The fertile countryside is home to about 40 per cent of Australia's annual foal crop and bloodstock at six studs affected by a proposed new mine west of Scone are worth $643 million.

From midday to 1pm, Atlanta Olympian, Nikki Richardson (nee Bishop) will lead the horses through the town, to highlight the alleged threat the proposed Bickham Coal Mine near Murrurundi poses to the environmentally sensitive horse industry.

The high-profile Thoroughbred studs, Arrowfield, Bellerive, Vinery, Patinack, Glastonbury, Turangga and Kio Ora will support the parade.

One of the organisers, Katrina Partridge, said the area - which ranks second in the world for Thoroughbred breeding - was threatened by water contamination from mines.

Studs in the region have already complained about coal dust from further south down the valley.

"The Bickham mine will be 150 metres from the Pages River, which feeds the Hunter River" Mrs Richardson said.

She is pictured with Arrowfield Stud, operations manager, Sam Fairgray, and "Suspicious Mind", a full brother of the modern racing great Miss Finland, at the district's monument to its horse heritage in the main street of Scone.

Notable horses to have emerged from the Upper Hunter studs and training tracks in recent years include three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva and 2007-08 Australian racehorse of the year, Weekend Hussler.

The horse industry protest will be a curious welcome to the financially booming portfolio of the NSW Government's new Mining Minister, Peter Primrose.

Mr Primrose might be drawn into the wider coal mining versus agriculture debate within weeks when the Land and Environment Court hands down a ruling to Liverpool Plains farmers.

The farmers challenged the validity of BHP Billiton's original exploration licence 6505 because they said it was signed by the Mining Minister Ian Macdonald (who also held the primary industries portfolio) and not by the director-general of the Department of Primary Industries.

"It remains to be seen what happens if it is invalid," said Caroona farmer and anti-mines on farmland campaigner, Tim Duddy.

Mr Duddy, Caroona, is happy the agricultural and mining portfolios had finally been split following the sacking of Ian Macdonald last week.