A new survey shows the national economic impact of the equine industry last year, adding an additional $55 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023 than in 2022.
The 2023 American Horse Council National Economic Impact Study shows the equine industry contributed $177 billion to the U.S. economy. That’s up from $122 billion in 2017 and includes tourism, veterinary science and agriculture.
The industry also has a substantial impact on employment with over two million jobs linked either directly or indirectly. This consists of truck drivers, journalists, breeders and of course veterinarians.
There has been a slight decline though in the total population of horses. Over six million horses are in the U.S. now compared to the over seven million reported in 2017.
The study, published in the European Heart Journal, was conducted in 80 countries on all inhabited continents, and challenges advice from previous studies to limit both products.
According to the Economic Resource Agency study, food insecurity has changed widely in the last three years and varied regionally
The study’s findings have sent ripples of concern through communities reliant on the Colorado River for irrigation, highlighting the vulnerability of water resources in the face of climate variability.
