Horse - National Institute for Animal Agriculture

CURRENT TRENDS IN THE
HORSE INDUSTRY
Keith Kleine, MS
Director of Industry Relations
The Economy
C
U
G
A
H
John Holland, President of Equine Welfare Alliance
BREED TRANSFER AND
MEMBERSHIP TRENDS
Breed Transfer Trends
2000–2011
Breed Membership Trends
2000–2011
250,000
400,000
350,000
200,000
300,000
250,000
150,000
200,000
100,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
50,000
0
Quarter Horse
Paint
Standardbred
Arabian
Appaloosa
Tennesse Walking
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
0
AQHA
Paint
Arabian
Standardbred
Appaloosa
Tennessee Walking
AQHA Transfers
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Transfers in the Industry
Quarter Horse
Paint
Standardbred *
Arabian
Appaloosa
Tennessee Walking
INDUSTRY COMPARISON
Percentage
Breed
Quarter Horse
Decrease from
2012 to 2013
Percentage
Percentage
Decrease from Decrease from
2006 to 2013
2000 to 2013
-11.8%
-55.1%
-49.2%
Paint
4.6%
-65.9%
-78.5%
Thoroughbred
-2.1%
-44.0%
-39.1%
Arabian
-10.2%
-53.3%
-66.0%
Appaloosa
-11.9%
-60.7%
-73.7%
Pinto
-4.8%
-60.0%
-58.8%
Membership in the Industry
BREED
2014
2014 vs 2013
Trend
change
Quarter Horse
263,528
-7,185
-2.65%
Paint
50,211
-1,082
-2.11%
Arabian
22,433
-1,786
-7.37%
Standardbred*
17,500
-554
-3.07%
Appaloosa
12,096
-780
-6.06%
Tennessee Walking
5,912
-1,741
-22.75%
Miniature Horse
5,028
-1,021
-16.88%
Morgan Horse
6,032
-325
-5.11%
Pinto*
7,200
-233
-3.13%
Saddlebred
6,562
-401
-5.76%
Paso Fino
3,264
-160
-4.67%
Estimate*
Membership in the Industry
Quarter Horse
Paint
Arabian
Standardbred*
Appaloosa
Tennessee Walking
Miniature Horse
Morgan Horse
Pinto*
Saddlebred
Paso Fino
Estimate*
STALLION
BREEDING
REPORTS
BY
STALLION
GROUPS
Race Stallions
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
Show Stallions
20,000
18,000
16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
Other Activity Stallions
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Horse Registrations Trends
AQHA Registrations
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Registrations in the Industry
BREED
Quarter Horse
Paint
Thoroughbred *
Standardbred
Tennessee Walking
Arabian
Appaloosa
Miniature Horse
Anglo & Half Arabian
Saddlebred
Ponies of America *
Morgan Horse
Pinto *
Paso Fino
2014
83,146
11,572
22,000
7,448
2,825
3,489
2,391
3,715
1,045
1,241
450
1,389
1,650
623
14 vs 13
change
9,032
-1,837
-1,000
-329
-1,329
207
-263
-462
36
-295
-30
-36
-53
134
Trend
12.19%
-13.70%
-4.35%
-4.23%
-31.99%
6.31%
-9.91%
-11.06%
3.57%
-19.21%
-6.25%
-2.53%
-3.11%
27.40%
Registrations in the Industry
Quarter Horse
Paint
Thoroughbred *
Standardbred
Tennessee Walking
Arabian
Appaloosa
Miniature Horse
Anglo & Half Arabian
Saddlebred
Ponies of America*
Morgan Horse
AQHA Registrations by Foaling Year
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
51,296
22,000
1986
2014
Projected
40,000
37,949
38,000
36,000
34,000
32,000
30,000
28,000
26,000
22,000
24,000
22,000
20,000
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011*
2012*
2013*
2014*
estimate
*
AHC Breed Roundtable
USEF

2-3% ↑ in membership/ 20% ↑ in show entries
Arabians

15% ↑ in small shows/ ↑embryo transfers, exports
Therapeutic Riding Assoc.

