The article provides a comprehensive overview of key equine-related legislative and policy issues at both the Florida state and federal levels during 2025, with insights from Elizabeth Craddock and Tori Deal of Holland & Knight’s Equine Industry Team. At the state level, major topics included the heated debate over decoupling live horse racing from gaming licenses, the reclassification of xylazine as a controlled substance with veterinary exemptions, significant funding boosts for land conservation programs critical to equine operations, and support for equine-assisted therapy programs. Tori Deal emphasized the importance of advocacy to ensure continued funding and favorable policies for Florida’s equine and agricultural communities, highlighting the Best Management Practices cost-sharing program as a valuable resource for farm improvements.

On the federal front, Elizabeth Craddock discussed the impact of a unified Republican Congress and the new administration on equine legislation, noting the focus on budget reconciliation and the stalled but ongoing efforts around tax provisions for racehorses and the Farm Bill reauthorization. Key federal concerns include tariffs affecting horse import/export, USDA workforce reductions impacting animal health services, and potential labor reforms addressing agricultural workforce needs. Looking ahead to 2026, both experts anticipate continued attention to land use and conservation, decoupling litigation in Florida, controlled substance regulations, renewable energy policies on agricultural lands, and federal legislative opportunities including the Farm Bill, tariff rulings, and ag labor reforms, underscoring the need for strategic advocacy across all levels to protect and advance the equine industry.