History
The Sonoma County Horse Council was founded in 1993 to be a central organization to advocate for horse owners and businesses and to protect our mutual interests. The SCHC is a non-profit organization.
The mission of the Horse Council is to:
- Promote and preserve the horse a agriculture, industry and recreation in Sonoma County
- Communicate to members on horse-related issues
- Inform the public about horse community goals and projects
- Support private and public equestrian facilities
- Promote all aspects of the equine industry
Partnering with other organizations, such as the Farm Bureau and horse clubs, the Horse Council's role expanded to include monitoring regulations and legislation effecting the horse community and acting as a liaison with local government entities.
Message from the President
Howdy! I want everyone to understand the importance of Horse Council membership. Nationally, Horse Councils almost always emerge in response to some problem requiring a unified voice to impose political pressure. This happened in Sonoma County, where horses are the countyís second largest industry. When we, the Sonoma County Horse Council, fill the supervisorís chamber with cowboyhats we are a powerful force to reckon with.
According to the American Horse Council in Washington, DC, there are forty Horse Councils nationwide. Marin may be the oldest!
A veterinarian started one of the earliest Councils in North Carolina, and some years later he helped Colorado start theirs. The same vet is presently helping start a California Horse Council. We met at a statewide meeting, held at Harris Ranch, in an effort to get the organization up and running. I am proud to say that Sonoma Countyís Council is far more organized, effective, and polished than the statewide version. We may have to help out with the California Horse Council. It seems almost everything ìhorseî starts in Sonoma County! Letís wish them well and support their efforts.
The statewide Horse Council meeting was a real education. As horse owners, we do not get our unified opinion out there enough. Take for example, the horse slaughter issue. That whole legislative, nationwide decision was made without one word of input from the horse industry or community. Imagine something that important, and no input from horse people. This happens because horse people are independent, action-oriented folks. Sometimes we are a little apathetic and isolated. We also tend to hold onto our money. With all these tendencies together, we missed giving input on this major issue. Trust me, there are many more issues out there hanging unprotected.
Your Horse Council has achieved much to protect your horse and your interests. And you need us, this isnít your fathersí era. You can buy a silver concho for $30, or put that sum into something that assures you horseís place in the future. We hope youíll join the hundreds who have seen the vision and joined us. Join your Horse Council today, youíre sorely eeded.
Happy Trails! Ron Malone
