In the US, the equine industry still punches far above its weight with $122 billion in annual economic output and 7.6 billion in yearly tax revenue. Tourism tied to horses adds another $12 billion, yet some of the most compelling figures sit closer to the barn, like colic where 75% of cases are preventable and laminitis affecting 10% to 15% of horses each year. Let’s connect these outcomes to the 7.2 million horses and the 1.7 million jobs that depend on them.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. horse industry contributes $122 billion annually to the economy
- Equine industry generates $7.6 billion in taxes yearly in the US
- Horse-related tourism adds $12 billion to US economy
- Equine industry supports 1.7 million jobs US
- 460,000 full-time equivalent jobs
- 700,000 part-time jobs in equine
- 75% colic cases preventable
- Average horse lifespan 25-30 years
- Laminitis affects 10-15% horses yearly
- US has 7.2 million horses
- 1 in 9 Americans own or interact with horses yearly
- 40% of US horses used for recreation
- Over 4,000 sanctioned horse shows yearly US
- Kentucky Derby attendance 150,000
- Thoroughbred races 50,000 annually US
The US horse industry is a $122 billion economic engine, supporting 1.7 million jobs and helping millions of riders.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Impact29 stats
01
The U.S. horse industry contributes $122 billion annually to the economy
02
Equine industry generates $7.6 billion in taxes yearly in the US
03
Horse-related tourism adds $12 billion to US economy
04
Retail horse goods sales reach $3.3 billion per year
05
Equine services contribute $39 billion to GDP
06
Horse breeding generates $1.5 billion in revenue
07
Racing industry taxes $2.2 billion annually
08
Show and event spending totals $4.5 billion
09
Horse transportation costs $1.2 billion yearly
10
Equine insurance market valued at $800 million
11
Farrier services generate $1.1 billion
12
Horse boarding contributes $10 billion
13
UK equine industry worth £4.7 billion
14
Australian horse industry $6.8 billion GDP contribution
15
Canadian equine sector $19 billion impact
16
Global horse trade valued at $5 billion
17
US horse exports $100 million yearly
18
Equine veterinary services $2.5 billion
19
Horse feed market $8 billion globally
20
Tack and apparel sales $2.8 billion US
21
Equine real estate $15 billion value
22
Gambling on horses $11 billion handle US
23
Sponsorships in equine $500 million
24
Equine tech startups $200 million funding
25
Horse shows prize money $300 million
26
Therapy horse programs $150 million
27
Polo industry $1 billion global
28
Endurance riding economy $400 million
29
Dressage events revenue $250 million
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
In the economic impact category, the US horse industry is a major economic engine, contributing $122 billion annually while also driving $7.6 billion in yearly taxes and adding another $12 billion through horse-related tourism.
02 · Category
Employment23 stats
01
Equine industry supports 1.7 million jobs US
02
460,000 full-time equivalent jobs
03
700,000 part-time jobs in equine
04
Trainers and grooms 200,000 employed
05
Veterinarians 10,000 equine specialists
06
Farriers 25,000 practicing US
07
1.4 million jobs in horse care
08
Racing employs 250,000 directly
09
Show staff and officials 100,000 seasonal
10
Boarding facilities employ 150,000
11
UK equine jobs 120,000
12
Australia 200,000 equine jobs
13
Canada 120,000 jobs
14
Average equine wage $35,000/year
15
60% jobs non-degree required
16
Jockeys 1,000 licensed US
17
Equine therapists 5,000 certified
18
Feed production 50,000 jobs
19
Tack manufacturing 20,000 employed
20
Transport drivers 30,000
21
Event coordinators 15,000
22
Insurance agents equine 5,000
23
Real estate equine specialists 10,000
Interpretation
Employment Interpretation
The equine industry under the Employment category sustains 1.7 million jobs in the US, with a large share coming from 700,000 part-time roles, while key specialized work remains sizable at 200,000 trainers and grooms and 25,000 practicing farriers.