7% growth (6,000 horses)
NCHA

↑events and purses
PRCA

6.4% ↑ in entries
AQHA

15% ↑ in show entries/ # of horses down
HERITAGE CLOSES WITH
45% JUMP IN AVERAGE
OKLAHOMA CITY—When the last horse exited the ring at Heritage
Place Saturday, figures showed that the entire offering in the Winter
Mixed Sale averaged $12,168 and the median price was $6,500.
Preliminary sheets issued by the sale company and TRACK
Magazine also showed that a remarkable 90% of the horses that
went through the ring in the three day event were listed as “sold.”
The $12,168 average was up 45% over the 2013 figure of
$8,397. The $6,500 median is a 44% jump over $4,500 figure
posted for the 2013 sale.
TB Yearling & Broodmare Sale Prices
U.S. Horse Population
9.2 Million Horses
in the U.S.
By Use
• 3.91 million – recreation
• 2.72 million – showing
• 840,000 – racing
• 1.75 million – other*
By Breed
• American Quarter Horse – 3.10 million**
• Thoroughbred – 1.29 million
• Other* – 4.64 million
* Combined population of several additional breeds and unregistered horses
2005 American Horse Council study Deloitte Consulting
** AQHA 2010 Annual Report
States with Largest Horse Populations
1
Texas
2
California
700,000
3
Florida
500,000
4
Oklahoma
326,000
5
Kentucky
320,000
6
Ohio
307,000
7
Missouri
281,000
North Carolina
256,000
Colorado
256,000
Pennsylvania
256,000
8
9
10
1,000,000
Horse Owner Demographics
Estimate there are 1.8 million horse owners*
Generally speaking they are:**
 Female
 Ages
45+
 HH income of $50,000+
 Employed full-time
 Married
*AVMA U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographic Sourcebook, 2012
**Brakke Equine Marketing Mega Study, 2014
Horse Owner Demographics*







85%
30%
11%
10%
9%
7%
2%
Recreational rider
Participate in competitive events
Breed horses
Manage a horse facility
Groom or exercise horses
Are professional trainers
Own race horses
*Brakke Equine Marketing Mega Study, 2014
Horse Owner Demographics*

24% believe horse economy is improving

24% believe horse economy is getting worse


48% ride Western Style
 Most often compete in barrel racing,
pleasure & trail events
16% ride English-style
 Most often compete in hunter and dressage
events
*Brakke Equine Marketing Mega Study, 2014
Current Culture and Attitudes



Horse crazy boomers
aging, new generations
have multiple other
interests
Horse world can seem
arrogant to none horse
owners
Increased public concern
with horse welfare
Major Horse Industry Issues

