The provincial horse industry is getting a  boost from the Ford government.

Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls says the pandemic has hit riding schools and trail ride operations particularly hard.

With no income but ongoing expenses of caring for the horses it has put some operations in jeopardy. 

The program will provide $2,500 dollars per horse up to $20,000 to cover the cost of feed, water and vet costs.

The total funding for the program is 3 million dollars.