The Ontario equine agricultural sector is a significant and diverse contributor to the provincial economy, encompassing racing, sport, recreation, breeding, training, and a wide range of supporting businesses and services. Rooted in Ontario’s agricultural landscape, the sector connects rural and urban communities, supports skilled employment across the province, and delivers economic, social, and environmental benefits that extend well beyond the sector itself.
Only racing and breeding are recognized as agricultural businesses. Every other equine activity is locked out of farm tax exemptions, OMAFA programs, and land protections.
2. A Municipal Patchwork
Across Ontario’s 444 municipalities, zoning and land-use treatment is wildly inconsistent. What is permitted in one township is prohibited in the next.
3. The Wrong Narrative
A damaging misperception — in Ontario’s urban centres, horses, if considered at all, are widely seen as a hobby. In reality, the industry creates substantive employment at wages higher than most industrial jobs, houses rural and itinerant workers, and involves people all across Ontario, not just in the urban centres, who work tirelessly for the success of this industry and the love of the horse.
4. A Workforce Shortage
Skilled equine workers are increasingly hard to recruit and retain — with no provincial workforce programs or immigration pathways for the sector’s unique needs.
Five Strategic Goals
1. One Voice
Unite all equine sectors under one credible provincial voice that speaks with shared purpose to government.
2. Agricultural Recognition
Ensure all equine operations are eligible for Ontario agricultural programs.
3. Municipal Standardization
Use hard data and real stories to shift the public and government narrative from hobby to economic driver.
4. Workforce Sustainability
Address labour shortages through workforce programs, immigration pathways, and promotion of equine careers.
5. Accessibility & Growth
Open the industry to new communities — including young people and Ontario’s growing newcomer populations —and grow the next generation of horse people.
HOW WE OPERATE
A phased, realistic path.
A grassroots, volunteer-driven start. Building credibility and support before spending money.
Incorporate, seat the founding board, distribute the economic study to government, launch the website, host a supporter summit, and secure the first government meetings.
A founding supporter drive with deliberately low dues to maximize breadth. A base of 30–50 organizational supporters generates the revenue to sustain early operations.
With documented support, government meetings, and media presence, the Council becomes fundable opening access to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, OMAFRA programs, and more.
One Industry. One Voice. One Horse.
Add your voice.
Help build the unified voice Ontario’s horse industry has always needed.
ONTARIO HORSE COUNCIL 