OklahomaHorses Magazine January 2024

January / February 2024 • OklahomaHorses 25 Ensuring Recognition for the Horse Industry One role of the Oklahoma Draft Horse and Mule Association is representing the interests of the equine industry in the state. On behalf of the entire horse industry, members strive to promote ethical use and well-being while showing how important horses and their owners are to the state’s growth in the agriculture and business sectors. “One of the issues that just came up recently pertains to carrying insurance for wagon rides and other carriage events in public,” said Tom Peterson, president of the Oklahoma Draft Horse and Mule Association. “It looks like the insurance coverage will go up fourfold next year, and it has nothing to do with Oklahoma specifically.” Horse-drawn wagons are surprisingly common all around the country in largely populated areas, and some of the individuals involved might not carry insurance. Most states declare that people using or being around equine activities do so at their own risk. But if you are giving rides or doing it as a business, proper liability insurance for your property is more than just a good idea. Clearly, the Oklahoma Draft Horse and Mule Association is more than a club. “We make it a point to show people how special these horses are to their owners and why preserving the rich history of the draft animal is so important,” Peterson added. “We all take a lot of pride in our animals and want people to know we are committed to the history of the drafts and to the well-being of our horses and people who work or use them.” Express Ranches hosted a free clinic to teach people how to care for, show, and drive draft horses. Photo courtesy of Express Ranches.