Horsing around in N.J.

Dust off the saddle, grab the reins, and hold on.It’s time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the designation of the horse as New Jersey’s state animal, as well as the honor of the state getting to host the 2007 Breeders’ Cup thoroughbred horse races, with a little “horsing” around in the Garden State, according to the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism.

There are more horses per square mile in New Jersey than in any other state in the nation. There are also countless equine facilities, activities and destinations across the state ready to excite, educate and entertain visitors, according to the Office of Travel and Tourism.

“2007 marks a milestone for New Jersey in a celebratory sense with this anniversary, but also in a literal sense with large-scale horse events being hosted here in the coming months,” said Nancy Byrne, the executive director of the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism. “For the first time, the internationally acclaimed Breeders’ Cup thoroughbred horse race – which is touted as the richest day in sports – will be hosted at Monmouth Park in Oceanport this October.”

While the Breeders’ Cup presents a great opportunity to bring attention to the state’s horse-racing industry, Byrne said, the state also has plenty of nonracing horse-related activities and destinations that are open year-round, according to the Office of Travel and Tourism.

Those who own a horse and seek to get back to the basics can spend the day immersed in nature, riding a horse on one of the trails in Bass River State Forest in the Pine Barrens, located in Burlington County.

Those who don’t own a horse yet want to get out there and relive the days of the Wild West can experience Western riding at the Double D Guest Ranch in Blairstown, where wranglers and tamed horses can accommodate the very beginner to the most experienced rider.

Those interested in visiting a world-class equine exhibition facility that has played host to a formidable array of events, including the Athens Olympic trials, can visit the 147-acre Horse Park of New Jersey in Upper Freehold. At the Horse Park spectators can watch amateur and professional shows, exhibitions and dressage championships on most weekends and many weekdays from March through November.

For an educational experience, horse enthusiasts can visit one of the state’s living historical farms to see the integral role the horse played on a working farm in the early 1900s. At Howell Living History Farm in Howell, visitors will be able to witness draft horses demonstrating the horse-drawn field operations used in more than 25 agricultural field operations at the turn of the century. On select days, visitors have the opportunity to learn about horse health from horse doctors, dentists and shoers.

The longest continuously running Saturday night rodeo in the country is also in New Jersey. Called the Cowtown Rodeo, it is located in Pilesgrove and features bareback bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing and steer wrestling.

Whatever the level of horse interest, the New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism encourages visitors to experience the state’s equine treasures.

For further information about New Jersey’s horse industry, contact Sarah Rohlfing at (973) 871-1748 or visit www.visitnj.org.