Horse welfare

Federal/ State Pending Legislation

Unacceptable training techniques

Processing of Horses for meat

Emerging diseases

Declining horse ownership
Equine Welfare Issues:
Unwanted Horses, Racing,
Wild Horses, Show Horse Ethics, TWH Soring & Horse Slaughter
The Public’s concern for horse welfare is at an all time
high, while the Public’s knowledge of what constitutes
good horse welfare is at an all time low
Welfare
“Animal welfare is fast becoming the
major challenge of the veterinary
profession for this century.”
Dr. Bernie Osborn
Dean Emeritus of the University of California Davis School of
Veterinary Medicine
Welfare
“The greatest threat to animal
agriculture is a misinformed
consumer (public).”
Todd Allen
Former President, Kansas Livestock Association
Center for Food Integrity Survey:
Most credible source of information on farm animal care
according to consumers
30%
20%
16%
12%
12%
10%
6%
0%
HSUS
Veterinarians
PETA
Farmers/
Ranchers
Survey of 5th Graders*
What are the most important issues in
the world?
1. Welfare of Animals
2. Protecting the Environment
3. Caring for People
*USAToday 2009 Survey
So…we’re smart people.
How difficult
can making recommendations on
equine welfare really be?
Animal Use & Care Decisions
How did we get to such different places?
Why the Divergence on What
Constitutes Good Welfare?
Our views on
animal welfare
are conditioned
by our personal
knowledge base
and life
experiences.
Unwanted Horse/ Welfare Issues
Complicated by:
Horses as livestock vs. companion animals
Unwanted Horse/ Welfare Issues
Complicated by:
US and Farm Populations: 1900 - 1990
Population (Millions)
300
250
200
1 50
1 00
50
0
1 900
1 91 0
1 920
1 930
1 940
1 950
1 960
Year
US Population
Urbanization
Farm Population
1 97 0
1 980
1 990
Unwanted Horse/ Welfare Issues
Complicated by:
Processing of horses for human consumption
Unwanted Horse/ Welfare Issues
Complicated by:
Aggressive campaign by animal activist groups
Unwanted Horse/ Welfare Issues
Complicated by:
America’s Most Beloved Animals*
American Public’s love affair with the horse
*Kellert, S.R., American Attitudes Toward and Knowledge of Animals: An Update, 1980
Welfare ViewAnimal Related Businesses
Welfare is important—they
care for animals, but………
•Production efficiencies
•Cost
•Competitive pressures
•Return on investment
•Tradition (habituation)
May view animals as
instruments for human use
Often viewed as ‘cold’ or ‘uncaring by the
public
Another Viewpoint:
Animal Protection Activists
Many not familiar with
animal industries and animal
care practices
Most driven by genuine desire
to make sure animals are used
appropriately
Use celebrities and emotion to
carry message
But………their organizations
need to survive/ raise money
Another Viewpoint:
Public Officials
Come from all walks of
life/experiences
Most not familiar with animal
use industries and animal
care
But………they need to be reelected/appointed
Tremendous potential for
stakeholder influence
Another Welfare Viewpoint:
The Public
Urbanization
Animals move from utility to
companions
Pet “parents” vs. owners
Are moderate animal rights
advocates
Vision of animal welfare similar
to their own, personal welfare
Want a voice in protecting
animals……..but not sure what
that means
What Resonates With The Public
What Resonates With The Public
small, Amish/Mennonite, family farms
eggs gathered by hand
allowed to roam freely
fed a vegetarian diet
Unwanted Horses
“Horses which are no longer
wanted by their current owner
because they are old, injured, sick,
unmanageable, or fail to meet their
owner’s expectations.”*
*AAEP hosted Unwanted Horse meeting, 2005
Unwanted Horse Contributing
Factors*




Downturn in the economy
Closing of nation’s processing
facilities
High cost of euthanasia/ carcass
disposal
Indiscriminate breeding
*UHC’s National Assessment Study of Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue, 2009.
www.unwantedhorsecoalition.com
Demographics of the
“Unwanted” Horse

Generally horses:







Old
Incurably lame
Behavioral problems
Dangerous
Un-adoptable feral horses (mustangs)
Fail to meet owner’s expectations
 Unattractive
 Not athletic
 Unmarketable
 Wrong color (no color)
 Cost too much to care for
Normal, healthy horses of various ages
and breeds
Unwanted Horse Demographics*
Most likely to be sold





Show or competition horse
Failed to meet expectations
Quarter Horse; Paint; Thoroughbred
3-10 years of age
45% mares; 48% geldings
Most likely to be donated





Race horse
Failed to meet expectations
Thoroughbred; Quarter Horse
6-20 years of age
33% mares; 63% geldings
*UHC’s National Assessment Study of Contributing Factors Surrounding the
Unwanted Horse Issue, 2009 www.unwantedhorsecoalition.com
Unwanted Horse Demographics*
Most likely to be euthanized





Recreational; riding horse
Horse old or terminal
illness/injury
Quarter Horse; Thoroughbred;
Arabian
10-21+ years
55% geldings; 42% mares
*UHC’s National Assessment Study of Contributing Factors Surrounding the
Unwanted Horse Issue, 2009
Number of “Unwanted” Horses
~44,721 exported to Canada for
processing in 2014*
~105,339 exported to Mexico for
processing in 2014*
Total = 150,060
Up from 138,845 in 2013
Others?
Native American herds?
Neglected, abandoned, abused?
*USDA, Veterinary Services
Horse Processing Numbers
Horse Processing Numbers
Recent Years
Canada
Mexico
TOTAL

2010 -
68,914
52,580
121,494

2011 -
66,254
68,429
134,683

2012 -
57,749
110,202
167,951

2013 -
36,591
102,254
138,845

2014 -
44,721
105,339
150,060
Top Indexing Solutions for Unwanted Horse*

Reopen U.S. processing plants.

