YoungHorse

AHC Seeks Industry Input on 2015 NAHMS Equine Study

YoungHorseThe American Horse Council (AHC) is asking its member organizations, their members and the entire horse community to help in the drafting of the 2015 National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Equine Study, which is in the preparation stages now. NAHMS is within the U. S. Department of Agriculture and is working with the National Agricultural Statistics Service to prepare for its Equine 2015 study.
The horse industry’s input is essential if this study is to address the priorities and questions the horse community has about itself. All organizations are encouraged to pass this request on to their members so that as many horse owners, breeders and stakeholders can participate in the preparation of the 2015 study goals.  This important study can go a long way in filling out information gaps in equine industry data. NAHMS is seeking input through the end of 2013.

The AHC stresses that the horse community has the opportunity to help determine the objectives of the study by identifying what information it would like to know about itself. A 5-minute survey can be completed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NAHMS_Equine2015_I, which will help ensure that this is the best study possible. The survey is intended to identify the specific information that members of the horse community deem valuable. Surveys must be completed by Dec. 31, 2013. NAHMS will use the survey results to draft the parameters of its 2015 study.

This will be NAHMS’ third national study of the equine industry. It is scheduled to begin in summer 2015.  Studies are conducted every 10 years, and the last one took place in 2005. Results of previous NAHMS equine studies are available at: http://nahms.aphis.usda.gov.

Any comments or questions can be addressed to Dr. Josie Traub-Dargatz at 970-494-7261 or [email protected].