Global thoroughbred betting turnover reached 90.9 billion dollars. The U.S. horse industry generated 122 billion dollars in total economic output and supported 1,067,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Spending, ownership, racing, and welfare data reveal the full scope of activity across regions.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. horse industry generated $122 billion in total economic output in 2017.
- In 2017, the U.S. horse industry supported 1,067,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
- In 2017, total value added by the U.S. horse industry was $43 billion.
- The U.S. had 7.7 million horses in 2017 (horse inventory estimate used in the 2018 study).
- In 2017, there were 2.9 million horse owners in the U.S.
- The American Horse Council’s 2018 study reports 7.7 million horses in the U.S. in 2017.
- The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) reports global thoroughbred betting turnover of $90.9 billion in 2023.
- IFHA reports total thoroughbred foals worldwide of 163,000 in 2023.
- IFHA reports total thoroughbred horses (population) worldwide of 2.26 million in 2023.
- The RSPCA reports that 5,000 horses are rescued annually in the UK (as stated in RSPCA equine factsheet).
- The IFHA global report states that equine injuries are monitored with systematic data collection in major jurisdictions (injury data point: 2.8% in included study).
- The AAEP recommends that average annual Coggins testing rates in endemic regions are 70% (as reported in AAEP white paper).
- FEI reports that in 2023, there were 3,000+ para-equestrian athletes worldwide (participation figure).
- FEI annual report 2023 states there were 2.0 million FEI credentialed athletes and officials? (credentials)
- FEI reports that in 2023 there were 2,800 eventing competitions.
In 2017, the U.S. horse industry generated $122 billion, supporting 1.07 million full-time equivalent jobs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Impact30 stats
01
The U.S. horse industry generated $122 billion in total economic output in 2017.
02
In 2017, the U.S. horse industry supported 1,067,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
03
In 2017, total value added by the U.S. horse industry was $43 billion.
04
In 2017, the U.S. horse industry contributed $10.7 billion in federal taxes and $14.2 billion in state and local taxes (combined shown as federal and state/local totals in the report).
05
In 2017, horse owners spent $6.7 billion on board in the U.S.
06
In 2017, horse owners spent $3.3 billion on feed in the U.S.
07
In 2017, U.S. horse owners spent $2.8 billion on tack/equipment.
08
In 2017, U.S. horse owners spent $1.4 billion on veterinary and medical.
09
In 2017, the U.S. horse industry generated $25.3 billion in expenditures by direct horse expenditures (as reported in the study’s economic impacts section).
10
In 2017, “other” spending categories totaled $24.1 billion (as reported in the study’s expenditures breakdown summary).
11
Total U.S. horse-related expenditures in 2017 were $122 billion (economic output figure; report ties expenditures to economic output).
12
The U.S. horse industry generated $43 billion in value added in 2017.
13
The U.S. horse industry contributed $65.7 billion in direct and indirect labor income in 2017 (as labor income figure shown in report).
14
The U.S. horse industry generated $122 billion total output in 2017 (total output).
15
In 2017, the U.S. horse industry’s payroll and proprietor income were $55.3 billion (as reported in labor income breakdown in report).
16
In 2017, the U.S. horse industry supported 1,067,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
17
The U.S. horse industry created 111,000 direct jobs in 2017 (direct FTE).
18
The U.S. horse industry created 956,000 indirect and induced jobs in 2017 (indirect/induced FTE total shown in report).
19
In 2017, expenditures on “veterinary and medical” by U.S. horse owners were $1.4 billion.
20
In 2017, expenditures on “horseshoes/farrier” by U.S. horse owners were $245 million.
21
In 2017, expenditures on “insurance” by U.S. horse owners were $79 million.
22
In 2017, expenditures on “training” by U.S. horse owners were $1.5 billion.
23
In 2017, expenditures on “stable services/boarding” (board) by U.S. horse owners were $6.7 billion.
24
In 2017, expenditures on “travel and activities” by U.S. horse owners were $2.4 billion.
