Shifting the horse's role from rural subsistence activities to the leisure industry in the context of maintaining the goal of breeding improvement. The case of Romania

Abstract

Abstract The social and economic evolution in the Carpathian-Danubian-Pontic area, now integrated into Romania's national territory, is indissolubly connected to the special relationship of man and horse. Therefore, by synthesizing the literature, we bring to the scientific circuit this study of the progress and results recorded in a high-interest public sector, i.e. the whole range of activities related to HBCC (Horse breeding, care and capitalization). Currently, certain parameters from this sector and the highlighted trends indicate that the equidae in Romania are not adequately exploited economically, requiring the diminution of their role in the classical activities from rural households and the reorientation towards the recreation and leisure industry. The approach to HBCC in Romania strongly considers, beyond the historical and economic side, the institutional element that targets them. Our justification in this regard is given by the fact that HBCC is an objective of state policies/strategies, involving special legislation, always in line with context changes – i.e. economic, social, political, environmental, etc. The situation is explained by the Romanian state's responsibility to preserve the national genetic patrimony, represented by the great genetic value of horse populations, as well as by the extensive responsibilities in terms of breeding, improving, qualifying and perfecting pure horse breeds within herds. Thus, special attention was paid to the amendment of the Romanian institutional framework regarding HBCC in the transition process to the functional market economy. First, we directed our efforts in order to address historical issues - the horse in the Carpathian-Danubian-Pontic area (the old and the more recent history, with the errors committed to the horse in Romania). An important part of the study refers to certain HBCC coordinates, with adequate criticism, but also to the trends characterizing the context of Romania's accession to the European Union. The HBCC parameters, which are associated with the reconsideration of the horse's role in the economic and social life, provide significant guarantees for generating multiple favorable effects in Romania, even if the society is increasingly technological/computerized.