News Release Distributed 12/07/12

Landowners interested in outdoor recreation, horse owners, and others interested in existing outdoor enterprises are invited to attend a horseback riding workshop in conjunction with the Ag Expo in West Monroe on Jan. 18.

Attendees will learn about the revenue potential associated with horses, general horse training, horse psychology, trail riding pointers, and the selection and use of proper tack, said LSU AgCenter agritourism coordinator Dora Ann Hatch.

The program will begin with registration at 8 a.m. and adjourn at noon.

Following the 8:30 a.m. welcome, there will be presentations discussing agritourism opportunities with horses and how to take advantage, said Hatch.

Topics to be discussed include revenue potential for recreational riding, managing liability, helping horses and humans hit the trail, marketing strategies and a live horse demonstration.

Hatch said the purpose of the workshop is to showcase horses for supplemental income and develop recreation in northeast Louisiana.

“In Louisiana’s agricultural communities, over 170 farms were reported as being engaged in agritourism, but we know the numbers are higher,” she said. “Sometimes landowners do not perceive their operations as agritourism and therefore do not accurately report on the agricultural census.”

Agritourism takes many different forms which include roadside stands, farmers markets, wildlife watching, hunting, fishing, ag tours, farm bed and breakfasts and dude ranches.

The workshop is sponsored by Ag Expo, North Louisiana Agri-Business Council, the LSU AgCenter and the Walton Family Foundation.