Educate owners to breed, purchase, & own
responsibly.

Increase ability of private rescue/retirement
facilities to care for unwanted horses.

Increase options & resources to euthanize &
dispose of unwanted horses.
*UHC’s National Assessment Study of Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted
Horse Issue, 2009
Processing of Horses for Human Consumption
State laws closed all three U.S. plants in 2007
Cavel International
*(De Kalb)
Beltex
(Fort Worth) **Dallas Crown
(Kaufman)
USDA Transport Requirements
1996 Farm Bill gave USDA
responsibility for regulating
commercial transport of
horses to slaughter & ensures:





Each horse is fit for travel
Horses provided food, water and rest prior to loading on
vehicles
Each horse has enough floor space to avoid injury or
discomfort.
Stallions or aggressive horses are completely
segregated
Transport documents certify the date, time and place
the equine(s) were loaded on conveyance.
Horse Transportation Studies
Temple Grandin Study (CSU-1999)

63 trailer loads arriving at U.S. processing plants




92% arrived in good condition
7.7% had welfare issues
 Poor Body Condition
 Foot & limb problems
 Lacerations
Fighting was major cause of injuries during shipment
77% of welfare issues were due to neglect or abuse
by owner
Caroline Stull Study (UC-Davis-1999)


29.9% injury rate in double-decker trailers
8% injury rate in straight trailers
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Report – June 2011
HORSE WELFARE: Action Needed to Address
Unintended Consequences from Cessation of
Domestic Slaughter

Findings




Closing plants reduced price of lower-to-medium
priced horses by 8-21%
No affect on higher priced horses
Economic downturn reduced prices on all horses
by 4-5%
Recommended options for action


Return regulation and inspection of horses for
slaughter in the US
Permanently and completely outlaw the use of
horses for food animals
Federal Welfare Legislation
1996 Farm Bill amended in 2006
 Phased out double deck trailers for transport of slaughter horses
 Expanded in 2011
Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2013 (SAFE Act)
 H.R. 1094—Rep. Pat Meehan (R-PA) 4/2/2013
 S. 541 – Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) 3/13/2013
Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2015
 H.R. 1282 – Rep. (D-TN-9) 3/4/2015
 Prohibits the transport of all horses in a vehicle that contains two or
more levels
2014 Farm Appropriations Bill
 Restricts processing plant USDA inspections
Racing in the 1970s:
a great decade with three
Triple Crown winners, but also…
Seattle Slew
Secretariat
Affirmed
Breakdown of a champion filly
during 1975 TV broadcast of match
race
Early public awareness of
racehorse welfare concerns.
Three more breakdowns
seen on TV
1990: Go for Wand
2006: Barbaro
2008: Eight Belles
Racing in today’s culture*

Reduced popularity



Lower # starts, # race
days, handle, attendance
Aging fan base
Public concern about
medications,
breakdowns

Questions about drugs in
all sports
*Ann Dwyer. DVM
MedicationGeneral public believes:



Drugs = cheating
Drugs = performance
enhancement
Drugs = breakdowns
AAEP white papers
http://www.aaep.org/equine_welfare.htm
MedicationThe AAEP supports:

Uniform medication rules


Uniform testing procedures


RMTC Certified labs
Uniform penalties


based on science
strict punishment for repeat
offenses or prohibited
substances
Allowing Salix on race day

therapeutic medication for EIPH
Came Together in 2013
Challenges



Many trainers, some
veterinarians, want
permissive medication
There are 38 racing
jurisdictions
Public cannot
differentiate between
therapeutic
medications and
performance
enhancing drugs
Challenges



Injuries are
multifactorial
Science on ways to
reduce them is limited
Breakdowns will
NEVER be completely
eliminated
Other initiatives

NYRWB Task Force looked
at Racehorse Health and
Safety at Aqueduct



New York Racing Emergency
Rules
California Racing Safety
Program

Necropsy of all fatalities

Track safety program
Research

Grayson Jockey Club

Numerous university projects
America’s Wild Horses:
The BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program
In 1971, Congress
passed the Wild FreeRoaming Horses and
Burros Act.



