The resource for Kansans who have anything to do with horses.
Important New Legislation Will Boost the Kansas Equine Industry -- Please Support the "Kansas Equine Education and Promotion Act "
When the Kansas legislature convenes in January the
Kansas Equine Education and Promotion Act (K.E.E.P.) will be introduced to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee by Rep. Doug Gatewood, on behalf of the Kansas Horse Council.
What is the K.E.E.P. Act?
This legislation will establish a nickel assessment on fifty pound bags of equine feed or $2.00 per ton. Five cents per bag amounts to an average cost of $1.50 per horse, per year. The assessment is on equine feed only; not hay, vitamins, non-mixed horse feed ingredients or grains that are processed for consumption by animals other than equines.
The purpose of the K.E.E.P. Act is to:
1) Support research, welfare and public education for equine-related isses;
2) Promote the development and uses of equine in the state;
3) Create public awareness of the value of equine activities in the state.
Why do we need this assessment?
Kansas equines (horses, mules, donkeys and minis) are one of only a few agricultrual commodities that has no means of raising funds to sustain and promote itself. Just like the Beef Check-off is used to promote Kansas beef, this assessment will go toward building and strengthening our equine industry.
What if I don't want to participate?
The assessment is completely voluntary. Anyone not wanting to participate will be issued a full refund at the end of the year simply by submitting their receipts to the K.E.E.P. Board.
So how would this work?
All equine feed manufacturers will add the 5 cent assessment to the cost of equine feed sold in Kansas. The manufacturer submits the funds to the Kansas Dept. of Agriculture who then deposits them into a bank account to be maintained by an independent accounting firm until being distributed to individuals and organizations twice a year via grants reviewed and processed by the K.E.E.P. Board .
How much money can be raised through an equine feed assessment?
We really won't know until the end of the first year but we estimate anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 annually.
Who gets to use the money raised by the assessment?
Everybody -- Individuals, breed associations, riding clubs, schools, equine organizations, agri-businesses, rescue facilities, 4-H clubs, etc. Anyone can apply to recieve funds. They will be distributed twice a year through grant applications.
What kinds of things can the assessment funds be used for?
Grant applications can be submitted for anything except political lobbying efforts. Some examples for grant application projects are:
1) Marketing, information and educational materials
2) Trails maintenance
3) Castration Clinics
4) Hay and Feed Banks
5) Promote equine related Agri-businesses
6) Equine Assisted Therapy programs
7) Improve 4-H, church, Girl Scout and Boy Scout riding programs
8) Economic impact studies
9) KS Equine Survey
10) Educational Seminars
11) Scholarships for outreach programs
Basically, grants could be provided for any activity that in some way serves to promote the Kansas equine industry.
Who will be on the K.E.E.P. Board of Directors?
The board will be comprised of seven members including:
1) Two individuals appointed by the governor of Kansas, one from each major political party, who are equine owners in the state;
2) The Secretary of the Dept. of Agriculture or her/his designee, as long as the designee is an individual who is an equine owner in the state;
3) Four members of the Board of Directors of the Kansas Horse Council; and
4) The Executive Director of the Kansas Horse Council will serve as a non-voting member.
How will the K.E.E.P. Board be held accountable for proper management of the funds?
Within 90 days of the end of each calendar year, the Board will submit an annual report to the Secretary of the Dept. of Agriculture which details:
1) The amount of receipts generated from the equine feed assessment;
2) The amount of disbursements made listed for grants with a description of the project and program supported;
3) A summary of the administrative expenses paid to administer this Act; and
4) A blance sheet as of the last day of the immediately preceding calendar year.
MOST IMPORTANTLY --
What can you do to help make this happen?
1) Send a letter of support for the K.E.E.P. Act to the KHC office via e-mail, director@kansashorsecouncil.com or to:
Kansas Horse Council
8831 Quail Lane, Ste. 201
Manhattan, KS 66502
2) Write, call or e-mail the KHC office and let us know your thoughts.
director@kansashorsecouncil.com or 785-776-0662
3) Contact your senator or representative and let them know you want them to support the K.E.E.P. Act when presented in the House and Senate.
4) Following is a list of members of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committe where the bill will first be introduced. Contacting any of these folks will be a great help. You can send them a message by clicking on their e-mail address. Just ask them to please support the K.E.E.P. Act when it comes before their committee in January. If they have questions, you can refer them to the KHC office. Some of the committee members have already voiced their support for the bill but it will be good for them to hear from you.
Many barns and stables have encountered theft in recent months. To help facilitate identification and recovery of horses and tack, we have created the Stolen Horse & tack Page. You can share your report of stolen horses and tack with others across Kansas by clicking the button below and sharing your information with us. We will place your information on the Stolen Horse and Tack web page for a period of one year.
We at the Kansas Horse Council would love to hear any questions, comments or suggestions you might have, and we are always looking for items to add to this web site. To send us such a message, click on the button below!
Homes for Horses!
This is a monthly feature that will provide the picture and contact details
for a horse adoption in Kansas. Please contact the equine rescue or
adoption service directly. Thanks!
Miss Pairadise (a.k.a. Cheyenne)
Rescued mare, Date
of birth: May 10, 2007 Registering organization: American Quarter Horse
Association (#4947300) Caught in a "he said - she said" dilemma, Miss
Pairadise (a.k.a. Cheyenne) needed safe refuge from threats to do her harm. Her
owner believed he had made arrangement for her care. The caretaker believed that
she had been taken advantage of and that no financial support had been provided
for the care of the mare. Regardless of the "truth", Cheyenne was at risk and
Rainbow Meadows stepped up to save her from possible abuse, or worse. Sold
as a weanling from a Kansas breeding operation and sold again as a 4-year-old,
Cheyenne has been lightly used in ranch work, having been started shortly after
turning 4-years-old in the summer of 2011. She needs continued education and
experience but is a sweet and friendly mare. She will be slow to physically
mature, expected to reach her prime in her fifth year.
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