Stable Horse Income Needed
By Keely Ana Strickland and Neil Melançon
Louisiana Farm Bureau News
Horses are big business here in Louisiana, but funding for equine programs is not stable. Several years ago, the state received a grant that ponied up; however, a coalition of horse groups is advocating for more permanent funding.
“In our first year in 2022, we were able to award $194,000 throughout the equine industry,” said LSU AgCenter Equine Extension Specialist Dr. Neely Heidorn. “The economic impact of those funds into the industry ended up being around $4.4 million, which was over a 2,000% return on investment in 2023.”
Ben Watson, president of the Cajun Rodeo Association, has experienced the economic impact firsthand. He explained that bringing out-of-state dollars into rural areas is a crucial component of the Louisiana horse industry.
“The economic impact that we have as a Cajun Rodeo Association on all 24 of our rodeos is astronomical,” said Watson. “This grant that Dr. Heidorn and her team provides enables us to provide [rodeo] for both locals and out-of-state folks who are now traveling into the state because of the things that we're able to do with this grant.”
A recent bill in the Louisiana Legislature aims to make funding more stable and the investment more efficacious in the long run. Mark Marionneaux is a board member for the Southern Reined Cow-Horse Alliance. He spoke highly of the magnitude of the grant currently available, but acknowledged a dire need for a long-term solution.
“The real challenge for us on a national stage is that major events take years to plan, which requires stability in your funding sources,” said Marionneaux. “We cannot host an event without state support. Having a sustained funding source will allow us to plan events that could take two or three years to get on the calendar.”
While it is important to boost horse programs, Heidorn explained it is vital to involve Louisiana youth as well.
“We're attracting more people to our industry and providing more opportunities,” said Heidorn. “There’s a lot more youth engagement and having the facilities and the income to support the programs that we've always loved and we've always enjoyed is important.”
Among other youth, Wilkinson County Christian Academy sophomore Charles Grezaffi rides rodeo and aspires to become a veterinarian just like his grandfather.
“It means a lot to me,” said Grezaffi. “It helps all of us get into the world of rodeo, hang out a lot at the rodeos, all get friends and bring families together.”
Senate Bill 235 is currently before the Louisiana Legislature and could revolutionize the horse industry for future generations, like Grezaffi.