondents in zip code region 3, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, were most likely to select the practice of soring as a key issue.

Horse Health Care

Veterinarians administer vaccines for 65.4 percent of respondents' horses, continuing a gradual upward trend from previous surveys (58.2 percent in 2012, 61.4 percent in 2015 and 63 percent in 2018). The percent of respondents who administer the vaccines themselves continues to decrease, standing at 28.5 percent compared to 29.7 percent in 2018, 31.5 percent in 2015 and 34.7 percent in 2012.

Of vaccination-related issues discussed with the veterinarian, the most common is what the horse is being vaccinated for (63.7 percent), followed by American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) vaccination recommendations (40.6 percent). Since the 2018 survey, horse owners and veterinarian conversations surrounding vaccination protocols have decreased.

More than 72 percent of respondents indicate that their veterinarian is the leading influence for where they purchase their equine vaccines, with price being the second leading influence (13.3 percent).

Deworming

Respondents indicate that they are adhering to new deworming recommendations. The percentage of horse owners who are deworming 1 to 3 times a year has increased, while the percentage of those who are deworming up to 6 times a year has decreased.

More than half of respondents (54.4 percent) indicate their veterinarian is involved in developing their horses' deworming schedules—the first time this figure has eclipsed the 50 percent mark. Survey results indicate that just under 60 percent of respondents report their veterinarians recommend a fecal egg count test, declining from nearly 78 percent in 2018.

Respondents indicate that they purchase dewormers from chain stores, local feed stores and online. Veterinarians are reported to have the most influence on dewormer purchasing decisions and their role has become more prominent than indicated in previous studies.

Timing of Surveys Can Be Meaningful

The 2021 AHP Equine Industry Survey continues to build upon the first four surveys (2009-2010, 2012, 2015 and 2018) to help understand dynamics within the equine industry. The initial survey was conducted as recovery from the Great Recession in '08 and '09 was underway, and the following two surveys were able to track recovery in the equine industry.

“The timing of the 2021 survey is fortuitous because it comes on the heels of a worldwide economic slowdown due to the global COVID-19 pandemic—a health event not seen in more than a century,” said Dr. Stowe. “Accordingly, it can serve as an important benchmark in the health of the equine industry now and in the future.”

About the Survey

The 2021 survey was limited to those who currently own or manage at least one horse, are 18 years of age or older and live in the United States. The survey collected 8,029 responses, of which 7,267 were useable.

“Zoetis is proud to support the ongoing work of American Horse Publications and its significant efforts to understand the trends impacting our industry,” said Jen Grant, head of marketing for U.S. equine, Zoetis. “To see a stable U.S. horse population despite the many challenges of COVID-19 is a testament to the powerful connection between horses and their caregivers—a bond we are committed to nurturing now and into the future through our trailblazing portfolio of horse care products.”

“AHP is grateful for its partnership with Zoetis to provide ongoing and vital data on the trends in horse care, management and welfare of horses in the U.S.,” said Christine W. Brune, AHP executive director. “We appreciate the cooperation of our members in promoting the survey and the expert analysis of Dr. Jill Stowe.”

Survey results will be released by Zoetis and AHP members through their own channels. Excerpts from this study must be referenced as “2021 AHP Equine Industry Survey sponsored by Zoetis.”

1 American Horse Publications. 2021 AHP Equine Industry Survey.

2 The 2021 survey faced a number of unique challenges in collecting responses due to changes in engagement on social media, increased privacy concerns, and the polar vortex that hit the Texas area and left millions without power.

Read more here.

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Horse Owner And Manager Input Needed: 2021 Equine Industry Survey Launched

American Horse Publications (AHP) has launched its fifth Equine Industry Survey, which can be found here. Horse owners who live in the United States, are 18 years of age and older, and who currently own or manage at least one horse are invited to complete the survey by March 30, 2021.

The survey, which is conducted every three years, will gauge participation trends and management practices in the U.S. equine industry, identify critical issues facing the equine industry as perceived by those who own or manage horses, and better understand issues pertaining to horse health.

The online survey is made possible by a sponsorship from Zoetis, the leading animal health company dedicated to improving equine wellness, every day. Zoetis has sponsored the survey since its inception in 2009.

“Zoetis is proud to continue our sponsorship of the AHP Equine Industry Survey,” said Jeannie Jeffery, vice president of the Zoetis U.S. equine business. “We hope that the survey will continue to help identify successes and opportunities for improvement in the equine industry that horse owners, veterinarians and professionals can unite to resolve.”

“AHP is grateful for its partnership with Zoetis to provide ongoing and vital data on the trends in horse care, management, and welfare of horses in the U.S.,” said Christine W. Brune, AHP executive director. “We appreciate the collaborated effort of AHP members and the industry in promoting this survey and will strive to maintain or exceed previous responses in 2021.”

The study is anonymous; this means that no one–not even members of the research team – will be able to associate information that is given with respondents. When the survey results are tallied, only aggregated results will be presented.

The survey sponsor and AHP members who promote the survey will receive complete results of the 2021 survey to release through their own channels up to 60 days prior to release of the survey results to the AHP membership. The general equine industry may request a summary of this new information by contacting the AHP office at ahorsepubs@aol.com in October 2021.

Horse owners and enthusiasts are invited to promote the survey by sharing this link with horse-owner groups and individual horse owners. The more information we collect, the better we make our world for horses.

The 2021 AHP Equine Industry Survey is being conducted by American Horse Publications (AHP). Dr. C. Jill Stowe is providing consulting services for data collection and analysis to the AHP. Dr. Stowe is currently an associate professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky.

Take the survey here.

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Crimes Against Nature Podcast Launches July 15

American Horse Publications award-winning writer Julie Bryant announced today the launch of a new podcast, Crimes Against Nature. Its purpose is to point a spotlight on crimes involving animals, including insurance fraud, stolen animals, drug trafficking, targeted kills and how animal cruelty can serve as a gateway crime to even more horrific events.

“For too long crimes against animals have gone under reported or unnoticed,” said Bryant. “With the uptick in horse shootings, the butchering of horses in the field, cattle rustling, dog fighting, theft and other crimes against animals, I felt led to start this podcast to hopefully bring some attention to these crimes, as well as to those who work tirelessly, many of them volunteers, to help locate the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

Bryant noted that the podcast will also examine laws that pertain to animal cruelty or animal abuse, particularly in light of the passage of the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT) signed into law by President Trump in 2019.

“There was such a mixed response to the passage of the law in the animal community that I hope to help people understand when the line to animal cruelty is truly crossed in the eyes of the law,” she said. “Over the course of the podcast, I will be talking to legislators, members of law enforcement, veterinarians and forensic psychologists to help identify the signs of animal cruelty and abuse, and how ordinary citizens can help.”

The podcast will air its first full episode on July 15 with the story of Dallas Mounted Police horse “Cash,” a Percheron struck and injured by a brick during recent Black Lives Matter marches in Dallas. Bryant will also profile stories that continue to intrigue animal enthusiasts, such as the death of Alydar, as seen through the eyes of his surgeon, veterinarian Larry Bramlage, DVM, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, as well as former Kentucky Thoroughbred Association Executive Director David Switzer, who was a member of the team that worked unsuccessfully to save Calumet Farms from bankruptcy after the death of the famous stallion.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Bryant said. “Having only shared the idea with a few friends, I have already received a number of tips about crimes against animals or animals involved in the commission of crimes against people. This is going to be a must-listen for people who are true crime and animal enthusiasts.”

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts to listen to the Crimes Against Nature trailer and receive updates, or click here to listen, learn more and leave your own tips about Crimes Against Nature.

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