Sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research, Merck Animal Health, and Pfizer Animal Health
American Horse Publications (AHP) conducted its second online nationwide equine industry survey from March 5th, 2012, through May 20th, 2012. The objectives of second survey were to gauge participation trends and management practices in the U.S. equine industry, to identify critical issues facing the equine industry as perceived by those who own or manage horses, and to better understand issues pertaining to horse health and nutrition. Upon the conclusion of the survey, 10,539 usable responses were collected. The survey was limited to men and women, 18 years of age and older, who currently own or manage 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. 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.
Dr. C. Jill Stowe, an associate professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky, provided consultation and data analysis services. “The equine industry continues to face many challenges,” stated Dr. Stowe, “but it appears that the industry is beginning to recover from the great recession of 2008, as indicated by the percentage of respondents participating in the industry, either through owning/managing horses or competing with them, at the same or greater levels than two years ago.”
“We are thrilled with the cooperation of our members and the industry in participating in this survey,” said Christine W. Brune, AHP Executive Director. “This was an important project for American Horse Publications, and demonstrated that our association can provide vital statistics for the equine industry through the power of the media.”
The files below summarize the results from the six main sections of the survey: demographics, horse ownership, horsekeeping costs, issues facing the equine industry, horse nutrition, and horse health care.
2012 AHP Equine Industry Survey Report [pdf]
2012 AHP Equine Industry Survey Summary Statistics-protected [xls, 518KB]
2012 AHP Equine Industry Survey Supplemental Charts-protected [xlsx, 1.06mb]
Excerpts from this study must be referenced as 2012 AHP Equine Industry Survey sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research, Merck 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.