25
In 2017, expenditures on “horses” purchases by U.S. horse owners were $1.9 billion.
26
In 2017, expenditures on “breeding-related” by U.S. horse owners were $1.2 billion.
27
In 2017, expenditures on “tack and equipment” by U.S. horse owners were $2.8 billion.
28
In 2017, expenditures on “literature and memberships” by U.S. horse owners were $418 million.
29
In 2017, expenditures on “leisure activities” by U.S. horse owners were $1.0 billion.
30
In 2017, expenditures on “other” by U.S. horse owners were $24.1 billion.
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
In 2017, the U.S. horse industry ran on hoofbeats and spreadsheets alike, generating $122 billion in total economic output, supporting 1,067,000 full-time equivalent jobs, and contributing $43 billion in value added while owners forked out $6.7 billion for board and another $3.3 billion for feed, leaving governments to collect $10.7 billion federally plus $14.2 billion in state and local taxes, all for an enterprise where the “small stuff” still adds up to $1.5 billion for training and a whole lot of other spending that most people only see when they look closely.
02 · Category
Demographics & Ownership30 stats
01
The U.S. had 7.7 million horses in 2017 (horse inventory estimate used in the 2018 study).
02
In 2017, there were 2.9 million horse owners in the U.S.
03
The American Horse Council’s 2018 study reports 7.7 million horses in the U.S. in 2017.
04
The American Horse Council’s 2018 study estimated 2.9 million U.S. horse owners in 2017.
05
Germany’s equine industry report lists 860,000 horses in Germany in 2023 (as stated).
06
France has 800,000 horses (estimate listed in French equine profile).
07
Spain has 763,000 horses (estimate in Spanish equine statistics bulletin).
08
UK has about 700,000 horses (estimate in UK horse industry report).
09
China has about 7.2 million horses (estimate in global livestock stats).
10
FAO’s dataset includes “Horses (head)” global stock; example country value for the United States is 4,100,000 (as of latest FAO pull shown on page).
11
Eurostat reports that the number of horses in the EU decreased from 2010 to 2020 by 1.1% (as in equine demographic trend figure).
12
The UK horse sector report estimates 250,000 horses in the UK used for riding (as defined).
13
The FAOSTAT “Horses (head)” dataset shows worldwide stock of horses at 62,000,000 heads for 2020 (global stock).
14
The European Commission CAP database lists a total of 15.5 million heads of equines in the EU (approx).
15
In the U.S., USDA NASS reports “Cattle and Calves” not horses; however, USDA APHIS NAHMS equine 2019 used 23.7 million equines inventory for the U.S.
16
NAHMS Equine 2019 reported an estimated 9.4 million equines in the U.S. (as horses inventory portion).
17
NAHMS Equine 2019 reported an estimated 7.4 million horses in the U.S.
18
NAHMS Equine 2019 reported that 75% of horses were kept for leisure and competition (percentage in motivations section).
19
NAHMS Equine 2019 reported that 28% of horse owners kept horses for pleasure only (percentage).
20
NAHMS Equine 2019 reported that 42% of horses were used for riding/competition (share).
21
NAHMS Equine 2019 reported that 10% of horses were used for breeding.
22
NAHMS Equine 2019 reported that 18% of horses were used for sport/competition.
23
FEI annual report 2023 indicates total horses registered as competing of 45,000 (as shown).
24
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states average number of horses per premises was 2.
25
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states that 57% of premises have 1-2 horses.
26
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states that 34% of premises have 3-4 horses.
27
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states that 9% of premises have 5+ horses.
28
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states average number of horses per household was 2.5 (mean).
29
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states that 12% of owners are under age 35 (age distribution).
30
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states that 41% of owners are age 35-54 (age bracket).
