Three riders enjoy another beautiful sunset in southern Illinois.
From left are Mary Inman, Jessica Barnhill and Matthew Barnhill.

Grace is one of the newest additions to the Inman Farms family.

If you drive along country roads very often you've seen horses grazing quietly in a pasture or running along an old wooden fence. They are an integral part of the scenery of rural Illinois and help in many ways to improve the state. You might not think of Illinois as a horse state, but there are 219,000 horses here, compared to 150,000 horses in Kentucky, a state known for its horses. Kentucky has very valuable horses, but so does Illinois, with horses valued at a total of $330 million. Many people don't realize what a big part of the economy the horse industry is, contributing $3.8 billion to the state.

Currently, more than 77,000 people in Illinois are horse owners and as the number continues to rise, fences and stables are popping up all over the state. Many people move into the country and buy five acres or so because they have always dreamed of having horses.

Wanting a horse is a common childhood wish, and for some that wish lingers into adulthood. If you have decided to join the growing horse industry, first you have to find a place to board a horse and then search for the perfect horse.

Horse auctions are very popular spots for buying horses and you can even purchase them over the Internet, but your best bet may be to buy from someone you know who has horses that are treated and trained well. If you're an inexperienced rider, you want a horse that is well-trained and can help you as you learn to ride.

Robert Inman of Inman Farms Inc. in Grand Chain started out with just one horse he bought for his daughter, but he soon

"Currently more than 77,000 people in Illinois are horse owners."

caught the horse fever and now has 27 paint horses. Inman is also very involved in his electric co-op, serving as a director for both Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative and the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. He recommends buying a horse that you know has been handled frequently, wants human interaction and likes to be ridden. He says "Our stud horse has been out and trailered enough that when you drive the trailer up, he's standing at the gate, ready to get in. He wants to go and enjoys it." Inman also warns, "There are a lot of horses out there that people don't want, ones that have been hurt or aren't rideable. Horses are big animals and they can be dangerous if

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Four year old Dalton Barnhiil (also shown on cover) has a captive audience with horses Sugar, left, and Dusty.

Once you've listened to some advice and decided to buy a horse, you need to learn how to care for it. Kevin H. Kline, Ph.D. works in the animal science department of the University of Illinois. He is considered a horse expert and his name appears by articles on a wide variety of horse topics. He says that a person looking for horse information should start with the University of Illinois Extension office. "If there isn't one in your county, it will be in an adjacent county. That is your first contact." If you have a specific question related to horses, Kline suggests calling him or Debra Hegstrom, M.S. at (217) 333-1784. Or you can contact the two through a question and answer section of Horse Net at http://il-traill.outreach.uiuc.edu/.

"Our stud horse has been out and trailered enough that when you drive, the trailer up, he's standing at the gate ready to get in"

The extension center offers seminars on a variety of topics throughout the year. For example, they recently held a course on artificial insemination of horses and a seminar on horse judging that trained people in evaluating horses for 4-H shows and the like, 4-H programs are a great way for young horse enthusiasts to learn about riding, caring for and showing horses. Many web sites also offer information on all aspects of horse care, showing, racing and breeding. Check out the listing of interesting sites and addresses at the end of this article.

So once you know how to care; for your horse, what do you do besides ride around the fenced-in pasture? Kline says, "Styles of horses vary in the state. Up in the Chicago area and northwest, you see a lot of hunting and jumping horses." And with different styles come different recreation ideas, "People up north like to jump. You get into southern Illinois and you tend to get more trail riding horses," says Kline. More than 350,000 Illinoisans ride horses on a regular basis, whether jumping them or participating in the growing activity of trail riding. Organizations such as the Illinois

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Trail Riders Association have formed to try to save the hundreds of existing trails that are closing due to changing land use policies. These organizations realize that the trails don't just benefit the rider, but also the surrounding towns that gain tourism dollars and an increased job market.

The horse industry directly provides more than 15,900 full-time equivalent jobs. Spending by suppliers and employees generates additional jobs that provide work for 49,400 individuals. And those workers are part of the 213,000 Illinoisans involved in the industry itself as owners, service providers, employees and volunteers. A much higher number participate as spectators.

Webb Parlier, show manager for the International Livestock Exposition at the Springfield State Fairgrounds, says "It is important that we recognize the economic impact that a horse show or livestock show can have on a community and the state. Participants and spectators come from all over to be a part of a major horse show; they stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, purchase gasoline and buy various goods and services during their visit."

