In this 2006 photo, Scott Stouder, the regional field director for Trout Unlimited, packs his horses and mules through old-growth ponderosa pines as he heads into the Rapid River roadless area drainage near Idaho's Seven Devils Wilderness.

Little-known fact: “Our state has the highest per-capita horse population to people of any place in the world.” That’s according to Ed McMillis of the Idaho Horse Council, who was among those testifying in favor of HB 220 in the House State Affairs Committee this morning. The bill permits pari-mutuel betting on “historical horse races,” a type of simulcast betting that’s becoming popular nationally that involves replays of old but unidentified races. McMillis and others from the horse industry in Idaho told lawmakers the move could help save an industry that’s struggling financially; he said Idaho’s equine industry is a $1.2 billion industry. Betsy Russell, EOB

Have you ever owned a horse?

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