We have a saying in our office, “America runs on donuts, but the American Horse Council runs on interns.” This isn’t just a slogan. Our interns do more than just work on neglected projects that typically fall by the wayside because there is never enough time or bandwidth. They tackle complicated, emotional and impactful assignments.
Our trade association’s professional staff is small, multi-generational (boomers to millennials), and remote. You’d be right to think that introducing college students into this mix is challenging. We have some interns working in Washington, D.C., others located all over the country, and, this summer, one who Zoomed in from Morocco.
Coordination across time zones is a challenge, but translating among generations is even more so. There was a bit of mumbling and grumbling along the lines of: “Again, with the app stuff?” “What in the hell does that emoji mean?” “My phone is ringing! Does she not know how to Slack or text?”
Despite the bumps in communication styles and their modest compensation in terms of stipends or class credit, the interns are ably tackling tough, traumatic and complicated issues.
It’s not all about the pretty pony in the backyard.
Our trade association represents the equine industry. The United States equine industry is worth $177 billion. This includes direct and indirect contributions to the economy, supporting a wide range of sectors, such as agriculture, tourism and veterinary services. The industry also supports approximately 2.2 million jobs.
Those numbers represent real money, real jobs and real challenges. Some poignant and personal. Summer interns recently wrapped up research dealing with euthanasia and disposal. An unhappy but necessary subject because we believe every horse deserves humane treatment from birth to death. This research is now part of a data bank so those owners struggling with end-of-life decisions and arrangements can make informed and compassionate decisions.
Another summer project is continuing work on eliminating illegal “bush track” horse racing. Again, it is an emotionally draining issue but necessary to confront. Bush track racing poses a real threat to the herd health of the U.S. equine population. It has serious consequences for the welfare of the horses, jockeys, and spectators, as many of these venues host criminal activities that range from money laundering to human trafficking. We were lucky to have both a law and a pre-vet student engaged in this assignment.
Of course, like most other Capitol Hill-centric organizations, we always have an intern or two interested in public policy. This year’s student went to her first legislative hearing and reported back that it was “a lot of passive aggressive snark going on.”
What’s the moral to this story? These kids are going to be alright.
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They’ve come through COVID lockdowns, social media anxiety, school shootings and political protests. They are passionate and resilient. And bold. They are not afraid to question practices and beliefs in the equine industry that, quite frankly, should have been scrutinized years ago. If the equine industry is serious about change, it must invest not just in tack rooms and traditions but in bright minds willing to ask, “Why not do it differently?”
Our industry needs to keep evolving. To keep addressing welfare issues. To discover new approaches to protect herd health.
Before we say goodbye to our summer students, I urge my colleagues across other trade associations to take a moment. Don’t let these talented young people head out the door without truly understanding the impact they have had, not just on our daily operations but on our thinking and our future.
I am grateful for their contributions and confident in their abilities. They will handle the challenges ahead with integrity and determination. And I know Washington runs better with interns, and yes, maybe even with their emojis.
Julie Broadway is president of the American Horse Council.