Contact: Diana Orban Brown
Director of Communications
Rutgers Equine Science Center
732-932-9419
orban@aesop.rutgers.edu

 

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ  (August 17, 2007) – Equine Science Center Director Karyn Malinowski was asked to summarize the importance of the unity of the horse industry. She prepared the following statement.

 

A CALL FOR A UNIFIED VOICE: THE VIABILITY AND VITALITY

OF THE EQUINE INDUSTRY IN THE GARDEN STATE DEPENDS UPON IT

 

Karyn Malinowski, Ph.D.

Director of the Equine Science Center, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station,
Rutgers University

 

In New Jersey, where the horse is the state animal, the equine industry is invaluable as a major factor for improving the quality of life for New Jersey residents by preserving open space, providing outdoor sport and recreation, building a solid foundation for youth development, and providing mental and physical therapy to adjudicated youth and handicapped persons. 

 

The New Jersey equine industry, valued at $4 billion, produces an economic impact of $1.1 billion comprised of the $278.2 million spent annually for racing-related operations, not including racetracks; $262.4 million spent annually by non-racing operations, $117.8 million spent annually by equine owners without operations, $502 million spent annually by New Jersey racetracks.  The industry employs approximately 13,000 persons and generates $160 million in tax revenue, annually.  Horses are found on 7,200 facilities on 176,000 acres in every county statewide.  Horse operations tend to be more sustainable than other types of agricultural businesses, making the horse industry critical to the growth and land-use strategy of the state (The New Jersey Equine Industry, 2007, Rutgers Equine Science Center).

 

Horse racing and the horse industry are essential to the well-being of New Jersey in many ways. There exists a delicate balance between the future of horse racing, the preservation of the New Jersey equine industry and the importance of the equine industry to traditional agriculture, open space and quality of life for the residents of the state. The New Jersey race horse industry has been severely impacted by the state lotteries and casino gaming.  In addition to the casino gaming industry and state lotteries there is now the introduction of video lottery terminals (VLTs or slots) in three neighboring states at racetracks in direct competition with New Jersey’s four racing venues.  New Jersey cannot afford to lose its horse racing industry.  Too many jobs and precious farmland and open space acres, which enhance the quality of life for New Jersey residents, depend upon the breeding, raising and training of thoroughbreds and standardbreds.

 

Why should non-racing equine interests care about racing’s future?

 

Racing is not the only equine discipline that will lose if New Jersey racing does not receive the “shot in the arm” it so desperately needs. 

 

• The future of young people who would like to make a living in the horse industry in New Jersey is in jeopardy.  Why stay?
• The New Jersey Equine Advisory Board’s (EAB) annual budget to support the Horse Park of New Jersey and the sport and recreation segments of the horse industry, predominantly, including 4-H Youth Development programs is correlated to a percentage of the pari-mutuel handle from racing.  The EAB annual budget which was $498,000 in 1990 declined to a new low of $350,000 in 2005.  This budget will disappear if racing is not saved in New Jersey.
• The “top shelf” level of services New Jersey horse enthusiasts have come to expect such as equine veterinary clinics and feed and supply stores are at risk, because, while they are frequented and supported by sport horse competition and recreational users, a predominant economic flow to these entities is from the racing industry.
• The entire infrastructure supporting ALL segments of the horse industry is in jeopardy.

 

The racing industry was there to support the development of the Horse Park of New Jersey, which exists primarily for non-racing interests.  It is time for the entire industry to rally around once and for all to let the public and the legislature know that the future of horse racing in New Jersey will impact horse owners of every breed and discipline; as it will open space, traditional agricultural production and quality of life.  Use the tool kit (Economic Impact Report and the accompanying DVD; available at www.esc.rutgers.edu) provided by the Rutgers Equine Science Center to tell the story of the importance of the New Jersey Equine Industry to legislators and policy decision makers.  YOU can make a difference.