Ears up! Mules & Donkeys in the Show Ring, for February 3, 2026

AHC’s Team Challenge for Students

The American Horse Council Marketing Alliance is giving $15,000 to teams of college students, and we want to tell you how students you know could get their share. Join us this week as we explore the AHC Marketing Alliance team challenge, before you buzz off, stay for our in depth Screwworm update. HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3988 –Show Notes and Links: * Your Hosts: Julie Broadway (President) and Emily Stearns (Health, Welfare, and Regulatory Affairs Liaison) of the American Horse Council [https://horsecouncil.org/] * Sponsors: Equestrian Directory [https://www.equestriandirectory.com/], Absorbine [https://absorbine.com/] * Subscribe to the American Horse Council Podcast - Search American Horse Council Podcast on your podcast player. * Guest: Jen Blanchard, Marketing Director for Zoetis * AHC Marketing Alliance Team Challenge * Screwworm State Resources Screwworm from AHC [https://horsecouncil.org/screwworm/] * USDA APHIS [https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm] * Follow Horses In The Morning on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/horsesinthemorning] * Follow the American Horse Council on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/AmericanHorseCouncil], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americanhorsecouncil/] and X (formerly Twitter) [http://twitter.com/americanhorseco] Time Stamps: * 04:06 - AHC Marketing Alliance Team Challenge * 21:15 - Legislative/Regulatory Update, Screwworm

Unsanctioned Racing, Shadow Track Showdown

Delve into the shadowy world of unsanctioned "bush track" racing and the significant risks it poses to horse welfare, jockey safety, and the broader U.S. equine industry. Julie Broadway is joined by AHC Legislative Affairs specialist Amanda Kadilak and intern Aditri Singh to discuss their multi-year investigation into these illicit operations. Additionally, this month's legislative report explores how current trade policies and tariffs are directly impacting the economic landscape for horse owners and businesses. HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3963 –Show Notes and Links: * Your Hosts: Julie Broadway (President) and Emily Stearns (Health, Welfare, and Regulatory Affairs Liaison) of the American Horse Council [https://horsecouncil.org/] * Sponsors: Populous [https://populous.com/] and SmartEquine [https://www.smartpakequine.com/] * Subscribe to the American Horse Council Podcast - Search American Horse Council Podcast on your podcast player. * Guest: Amanda Kadilak, Government Affairs Liaison for the AHC * Guest: Aditri Singh, Intern for AHC * Follow Horses In The Morning on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/horsesinthemorning] * Follow the American Horse Council on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/AmericanHorseCouncil], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americanhorsecouncil/] and X (formerly Twitter) [http://twitter.com/americanhorseco] Time Stamps: * 01:06 - Bush tracks explained * 03:00 - Guest introductions * 06:00 - Scale of bush tracks * 08:24 - Research and legal gaps * 12:16 - Disease spread and EIA * 16:00 - Impact on sanctioned racing * 19:01 - Agencies and strategy * 22:19 - Enforcement examples * 24:35 - Cultural and community angle * 25:30 - What listeners can do * 27:54 - Smart Equine sponsor + tariffs topic * 31:36 - Hay and live horse trade * 38:50 - Tariffs, prices, and wrap-up

Economic Impact - Why the Horse Industry Counts, Literally!

Explore why measuring the horse industry’s economic impact is essential for advocacy, funding, and long-term growth. Learn what the AHC Economic Impact Study includes, why updated data is urgently needed, and how it helps position the industry alongside other major economic sectors. We also highlight how this work connects to broader American Horse Council Foundation initiatives and how you can get involved. HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3943 –Show Notes and Links: 1. Your Hosts: Julie Broadway (President) and Emily Stearns (Health, Welfare, and Regulatory Affairs Liaison) of the American Horse Council [https://horsecouncil.org/] 2. Sponsors: Markel Insurance [https://www.markel.com/], Equestrian Directory and ENSO Media Group [https://www.equestriandirectory.com/] 3. Subscribe to the American Horse Council Podcast - Search American Horse Council Podcast on your podcast player. 4. Follow Horses In The Morning on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/horsesinthemorning] 5. Follow the American Horse Council on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/AmericanHorseCouncil], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americanhorsecouncil/] and X (formerly Twitter) [http://twitter.com/americanhorseco] Time Stamps: 1. 01:01 - Why the economic impact study matters 2. 04:11 - Markel Insurance sponsor 3. 05:00 - Why the industry needs a new study now 4. 08:00 - What the study measures (direct/indirect impact) 5. 10:00 - What’s not included; not a horse census 6. 13:52 - Other data sources and horse population gap 7. 17:12 - Who funds and manages the national study 8. 20:52 - State and custom breakout reports 9. 23:25 - Using data for policy and regulation 10. 29:37 - Timeline for the next national study 11. 31:53 - AHC Foundation and United Horse Coalition 12. 35:00 - Equine Welfare Data Collective and capacity issues 13. 38:07 - Other foundation programs and closing appeal

