Critics of proposed new rules designed to protect horses from catching the flu during shows at the Crawford County Fairgrounds claim the restrictions may endanger the nearly $750,000 annual impact the shows have on the community.
About a dozen horse exhibitors were on hand at the commissioners’ work session Tuesday, saying tighter regulations may cut down the number of horse shows at the fairgrounds during the summer as exhibitors won’t be able to afford the cost of vaccinations.
An outbreak of equine influenza during the 2008 Crawford County Fair caused about 70 of 500 horses to become ill, though none died from the flu.
The fair board voted in February to require horse exhibitors at the 2009 Crawford County Fair to have their animals vaccinated against equine influenza plus a rabies shot or the animals won’t be allowed to be shown.
County commissioners are considering tightening regulations for use of the fairgrounds by all horse groups after last year’s outbreak. The county owns the fairgrounds.
There are nine horse shows a year at the fairgrounds plus 4-H horse shows.
Shauna M. Bogardus, vice president of the Western Pennsylvania Riding and Driving Club, said horse owners understand when there are required state regulations such as for the Crawford County Fair. However, owners disagree with more stringent requirements for the other events at the fairgrounds.
“It’s being dictated to us how to take care of our animals,” Bogardus said.
She said a two-day horse show is different than the eight-day fair exhibition.
“If a horse is sick and can’t perform, people won’t bring them to a show,” she said
Alyce Gatts, a horse owner from Atlantic, said even if the new rules are enacted, “all these requirements will not guarantee healthy horses.”
Plus, some of the vaccines such as rabies can cause an adverse reaction in a horse, said Kate Gatts of Atlantic.
“There’s no sense giving a shot that will do more damage than the disease,” said Kate, who is Alyce’s mother-in-law.
There’s also a financial impact, Bogardus said.
Potentially, requiring a 30-day vaccination for each show will cost horse exhibitors and 4-H members in horse clubs too much money, she said.
“You’re going to eviscerate the horse industry in the area,” Bogardus said.
A lack of shows also could have a financial impact on the area, she said.
“You stand to lose a lot of income,” Bogardus said.
The county earned $14,551.31 in rent from the nine horse shows in 2008 and $13,374 in rent from the nine shows in 2007. The county doesn’t charge rent for the 4-H horse shows.
The nine shows at the fairgrounds have an estimated annual impact of $747,000 on the local economy.
That’s based on an average of a two-day show for the nine shows with approximately 500 people attending per day. The Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates money spent by visitors recycles up to seven times among area businesses. That’s because local businesses buy supplies from other local firms and also pay wages to their employees, who in turn spend locally. Tourist spending in Pennsylvania has been estimated at about $83 per person per day for meals, lodging entertainment and other expenses.
Commissioner Chairman Morris Waid said the reason the county is studying the vaccination issue is potential liability.
“When people sue they go after the deepest pockets,” he said. “It would be a big issue if the county got sued.”
Commissioners took no action on the matter Tuesday, but took the comments from the horse exhibitors under advisement.
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