During 2025 Vermont equine industry members are being represented in the following ways:
- The Equine Industry Committee works in partnership with the Vermont Farm Bureau to monitor and respond to legislative activity that may impact the equine industry in Vermont.
- The VHC Equine Industry Committee’s primarily focused has been on changing the definition of agriculture as it relates to equine facilities and activities to more equitably obtain tax benefits afforded to other agriculture businesses.
-
- regular attendance at House and Senate Agriculture Committee meetings in Montpelier
- testifying before those committees to provide industry background and dat
- Completing a telephone survey of equine farm owners to provide current information about the state of the industry
During 2025, Nationwide, the American Horse Council (AHC) is staying the course, advocating for its members on issues that impact horse welfare, equine-related businesses, and the recreation sector. By maintaining a consistent voice and engaging in constructive dialogue, the AHC ensure their priorities remain on the legislative agenda, regardless of the political climate.
To this end, the AHC is continuing to work with our members and affiliated equine organizations to urge the United States Department of Agriculture to either fix the existing HPA (Horse Protection Act) regulations or scrap them. AHC is also working with their champions in Congress to keep them informed of AHC concerns and activities on the regulatory front.
Additionally, the AHC is joining forces with other like-minded organizations to advocate for relief and exemptions to proposed tariffs, which, if imposed, would increase the prices our members pay for hay, feed, supplements, equipment and possibly impact the movement of horses between the U.S. and Canada.
The AHC is also active in coalitions to assist in keeping an employment pathway open for legal, temporary workers.
ROAD SAFETY
Many people are not familiar with the law when it comes to horses and motorized vehicles. Whether you are a resident or a visitor, please familiarize yourself with these important facts. And always think, “SAFETY FIRST”.
Title 23: Motor Vehicles
Chapter 13: Operation Of Vehicles
§ 1014. Persons riding animals
A person riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle upon a road is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle by this chapter except those provisions of this chapter which by their very nature can have no application. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973.)
§ 1127. Control in presence of horses and cattle
(a) Whenever upon a public highway and approaching a vehicle drawn by a horse or other draft animal, or approaching a horse or other animal upon which a person is riding, the operator of a motor vehicle shall operate the vehicle in such a manner as to exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the frightening of such horse or animal and to insure the safety and protection of the person riding or driving.
(b) The operator of a motor vehicle shall yield to any cattle, sheep, or goats which are being herded on or across a highway. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973; amended 1989, No. 55.)
