The US government shutdown today – October 1st, 2014 – this not only affects you and me, but horses as well.

Here is a list of some of the side effects from the federal shutdown on our equine pals:

1. No wild horse auctions by the Bureau of Land Management will take place. (http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/09/who-gets-screwed-shutdown-poor-people-old-people-basically-everyone)

2. Federal websites will not be working during the shutdown including national parks that care for wild horses and other equine. (http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2013/1001/Government-shutdown-sends-National-Park-Service-NASA-other-websites-offline )

3. Horses and other animals in the BLM care will be humanely cared for – minimal staff will be kept on to feed, water and do other essential duties.(http://www.doi.gov/shutdown/fy2014/upload/BLM-Contingency-Plan.pdf)

4. In certain regions, horses and other animals kept by other Federal agencies – such as National Parks – will have some duties performed by local law agencies. (http://www.presstelegram.com/government-and-politics/20130930/joshua-tree-santa-monica-mountains-would-close-after-government-shutdown)

5. Equine Disease Control lab tests done on horses and other animals by the National Veterinary Service Lab in Ames, Iowa will not be processed. (http://www.aqha.com/News/News-Articles/2013/September/09302013-Government-Shutdown.aspx)

6. Borders will be open. The import/export and quarantine facilities will be open. This includes the transport of horses to and from the United States. (http://www.aqha.com/News/News-Articles/2013/September/09302013-Government-Shutdown.aspx)

7. Temporary foreign worker programs will be suspended. The horse industry uses temporary foreign workers extensively due to the low wages they are paid. (http://www.aqha.com/News/News-Articles/2013/September/09302013-Government-Shutdown.aspx)

8. Foreign visas will be either unprocessed or slow to process. This will effect competitors in horse events seeking to enter the United States from foreign countries. (http://www.aqha.com/News/News-Articles/2013/September/09302013-Government-Shutdown.aspx)