The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), a not-for-profit grassroots organization that serves as Kentucky's equine economic advocate, held its third annual KEEP Day in Frankfort Feb. 12. Representatives of the horse industry, ranging from racetrack and sport horse organization executives to administrators and students from equine academic fields to small horse operation owners, met with legislators. Topics discussed included the industry's support for House Bill 175, which would make sports wagering legal in Kentucky, and Senate Bill 81, which would provide equine program funding at public institutions in the state. Bills recently introduced on equine cruelty were also on the menu of discussions.
“Bringing together all of these different groups from the horse industry is critical to our work,” said Speaker of the House David Osborne, “because it shows lawmakers that the horse industry is speaking with a unified voice on the issues that impact them most. We certainly understand the importance that horses have in this state and appreciate KEEP bringing a full representation of the industry to Frankfort.”
The horse industry generates $3.4 billion within the Commonwealth and its economy, KEEP says.
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