03 · Category
Health And Welfare20 stats
01
75% colic cases preventable
02
Average horse lifespan 25-30 years
03
Laminitis affects 10-15% horses yearly
04
Vaccinations reduce tetanus 90%
05
Dental care needed every 6 months for 80%
06
Obesity in 50% pleasure horses
07
Worming resistance in 40% farms
08
Equine influenza outbreaks 20/year global
09
Retirement sanctuaries house 20,000 US
10
Euthanasia rate 5% annually old horses
11
Hoof care prevents 70% lameness
12
Nutrition deficiencies in 30% diets
13
Strangles incidence 1-2% yearly
14
Cushing's disease in 20% over 15 years
15
Joint supplements used by 60% owners
16
Ultrasound diagnostics 95% accurate
17
Chiropractic benefits 80% performance horses
18
Hydration key prevents 90% exertional rhabdo
19
Biosecurity reduces outbreaks 75%
20
Acupuncture used on 25% show horses
Interpretation
Health And Welfare Interpretation
Health and welfare risks are largely preventable, with 75% of colic cases avoidable and conditions like laminitis affecting 10 to 15% of horses each year, alongside widespread care needs such as dental checkups every six months for 80% and obesity in 50% of pleasure horses.
More related reading
04 · Category
Horse Population27 stats
01
US has 7.2 million horses
02
1 in 9 Americans own or interact with horses yearly
03
40% of US horses used for recreation
04
18% of horses in racing category
05
9 million recreational riders in US
06
Average horse age 14 years
07
30% horses female
08
UK horse population 860,000
09
Australia 400,000 horses
10
Canada 500,000 horses owned
11
Global horse population 60 million
12
25% increase in horse ownership 2000-2016 US
13
2 million horse-owning households US
14
Average horses per owner 3.2
15
50% owners female
16
Youth horse participation 4 million under 18
17
15% horses retired
18
Quarter Horse most common breed 2.8 million US
19
Thoroughbreds 250,000 registered US
20
Arabians 150,000 US
21
20% horses in shows/hunting
22
Farm horses 10% of population
23
Donkeys/mules add 500,000 to US equine
24
35 states have over 100,000 horses each
25
Texas leads with 1 million horses
26
California second with 700,000 horses
27
Florida 500,000 horses
Interpretation
Horse Population Interpretation
With the US home to 7.2 million horses and 40% of them used for recreation, the Horse Population picture is clearly dominated by leisure, supported by 9 million recreational riders and reinforced by the fact that the average horse age is 14 years.
05 · Category
Racing And Events26 stats
01
Over 4,000 sanctioned horse shows yearly US
02
Kentucky Derby attendance 150,000
03
Thoroughbred races 50,000 annually US
04
Harness racing tracks 100 US
05
Rodeo events 2,500/year NFR circuit
06
Dressage competitions 1,200 USDF
07
Jumpers FEI events 600 global
08
Endurance rides 4,000 miles AERC
09
Polo matches 500 clubs US
10
Horse trials/3-day eventing 300 yearly
11
Barrel racing WPRA 1,000 events
12
Reining NRHA shows 500
13
Cutting NCHA events 200 major
14
Grand National UK attendance 70,000
15
Melbourne Cup 100,000 attendees
16
Olympics equestrian viewers 500 million
17
World Equestrian Games 500,000 visitors cumulative
18
Horse trials prize money $10 million US
19
Harness purses $4 billion US
20
Quarter horse races 3,000 dates
21
Therapy riding centers 600 PATH Intl
22
Mustang challenge events 100 yearly
23
Vaulting competitions 200 USFV
24
Driving events ADS 400
25
Gymkhana youth events thousands
26
Racing fatalities 1.5 per 1,000 starts TB
Interpretation
Racing And Events Interpretation
Racing and events in the US are highly active year to year, with over 4,000 sanctioned horse shows annually alongside 50,000 thoroughbred races and major drawdowns like 150,000 for the Kentucky Derby.
report visual · Breakdown
Equine industry: big economic impact across sectors
Multiple parts of the equine sector contribute billions in annual economic value and spending in the US.
60%
60% jobs non-degree required
40%
Worming resistance in 40% farms
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Equine Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/equine-industry-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Equine Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/equine-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Equine Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/equine-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
48 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level