Wondering about the origin of the expressions “across the board?” Curious about the history of mounted police? Mystified by the racing form at Monmouth Park?

June is the Month of the Horse in New Jersey, and the Monmouth County Library System’s Eastern Branch Library, 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury, will offer free programs that answer those and other questions.

The horse was proclaimed the state animal by the Legislature in 1977, and in May 1998, Gov. Christine Todd Whitman proclaimed June as the Month of the Horse in New Jersey. According to a report by the Rutgers University Equine Science Center, in 2007 there were more than 40,000 horses in New Jersey and the horse industry generated more than $1.1 billion in revenue annually for the state’s economy. Hunterdon and Monmouth counties were the top two horsing communities in the state. As part of horsemonth, the EasternBranch Library will host “Sunnyside Up!” now until July 6. The art exhibit features paintings by the Plein Air Painters of the Jersey Coast.

Other programs include “Meet the Asbury Park Mounted Police” at 11 a.m. June 22, when the police officers of the Asbury Park Mounted Police Unit will visit the library branch with their equine partners to talk about the care and training of the horses and the type of law enforcement work that they do each day. Rain date: June 29.

“Inside Monmouth Park: How to Read the Racing Stats” at 7 p.m. June 23 will feature Sophia Mangalee, marketing and communications coordinator at Monmouth Park, who will give an insider’s view of the happenings at Monmouth Park and the racing statistics listed in the track program.

All events are free. An exhibit featuring horse-themed items will also be on display in the main lobby of the Eastern Branch Library throughout the month. For more information, call 1-866-941-8188 or visit www.monmouthcountylib. org.