Room to Roam - Managing Free-Roaming Horses Across the US

When we think of wild horses we traditionally think of mustangs roaming the picturesque landscapes of the Western US, but they're just 25% of America's free-roaming horses. Join us today as we explore the population of 300,000 free-roaming horses across the US, how they're commonly managed, and how federal regulations cross into it. Listen in... HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3921 –Show Notes and Links: 1. Your Hosts: Julie Broadway (President) and Emily Stearns (Health, Welfare, and Regulatory Affairs Liaison) of the American Horse Council [https://horsecouncil.org/] 2. Guest: Sarah Coleman, Kentucky Horse Council [https://www.kentuckyhorse.org/] 3. Guests: Dr. Melissa Esser and Kayla Gram from The Science and Conservation Center [http://www.sccpzp.org] 4. Link: Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board [https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/advisory-board] 5. Sponsors: Zoetis [https://www.zoetis.com/] - Wild Horse Refuge [https://www.wildhorserefuge.org/] 6. Subscribe to the American Horse Council Podcast - Search American Horse Council Podcast on your podcast player. 7. Follow Horses In The Morning on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/horsesinthemorning] 8. Follow the American Horse Council on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/AmericanHorseCouncil], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americanhorsecouncil/] and X (formerly Twitter) [http://twitter.com/americanhorseco] Time Stamps: 1. 00:30 - AHC monthly episode and feral horse topic intro 2. 01:00 - Define feral vs wild horses; where they live 3. 02:48 - Introduce SCC guests Kayla and Melissa 4. 04:27 - Introduce Sarah Coleman & Kentucky Horse Council 5. 06:42 - Kentucky free-roaming horse history & coal country context 6. 11:29 - What free-roaming herds look like on public lands 7. 12:03 - Why population control matters for range and safety 8. 14:37 - Kentucky residential conflicts and nuisance road horses 9. 16:49 - Kentucky’s three‑prong approach (gelding, removal, PZP) 10. 19:05 - Federal range management: gathers, holding, adoption 11. 31:12 - How PZP darting works and who uses it 12. 34:02 - How listeners can volunteer and get involved 13. 36:46 - Wild Horse Refuge sponsor & segue to law/policy 14. 38:21 - Wild Horse & Burro Act, AMLs, tools, oversight & board

Hoof Care First: Inside the AFA, Farrier Direct & Agritourism

Join us this month for a chat with the American Farriers Association about how they are working to professionalize the trade. We also introduce the newest support for horses and owners in need: Farrier Direct. Our legislative and regulatory update reviews agritourism and how it can benefit the industry. Listen in... HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3896 –Show Notes and Links: 1. Your Hosts: Julie Broadway (President) and Emily Stearns (Health, Welfare, and Regulatory Affairs Liaison) of the American Horse Council [https://horsecouncil.org/] 2. Guest: Martha Jones with American Farriers Association [https://americanfarriers.org/] 3. Guest: Travis Burns MSc, CJF, TE, EE, FWCF [https://vetmed.vt.edu/people/faculty/burns-travis.html] 4. Links: Farrier Direct Safety Net - American Farrier's Association [https://americanfarriers.org/page/farrier-direct-safety-net] 5. Sponsors: SmartEquine [https://www.smartpakequine.com/] 6. Subscribe to the American Horse Council Podcast - Search American Horse Council Podcast on your podcast player. 7. Follow Horses In The Morning on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/horsesinthemorning] 8. Follow the American Horse Council on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/AmericanHorseCouncil], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/americanhorsecouncil/] and X (formerly Twitter) [http://twitter.com/americanhorseco] Time Stamps: 1. 01:24 - Why hoof care matters 2. 05:20 - Meet Martha & Travis 3. 08:49 - Farrier certification & standards 4. 13:35 - Modern materials & research 5. 16:00 - Tech: X‑rays & radiography 6. 19:38 - Vet–farrier teamwork 7. 29:29 - Cost, care delays, hardship 8. 32:37 - Launch of Farrier Direct 9. 37:17 - Agritourism