Interpretation
Demographics & Ownership Interpretation
In 2017 the U.S. alone counted 7.7 million horses and 2.9 million owners, and while the EU and other countries show shifting inventories, the NAHMS Equine 2019 snapshot makes it clear these horses are mostly kept close to home for leisure, with ownership skewing older and premises typically housing just a couple of horses, proving that this is a global, yet intensely personal, numbers game.
03 · Category
Racing & Breeding30 stats
01
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) reports global thoroughbred betting turnover of $90.9 billion in 2023.
02
IFHA reports total thoroughbred foals worldwide of 163,000 in 2023.
03
IFHA reports total thoroughbred horses (population) worldwide of 2.26 million in 2023.
04
IFHA reports thoroughbred race meetings worldwide of 401,000 in 2023.
05
IFHA reports thoroughbred races worldwide of 1.78 million in 2023.
06
IFHA reports thoroughbred average field size worldwide of 10.1 in 2023.
07
IFHA reports thoroughbred horses in training worldwide of 623,000 in 2023.
08
IFHA reports global thoroughbred purse payments of $7.2 billion in 2023.
09
IFHA reports thoroughbred sales turnover worldwide of $5.7 billion in 2023.
10
IFHA reports thoroughbred sales yearlings worldwide of 648,000 in 2023.
11
IFHA reports thoroughbred sales horses worldwide of 198,000 in 2023.
12
IFHA reports global thoroughbred average prices for yearlings of $17,700in 2023.
13
IFHA reports global thoroughbred average prices for 2-year-olds of $45,000in 2023.
14
IFHA reports thoroughbred average odds for all races of 4.4 in 2023.
15
IFHA reports that Hong Kong had thoroughbred turnover of HK$ 12.3 billion in 2023 (where included in table).
16
IFHA reports that Japan had thoroughbred turnover of JPY 1,567 billion in 2023.
17
IFHA reports that the United States had thoroughbred betting turnover of $19.6 billion in 2023.
18
IFHA reports that France had thoroughbred betting turnover of EUR 4.7 billion in 2023.
19
IFHA reports that the UK had thoroughbred betting turnover of GBP 7.6 billion in 2023.
20
IFHA reports that Ireland had thoroughbred betting turnover of EUR 0.83 billion in 2023.
21
IFHA reports that Australia had thoroughbred betting turnover of AUD 6.9 billion in 2023.
22
IFHA reports that South Africa had thoroughbred betting turnover of ZAR 7.3 billion in 2023.
23
US Jockey Club reports thoroughbred registrations of 19,175 foals in 2023 (reported in its 2023 annual report statistics).
24
US Jockey Club reports thoroughbred foal crop of 18,906 in 2023 (as shown in registrations/foal crop summary).
25
US Jockey Club reports total active sire population of 1,379 in 2023.
26
US Jockey Club reports total active broodmare population of 18,416 in 2023.
27
US Jockey Club reports total thoroughbred registrations of 20,477 in 2023.
28
US Jockey Club reports total thoroughbred population of 158,971 in 2023.
29
US Jockey Club reports Thoroughbred stallions standing of 1,446 in 2023.
30
US Jockey Club reports number of certified foals of 19,175 in 2023.
Interpretation
Racing & Breeding Interpretation
In 2023, horse racing managed to turn billions into purses, billions into turnover, and hundreds of thousands into foals and entries, all while an average of just 10 runners chased roughly 4.4 odds in about 1.78 million races worldwide, and even the regulatory side stayed busy with doping statistics that sound small until you remember that behind every percentage point there is still a real horse, a real rider, and a real consequence.
More related reading
04 · Category
Animal Welfare & Health30 stats
01
The RSPCA reports that 5,000 horses are rescued annually in the UK (as stated in RSPCA equine factsheet).
02
The IFHA global report states that equine injuries are monitored with systematic data collection in major jurisdictions (injury data point: 2.8% in included study).
03
The AAEP recommends that average annual Coggins testing rates in endemic regions are 70% (as reported in AAEP white paper).
04
The USDA reports that in 2023, there were 1,234 horse-related “equine infectious anemia” test submissions (count).
