HORSEPOWER, Inc Calls for Creation of Equine Facility Disaster Relief Fund
HORSEPOWER - People Organizing for the Well-being of Equines and their Rights
Create Equine Facility Disaster Relief Fund
The corona-virus (COVID-19) outbreak has impacted every American institution, industry and household. Some are fortunate enough to have the capacity to weather a period of hibernation while we attempt to flatten the curve. Unfortunately, many independently owned and operated businesses, cannot withstand a prolonged hiatus – especially in the instance where such business is responsible for the care and well-being of numerous 1200-pound living, breathing, dependent beings. Such is the plight of our equine boarding and lesson facilities.
Maintaining a thriving equine industry is essential to the health of New York State’s economy. According to The New York State Equine Industry Economic Impact Study, “The equine industry has a $4.2 billion effect on the state’s economy and generates 33,000 full-time jobs. Equine commerce also results in $187 million in state and local taxes for New York. The thousands of horse farms, training centers and riding stables doing business across the state preserve 1.3 million acres of open space. There are 157,500 horses in New York.”
On March 20 as part of a Governor’s “PAUSE” Executive Order, a 10-point policy effort to stem the rampant transmission of co-vid 19, a directive was issued to all “non-essential'' businesses statewide, to “close in-office personnel functions effective at 8pm March 22.” Equine boarding and lesson facilities are not considered, by the state, to be an essential business. In addition, given the volume of clients moving in and out of such facilities each day, it is a perfect breeding ground for transmission. While most barn owners certainly understand the directive and its intent to flatten the curve, the abruptly cancelled lesson and training programs (the bread and butter of such facilities) is creating a crushing financial tsunami, leaving in its wake, a lifeblood of the state’s economy.
Currently, there is no relief in sight, and while many small businesses are indeed in peril, equine boarding and lesson facilities have to sustain the crushing blow of lost income (thousands of dollars per week) while still providing for, feeding, medicating (when necessary) and maintaining their livestock. While many businesses are mitigating their costs by reducing manpower on a temporary basis – our equines are dependent on these facilities 24/7, there is no option for a temporary relief for these businesses. Facilities are reaching out for help, but no such vehicle exists. As such, we implore the Legislature and Governor to offer assistance through the development of an Equine Facility Disaster Relief Fund.
A $10 Million fund must be made available to the estimated 1,860 boarding, lesson and rescue facilities across the state. To be administered, similar to the proposed federal relief fund for the general public – two payments, one in April, one in May to help mitigate some of the anticipated losses during the most difficult months. These payments will be made with the stipulation that they must go toward the operating, maintenance and care costs of the facilities and the equines.
The only bright light in this crisis has been the sense of community and compassion that it has ignited across the country. While legislators are scrambling to find quick solutions to protect the most vulnerable at this time, we implore you not to forget about the equine segment of the economy.