Sponsored by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and Pfizer Animal Health
American Horse Publications (AHP) conducted an online nationwide survey, called the AHP Equine Industry, from October 15th, 2009, through January 31st, 2010. Upon its conclusion on January 31st, 11,171 usable responses were collected. This completed the largest-ever equine industry survey of hands-on horse industry participants in the United States.[1] Potential respondents were made aware of the survey through online and print notifications from AHP members as well as via social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter.
The survey was limited to men and women, 18 years of age and older, who currently own, manage, or lease at least one horse and live in the United States. This study was anonymous, meaning no one, not even members of the research team, are able to associate survey information with responses.
Dr. C. Jill Stowe, an assistant professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky, provided consultation and data analysis services. “This survey shows some good news: Even during current times with a struggling economy, a majority of respondents expect to be able to continue participating in the equine industry at the same level that they are now; some even expect to increase their levels of participation over the next few years,” said Dr. Stowe. “Moreover, many horse handlers will make sacrifices in other areas of their lives to continue their involvement in the equine industry. But even though the majority of respondents will be able to continue their equine-related activities, this does not diminish the potential hardship faced by those individuals, organizations, and regions which expect to experience decreases in participation. Respondents are also clear that the welfare of the horse is of the utmost importance as individuals and policy makers make decisions regarding the future of the equine industry.”
The summary statistics focus on the five main sections of the survey: demographics, horse ownership, horsekeeping costs, issues facing the equine industry, and horse health care. In addition, results identify recent changes as well as expected future changes in applicable categories. The results
2009-2010 Equine Industry Survey Overview [pdf]
2009-2010 AHP Equine Survey Summary Statistics [pdf, 1.15MB]
Excerpts from this study must be referenced as 2009-2010 AHP Equine Industry Survey sponsored by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and Pfizer Animal Health.
For more information about the AHP Equine Industry Survey, contact Chris Brune at ahorsepubs@aol.com or 386-760-7743.
[1] The 1995 NAHMS survey collected responses from 3,349 operations, and the 1998 NAHMS survey collected responses from 2,904 operations. The 2008-2009 American Horse Council Unwanted Horse Survey collected responses from over 23,000 horse owners, non-horse owners, and equine industry stakeholders.