Ontario Horse Racing's Uncertain Future

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Horses and horse racing may not always be top of mind as big business agriculture, but the recent announcement of Ontario pulling the plug on the Slots-at-Racetrack program as of March 31, 2013 is set to rip a huge hole in the equine industry and the economy of rural Ontario. The demise of a horse racing industry would ripple out not just in job losses at racetracks, but also at the farm level โ€” hay and grain producers, farriers, trainers, breeders, vets; an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 jobs associated with supporting the racing industry would collapse.

A recent rally in Ontario brought to light just how severe an impact ending this partnership will have, not only on the rural Ontario economy, but also to the estimate lives of 13,000 horses in the province. RealAgriculture.com’s own Bernard Tobin sat down with Lyndsey Smith to talk about the changes underway, the winners and losers of the loss of this partnership and where the industry goes from here.

For more on those rallying for a new agreement or clarity on the issue, visit www.racingfuture.com.

If you cannot see the embedded video below click here.

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