Sponsor now wants horse bill killed

CONCORD, N.H. (AP)--The sponsor of a bill that has angered horse owners around New Hampshire is giving up on her proposal.

Cornish Rep. Carla Skinder told The Associated Press she will ask that her bill be killed. She also sent an e-mail early Jan. 27 to horse groups with the same message.

Scores of horse owners were expected to attend a hearing on the bill Jan. 27 afternoon. Skinder's e-mail said she did not want anyone to make the trip to Concord for a bill that she will not pursue.

The proposal would require horse owners to pay an annual $25 registration fee and have their horses vaccinated for rabies by a veterinarian every year.

Horse owners say it would just hike their costs. Many administer the vaccines themselves, and say the law would require them to pay for veterinarian visits instead.

Date: 2/16/09