Goal (with 4 subsequent
amendments) is to
ensure that healthy herds
thrive on healthy range
lands
Program protects,
manages and controls
our population of wild
horses and burros
Management includes
reducing wild herd
numbers
BLM WH&B Mission is two fold


Healthy Ranges
Healthy Horses
Not a simple
task!
BLM Herd Management
 Herd Management Areas
(HMAs) sustainability
reviewed by BLM
 Herd reduction strategies
 Fertility management
• PZP vaccine
• Gender ratio adjustment
 Gathers-planned removals
BLM WH&B Program Today
The BLM Wild Horse
and Burro Program
began as an
adoption program,
but has evolved into
a welfare program.
BLM Horse & Burro Numbers
16,160 feral horses& burros in
BLM adoption pipeline*

$8,152/
horse if adopted
33,608 un-adoptable feral horses
& burros in BLM funded
sanctuaries*

$45 K lifetime care/horse, if not
adopted

$46.2/ $72 Mio budget spent each year
to house

≈48,726 horses & burros on the
range today*

26,700
- estimated range capacity
*Bureau of Land Management, 2014
Wild Horse & Burro Locations
Nearly half (>20,000) reside
in Nevada
>4000 in CA, AZ,
>3500 in WY, UT
Small #s in OR, MT, NM, ID, CO
Other Feral Horses
≈50,000
horses on non-BLM federal & state land*

Not protected by “Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act”, 1971

Land Managed by:
 U.S. Fish & Wildlife
 U.S. Park Service
 Department of Defense
 U.S. Forest Service
*Bureau of Land Management
1,000,000
Population Growth w/o Gathers and
Population Control Measures
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
Population Number
AML
0
80
Historical On-Range, Off-Range,
Removal & Adoption Numbers
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
On-Range Population
48,624
45,414
38,815
37,186
37,135
31,760
31,206
28,563
33,105
36,940
38,365
38,497
37,294
40,605
48,726
Animals Removed
8,631
13,277
12,029
10,081
9,899
11,023
9,926
7,726
5,275
6,413
10,255
8,877
8,522
4,178
623
Off-Range Population
6,086
9,807
14,368
17,879
20,474
23,337
27,195
29,247
31,048
31,639
34,979
40,589
46,429
49,088
47,942
Animals Adopted
6,192
7,630
7,746
6,165
6,644
5,701
5,172
4,772
3,706
3,474
3,074
2,844
2,583
2,671
731
81
Some Older Horses Are Trained
A few of the mature
horses (6-11 years) go to
Prison Programs.



Receive 4 months
training with an
experienced trainer
Inmates taught
horsemanship
Auction at end
One of The Most Successful Programs
Some go to the
“Extreme Mustang
Makeover”



Run by the Mustang
Heritage Foundation
Trained by prominent
trainers for a season
Over 2000 sold or
adopted from program
since 2007
BLM Fertility Reduction Efforts
Porcine Zona Pellucida
vaccines to prevent
pregnancy
$250/mare, Must capture,
vaccinate and release
NOT 100% effective.
Blocks conception up to 2 years
Gender ratio adjustment
Release more males than
females
Alternative Fertility Control




Castrate stallions > 6 years of age
Spay mares > 6 years of age
Return to the range
Requirements by activist groups



Not influence social behavior
Have no debilitating side effects on the health of the
horse
Effects are reversible
Soring of Tennessee Walking Horses
Brief History of the Big Lick
1940’s-50’s—TW surged in
popularity, esp. in South
“Big Lick”—everyone
wanted it!
1950’s-60’s—Short cuts
developed >> Soring
Shoes, weights, pads
Chains
Caustic chemicals
Shortcuts = SORING



Application, insertion or
injection of any substance or
material on or into a limb, or
manipulation of the limb that
causes pain, distress,
inflammation or lameness.
Can be done with chemicals,
shoes, pads, chains, or other
hardware alone or in
combination.
Can also be done with hoof
shaping.
Signs of soring





