A New Study Demonstrates a Powerful American Horse Industry

The American Horse Council’s study, The Economic Impact of the Horse Industry in the United States, was released on June 28.

Among the fascinating facts: the American Horse industry supports our economy to the tune of $39 billion and provides 1.4 million full-time jobs. There are an estimated 9.2 million horses in the United States. And quarter horses lead in the estimated number of horses by breed at 3,288,203, followed by Thoroughbreds at 1,291,807. http://www.horsecouncil.org/

Bipartisan House subcommittee - horse racing

Good news--maybe. A bipartisan House subcommittee is supposed to meet on June 19 to investigate the problems in horse racing. The ambitious witness list is made up of vets, owners, trainers, breeders, and officials. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25105381/

My article on Equestrian Ink Blog

Blogwatch: If you enjoy fiction about horses, you'll want to go to . This is my guest article on the exciting new blog Equestrian Ink, hosted by six excellent writers: Laura Crum, Jami Davenport, Kit Ehrman, Toni Leland, Mary Paine, and Michele Scott. Lots of good reading suggestions and inside information about writers who love and respect horses.

You can read my guest article at http://equestrianink.blogspot.com/2008/04/youre-writing-novel-about-what-by-guest.html

Comments from reader

A mention of a correspondent who wrote to say she is enjoying my novel. She represents people to whom this website is dedicated, those who have a lifelong love of horses and are devoted to their well-being. Mary writes, "I am 83 years old and have had horses all my life and showed Tennessee Walking Horses from 1950s to 1970s."

Big Brown - Triple Crown at Belmont Park

This Saturday, June 7, Big Brown will run the third leg of the Triple Crown at Belmont Park. He's won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness and has a chance to be the 12th Triple Crown winner, the first since 1978. It's a thrilling prospect, but at the same time, we know that American race horses are in trouble, breaking down in increasing numbers and sometimes having to be euthanized, the tragic fate of Eight Belles, the second-place winner of the Kentucky Derby. If you'd like to read my thoughts on the danger racing horses face and what should be done, click on Protecting Horses on my website.

If you'd like to respond to my article, I'll pick the best letter, and the winner will get a free copy of my novel, The Case of the Three Dead Horses. I'll reprint the letter for everyone to enjoy and react to but withhold the full name of the winner for security purposes. Please feel free to disagree with me or bring up new points.

The contest ends July 4, 2008.