One example of just how much money can be brought in from a horse event is The National High School Finals Rodeo held in Springfield last summer. That event contributed more than $6.25 million to the Sangamon County economy. More

"Apart from the financial aspects and the pure enjoyment of owning horses, they can also teach us."

than 70,000 people attended the show, two-thirds of the visitors saying it was their first trip to Illinois. Of those, 90 percent said they would return.

The horse shows at the state fair grounds in Springfield are becoming so popular, the International Livestock Exposition and the State of Illinois recently had a ground breaking ceremony for a new $600,000 competition show arena. County fairs across the state also hold horse shows, races, rodeos and events. Revenue from the horse industry is divided evenly between horse racing and horse shows and recreation.

The benefits this revenue brings to Illinois are substantial. But apart from the financial aspects and the pure enjoyment of owning horses, they can also teach us. Horses help those who are disabled and also teach kids some important skills. Chris Anderson, youth development educator for the University of Illinois Extensior Office Sangamon/Menard Unit says 4-H programs, with more than 3,800 kids involved, have horse programs because, " it's a way to teach kids various life skills through an area of their interest."

Anderson says kids learn about companionship, responsibility, competitiveness and sportsmanship. They will use these skills now and take them with them the rest of their lives. Adults learn from horses in the same ways. The quality of our lives in Illinois is improved in many ways by the state horses. They are, and will remain, an integral part of the Illinois land scape and economy.

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For more information

Horse Guide
www.horse-guide.com
This site is a great place to start your search for horse information. It contains thousands of articles, links, ads and book reviews. The information is well-divided, making it easy to find just what you're looking for. Articles are on subjects such as traveling, health care, breeding, showing, grooming, equipment, training, horsemanship, legal issues, etc. Links are to equipment and apparel sites, traveling directories, horse associations and a great deal more.

Illinois Horse
www.illinoishorse.com
This site offers information on horse care, Illinois events, news and associations. It also contains an extensive Illinois trail guide and a tracing service for stolen horses.

Horse Net
http://il-traill.outreach.uiuc.edu
Horse Net is a part of Illinois Traill, a coordinated effort between universities, extension services and the livestock industry. It contains a papers section that has helpful articles on horse care. You can also contact Kevin Kline, Ph.D. or Debra Hagstrom, MS, both with the department of animal sciences at the University of Illinois.

Illinois Horse Network
www.illinoishorsenetwork.com
This site offers horse care articles, classifieds ads for horses, saddles, trailers, trainers and recipes for fly repellent, skunk descenter, etc.

Illinois Trail Riders
www.illinoistrailriders.com
This not-for-profit organization's web site lists articles and news issues. The organization also produces a newsletter filled with current information on trail legislative matters, development, openings and surveys. They post conference notices, reports and information from the Governor's office, U.S. Forest Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Illinois Racing News
www.illinoisracingnews.com
This web site contains a listing of Thoroughbred farms in Illinois, racing information and links, a chat room, classified ads and information on the Illinois Racing News magazine.

Horsemen's Council of Illinois
www.horsemenscouncil.org PO Box 1605, Springfield, IL 62705
A non-profit organization that works to promote common interests of Illinois horse owners, promotes safety and youth programs, presents legislative issues, produces the Illinois Horse Fair and generally improves the horse industry in Illinois.

During quality time Mary Inman spends with her horse Abby, grass isn't the only thing that's being nibbled.

Illinois Trail Riders Handbook
This handbook offers more than 300 pages of information on Illinois trails and trail riding. More than 24,000 rideable miles are divided by area. Each site lists directions, trail descriptions, detailed trail maps, information on camping facilities and a contact name and phone number. Cost is $20.00 plus $3 S&-H. Illinois Trail Riders, 3855 Somerset Rd., Harrisburg, IL 62964.

Horse Industry Handbook
This guide, published by the American Youth Horse Council, is a bound volume of fact sheets submitted by experts on feeding, care, behavior, housing, fencing, reproduction, physiology, exercise, etc. You can order the manual by calling (800) 879-2942.

Illinois Horse Events
To find out about horse events in Illinois, visit the Department of Agriculture web site at www.agr.state.il.us or call (217) 782-4231. In addition to being on the Dept. of Ag. web site the State Fairgrounds in Springfield has several numbers you can contact for more information. For non-fair events call (217) 782-1698. For fair events call (217)524-3196. For information on the Livestock Exposition at the fairgrounds, call (21 7) 787-4653 or visit: www.theexpo.org.

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