Rutgers Equine Science Center hosted the 2023 New Jersey Equine Industry Summit on Thursday (March 16). The focus of the summit was to help provide better horse care through research and education to ensure the well-being of the equine industry.

Dr. Karyn Malinowski, Director of the Equine Science Center, started the summit off by welcoming Secretary Douglas Fisher, New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Secretary Fisher (pictured above) reiterated Governor Murphy's interest in the equine industry and his efforts to continue to support the horse racing industry.

Dr. Alisa Hebst gave a report on the 2022 Equine Needs Assessment Survey. before Keynote speaker Dr. Jill Stowe took the stage. Dr. Stowe, Professor of Agricultural Economics and Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Equine Science and Management degree program at the University of Kentucky, gave a presentation on Economic Analysis of Equine Operations. The presentation focused on ways to reduce costs for horse and horse farm owners.

Before the lunch break Jim Gagliano, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Jockey Club gave a brief summary of the current state of Thoroughbred racing in the United States touching on the issues racing currently faces. He also discussed the implementation of HISA in the thoroughbred industry. Mike Tanner, Executive Vice President/CEO of the USTA followed Gagliano with the state of harness racing in the United States. Tanner focused some of his speech on the current issues the USTA has with the implementation of HISA. After each presentation both gentlemen took questions from the audience.

After lunch participants were able to attend six different breakout sessions to learn more about specific topics. SBOANJ's Executive Administrator Al Ochsner facilitated The Future of Racing breakout session. 

Dr. Malinowski and Rutgers Equine Science Center did an amazing job further educating all the attendees at the New Jersey Equine Industry Summit. Copies of the presentations will be available on the ESC website. 

(SBOANJ)