As the 2010 GHHC President, I want to share a few thoughts with you on why I chose to become involved and why I feel that everyone who owns, leases or just cares about horses should become an active member of this organization.
1. The GHHC is the only collective voice of the equine community in the Houston Area and represents all equine sports, disciplines, breeds and interests. The GHHC has impacted state, city and local government decisions on several occasions on behalf of horse owners, riders and enthusiasts. The more members this organization has, the stronger our voice will be.
2. The GHHC will continue to gather and share pertinent information related to the horse industry in the areas of government affairs and legislation, parks, legal, health, safety and educational issues.
3. Currently your Council is working toward the completion of the Equine Emergency Evacuation and Procedures Manual to provide horsemen and women, stables, backyard horse owners and related businesses with current resource information related to natural and man-made disasters affecting our area. Emergency preparedness, mitigation and training reduces panic, saves lives, property and animals thus protecting our investments. It also enables EOP personnel to more effectively do their work during disasters.
Your involvement can be as deep as you would like it to be by attending monthly meetings, becoming active on a committee or simply by keeping abreast of what issues the Council is addressing. This is truly a win-win proposition for each of us. Being a member of the GHHC is the intelligent thing to do as individuals, families, communities and businesses who are involved with horses. Without this organization and its members, there is no collective voice for the 200,000 horses in the Houston Area.
Please take a moment to read the comments of Carter Miller, former President of the Greater Houston Horse Council (2006-2009). I encourage you to review for yourself the accomplishments and scope of the GHHC during his tenure. So much was put into place and accomplished yet there is still so much more to do.
If you are a current member of the GHHC, thank you and we look forward to your continued support and involvement during 2010. If you are not yet a member, please join us in strengthening the voice of the horse in the Houston Area. Become involved and join the GHHC now. I look forward to meeting you soon!
Kindest Regards,
Cathy Strobel, GHHC 2010 President
December 31, 2009 (Letter from Carter Miller, former GHHC President, 2006-2009)
Dear Friends,
It has been my distinct pleasure to have served as the GHHC President for the past three years. We have an outstanding group of business, educational, and legal professionals always willing to take the time from their demanding schedules to educate and protect equine interests in the greater Houston area.
Examples of GHHC activities:
Governmental Affairs
U.S. Horse Slaughter Ban
U.S. Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse/Burro Abuses
Support for the Texas Gaming Industry
Member alerts regarding livestock identification and regulations
Parks/Trails
Advised Pundt Park developers with equine trails
Advised Lake Houston Park developers with equine trails
Advised West Houston/Katy Park developers with equine trails
Legal
Successfully supported a local rider against over-zealous police in Roman Forest
Anti-Cruelty watchdogs and activists
Supported the effort to repeal the Houston Esplanade Law
Alerts to members regarding equine licensing, medical, and commercial interests
Disaster and Evacuation
Drafting a member handbook of resources
Participating in local, county, regional, and state disaster councils and training
Supported the Large Animal Rescue Seminar
Developing equine response teams for local, county, regional, and state disaster responses
Medical
Alert members to appropriate medical events, outbreaks, and legislation
Education
Monthly speakers program on topics of interest – trimming, dietary issues, dentistry, chiropractic, trail riding, trailering, legal, ground training, snakes/critters
Houston Rodeo
Provide GHHC riders for the Houston Livestock & Rodeo Parade in downtown Houston
As you can see, we are quite active and couldn’t have achieved this without the dedication of each of our members. The groundwork is set for even better things to come – larger GHHC membership – both individuals and professional associations.
Thank you for the opportunity to work with the best – you have taught me so much.
All the best,
Carter Miller