Standing with feet close,
shifting weight to hind legs
Irritated, scarred or dark
skin on pasterns
Resistance of hoof
handling or pastern
palpation
Lying down a lot,
reluctance to rise
Difficulty walking, “praying
mantis” gait
“Performance Packages”

Pads, “stacks”, bolts, or
heel springs affixed to
hoof




Pads up to 4” at heel, 2”
at toe
Often weighted
Strapped on by metal
bands
Currently (2015)
unregulated
Chemical Irritants



Caustic chemicals applied
to pastern; chains increase
pain.
 Pain causes
exaggerated gait
rewarded in show ring
Kerosene, diesel. mustard
or croton oil, hand cleaner,
WD 40, etc.
Illegal, but in widespread
use
“Action Devices”

Chains or rollers




Steel, aluminum, wood
Circle front pasterns
Cause pain when very
heavy or if skin is
inflamed
Currently (2015) one
per limb allowed

Must be < 6 ounces
Physical soring




Trimming down to
sensitive sole or
removing supporting
hoof wall
Inducing laminitis
Adding weight to pads,
or inserting hard
objects between pad
and sole
Over tightening of
bands holding
“packages”
Horse Protection Act
(HPA)


1970: Horse Protection Act

Soring ILLEGAL, fines set

Soring not allowed in shows,
sales or exhibits
1976: HPA amendment

DQP program

USDA oversight of DQPs

DQPs licensed by HIO (horse
industry orgs)
More history…

2006: Swabbing begins



-high # positives found.
2008: AAEP white paper on
“Ending Soring”*
2010: USDA Office of Atty G.
reports HPA oversight
inadequate.


Faults DQP “self policing” program.
2012: Video of abuse goes viral


Escalates public concern
Big fines, criminal indictment of
trainer
* AAEP Paper: http://www.aaep.org/equine_welfare.htm
Current Situation
A sored gait is still
rewarded in the show
ring.


8-9% of all horses at 2011 &
2012 Celebrations cited
Industry has failed to
police itself.


Uncooperative with USDA
enforcement efforts
Strong effort across horse
industry/veterinary
community to stop it
April 2013: “PAST” ACT—HR 1518
”Prevent All Soring Tactics”
If passed, HR 1518 would amend the
HPA to:

BAN “Performance packages”
(weighted shoes, wedges, hoof bands)

BAN “Action devices”
Rules would apply only to
Tennessee Walkers, Spotted
Saddle horses and Racking
horses
Other Pending Federal Legislation
Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2013
 H.R. 1528—Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR)
 S. 1171 – Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS)
 Signed into Law – July 2014
Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2013 (PAST act)
 H.R. 1518 – Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY)
 S. 1406 – Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013
 H.R. 2012 – Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA)
 S. 973 – Sen. Tom Udall (R-NM)
GovTrack.us
Show Ring Ethics &
Unacceptable Training Techniques
AQHA Welfare Commission Created


Definition of Abuse: Any excessive
and/or repetitive action to cause obvious
distress or discomfort to a horse.
Structure for Fines and Penalties to
address abuse and unsportsmanlike
conduct
Detrimental Genetic Diseases
Will we eliminate them?

Arabians:


American Paints:


Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyosis (REB)
Saddlebreds


PSSM 1&2, Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), “Shivers”
Thoroughbreds


HYPP, PSSM 1&2, HERDA, GBED, OLWS (21.3% Carriers)
Belgians:


LFS (CCDL), Cerebral Arbiotrophy (CA), SCID (17% Carriers)
JEB
Quarter Horses

HYPP, PSSM 1 & 2, GBED, HERDA, MH, OLWS
Horse Owner Demographics
The proportion of horse owners 18-34 has declined 15% from
2009 to 2013



18-34 Year olds (11%)
 34% Western
 25% English
 39% Both
35-54 Year olds (42%)
 47% Western
 16% English
 29% Both
55 Years plus (47%)
 53% Western
 14% English
 24% Both
*Brakke Equine Marketing Mega Study, 2014
Declining Horse Owner Numbers



Declining horse ownership
Declining Youth participation
So………….how do we revitalize the industry
and attract new owners?
CURRENT TRENDS IN THE
HORSE INDUSTRY
DISCUSSION & QUESTIONS