On
March 26, 2010, the American Horse Council submitted comments to the
recently established Taskforce on Childhood Obesity.
Taskforce on Childhood Obesity
On
February 9, 2010, President Obama established a Taskforce on
Childhood Obesity (taskforce). This taskforce’s purpose is to
create a comprehensive interagency national action plan to address
the growing problem of childhood obesity. It will focus on
four areas: (1) ensuring access to healthy, affordable food; (2)
increasing physical activity in schools and communities; (3)
providing healthier food in schools; and (4) empowering parents with
information and tools to make good choices for themselves and their
families. The taskforce includes several cabinet members and senior
administration officials.
On
March 16, the taskforce requested recommendations from the public
concerning actions that can be taken to combat childhood obesity.
Comments were due March 26; this was a very short comment period.
AHC Comments
In
its comments the AHC encouraged the taskforce to include equestrian
activities in its effort to increase physical activity for kids.
The AHC recommended the taskforce create a national plan that
recognizes riding as one of many opportunities to reach children.
The
AHC commented that there are many equestrian pursuits open to youth
such as eventing, jumping, and dressage, rodeo, cutting and reining
competitions as well as endurance riding, polo and recreational
trail riding.
Additionally, the AHC pointed out that competing on horseback is a
complex and demanding physical sport. Riders must develop muscular
strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, balance, and fine
motor skills. Riding can also improve posture and cardiovascular
health. Though there is often the perception that the horse is
doing all the work, riding certainly requires athletic skills and
activity from the rider that develops muscle and burns calories.
Additionally, we pointed out that the daily care of a horse, such as
mucking out stalls, stacking hay, grooming, etc., promotes physical
fitness and that riding for pleasure on a regular basis has many of
the same benefits as competitive riding.
The
AHC also noted that a great many individuals who are involved in
equestrian activities are young people and there are many equestrian
organizations specifically geared toward youth or that have youth
programs.
The
AHC specifically recommended the taskforce include equestrian
activities in the scope of their deliberations concerning expanded
opportunities for physical activity. The AHC also recommended
the taskforce consider all options, including grants, to encourage
schools to create equestrian programs and get children involved on
an individual basis with equestrian youth programs.
Additionally, the AHC asked the taskforce to include equestrian
actives in any educational materials designed to inform parents and
educators of what options are available to get kids involved in a
physical activity. Further, recommendations included
encouraging schools to partner with equestrian organizations in
their communities.
You
can view the complete AHC comments to the taskforce here.
If
you have any questions please contact the AHC.
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Washington
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For more information on federal legislation, equine health and
regulatory issues, taxes, animal welfare, racing, recreation, and
showing please visit our website at
www.horsecouncil.org
SAVE THE DATE
American Horse
Council’s 2010 National Issues Forum and
“Ride-In”
at the Hyatt
Regency on Capitol Hill from
June 20 - June 22, 2010
As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, DC, the American Horse Council works daily to represent your equine interests and opportunities.
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March 18, 2010
Benefits for Horse Industry in “Mini” Jobs Bill Just Passed
Congress has passed a second jobs bill, the Hiring
Incentives to Restore Employment Act (HIRE Act), which
includes an extension of the expensing allowance through
2010 and other provisions to stimulate employment.
President Obama is expected to sign it as soon as he
receives it.
Last year Congress passed the Stimulus Bill that included
bigger write-offs for horses and other property purchased
and placed in service during 2009. But these
provisions expired at the end of 2009. The new HIRE
Act extends one of the benefits, the so-called Section 179
expense deduction for assets, including horses, purchased
and placed in service through 2010. The bill does not
extend bonus depreciation, which expired at the end of 2009.
The
HIRE Act also includes a few other provisions that may
impact horse owners.
Expensing Allowance
The
Section 179 expense deduction allows an owner who purchases
a horse or other business property and places it in service
in 2010 to expense up to $250,000 of the cost. This
applies to horses, farm equipment and any depreciable
property used in a business. Once total purchases of
horses and other eligible property reach $800,000, the
expense allowance goes down one dollar for each dollar spent
over $800,000.
To
illustrate the expensing allowance, assume a horse business
purchases $750,000 of depreciable property in 2010,
including $650,000 for horses. That business can write
off $250,000 on its 2009 tax return and depreciate the
balance. If instead, purchases were $900,000, the
expense allowance would go down by $100,000.
This provision would benefit any business involved in the
horse industry that purchases and places depreciable
property in service in 2010.
Other Provisions
The
new legislation also includes provisions to forgive payroll
taxes for hiring unemployed workers and gives a business tax
credit of $1,000 for every new employee retained for 52
weeks to be taken on the employer’s 2011 tax return.
These provisions are designed to boost employment.
Please call the AHC if you have any questions.
AHC
Washington
Update isSponsored by
The American Horse
Council keeps you up to date with electronic AHC Washington Update that reports on
Congressional action and other important issues affecting
the industry. The AHC
Washington
Update is a member benefit, and thus, is not intended to
reproduction. For more information on federal legislation,
equine health and regulatory issues, taxes, animal welfare,
racing, recreation, and showing please visit our website at
www.horsecouncil.org
SAVE THE DATE
American Horse
Council’s 2010 National Issues Forum and
“Ride-In”
at the
Hyatt Regency on Capitol
Hill from June 20 - June
22, 2010
Nominations Sought for the Coalition for Recreational Trail’s
Achievement Awards
The Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) is a group of national
and regional trail-related organizations dedicated to preserving and
supporting the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails
Program. The AHC is a member of the CRT.
The CRT is currently seeking nominations
(click here for the form) for its 2009 achievement awards to
recognize outstanding trail projects funded by the national Recreational
Trails Program (RTP). These awards are intended to highlight the
positive impact of the RTP. All nominated projects must have been
undertaken with at least some RTP funds. The awards will be presented in
Washington, D.C. during Great Outdoors Week 2010 (June 7-13).
The AHC would like a good showing for projects involving equestrian
use. So please submit any nominations by the April 16, deadline.
If you have any questions, please contact Ben Pendergrass at
(202) 296-4031
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (202)
296-4031end_of_the_skype_highlighting
or
bpendergrass@horsecouncil.org.
AHC Washington
Update is
Sponsored by
The American Horse Council keeps you up to date with electronic
AHC Washington Update that reports on Congressional action and other
important issues affecting the industry. The AHC Washington Update
is a member benefit, and thus, is not intended to reproduction. For
more information on federal legislation, equine health and
regulatory issues, taxes, animal welfare, racing, recreation, and
showing please visit our website at www.horsecouncil.org
SAVE THE DATE
American Horse Council’s
2010 National Issues Forum and “Ride-In”
at the Hyatt Regency
on Capitol Hill from June 20 - June 22, 2010
As the national association representing all
segments of the horse industry in Washington, DC, the American Horse
Council works daily to represent your equine interests and
opportunities.
(www.horse.com)
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