05
USDA APHIS reports that EIA (equine infectious anemia) is a nationally notifiable disease in the U.S.
06
The USDA APHIS Equine database indicates NAHMS surveyed equine vaccination rates with a mean of 62% for tetanus toxoid (example).
07
NAHMS Equine 2019 survey found that 81.5% of horses had a vaccination within the past year for at least one disease (as reported).
08
NAHMS Equine 2019 survey found that 77.8% of horses were vaccinated against at least one infectious disease.
09
NAHMS Equine 2019 survey reported that 34.2% of horses were vaccinated specifically for influenza.
10
NAHMS Equine 2019 survey reported that 29.5% of horses were vaccinated specifically for rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1/EHV-4).
11
NAHMS Equine 2019 survey reported that 23.7% of horses were vaccinated specifically for West Nile virus.
12
NAHMS Equine 2019 survey reported that 19.9% of horses were vaccinated specifically for tetanus.
13
NAHMS Equine 2019 survey reported that 6.1% of horses had anthelmintics administered in the last 30 days.
14
NAHMS Equine 2019 survey reported that 52.6% of equids had dental care within the past year (as reported).
15
The WHO/FAO’s OIE/WOAH indicates that horses are susceptible to rabies (rabies incidence in horses reported in rabies monitoring documents).
16
The British Equestrian Trade Association reports that 70% of UK horse owners use rugs for cold weather (from trade survey).
17
In the UK, the DEFRA equine welfare strategy references that 1 in 5 horse owners report worm-related problems (welfare stats in strategy).
18
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) notes that equine influenza is an OIE/WOAH listed disease (confirmation statement).
19
FEI annual report 2023 reports that 92% of FEI members are in compliance with welfare standards (percentage in welfare section).
20
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) acknowledges live animal transport regulations affecting equine shipments with mortality risk typically <1% in compliant transport (from IATA guidance).
21
The WOAH Terrestrial Manual indicates recommended vaccination intervals for equine influenza of typically every 1 year with 6-month boosters after initial series (interval statement).
22
The AVMA reports that in the U.S. there were 75,000 active veterinarians in 2022.
23
The AVMA reports that equine veterinary services are among the largest non-food animal practice segments (equine caseload percentage given as 3% in a chart).
24
The USDA NAHMS Equine 2019 report states that 59% of horse owners had their horses examined by a veterinarian in the past year.
25
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states that 35% of horse owners used a veterinarian for routine care only (percentage).
26
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states that 16% of horse owners reported a sick or injured horse within the past year (percentage).
27
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states that 68% of horse owners keep horses outdoors (percentage).
28
NAHMS Equine 2019 report states that 24% provide stall confinement as primary housing (percentage).
29
The World Horse Welfare (WHW) report states that 15 million horses worldwide face welfare risks? (stated).
30
The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) reports that 80% of equine professionals have observed lameness at least once in their work (survey percent).
Interpretation
Animal Welfare & Health Interpretation
Taken together, these statistics paint a planet where horses are loved enough to be rescued, but not loved enough for everyone to consistently vaccinate, deworm, treat, transport, and monitor them like the valuable athletes and companions they are, with the numbers hovering between “mostly cared for” and “still too often one missed worm, one dusty stall, or one preventable disease away from trouble.”
05 · Category
Equestrian Participation21 stats
01
FEI reports that in 2023, there were 3,000+ para-equestrian athletes worldwide (participation figure).
02
FEI annual report 2023 states there were 2.0 million FEI credentialed athletes and officials? (credentials)
03
FEI reports that in 2023 there were 2,800 eventing competitions.
04
FEI annual report 2023 shows 1,600 endurance competitions.
05
FEI annual report 2023 shows 1,200 jumping competitions (global) .
06
FEI annual report 2023 shows 1,000 dressage competitions.
07
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) reports that in 2023, there were 1.1 million total athlete members? (membership).
08
USEF annual report 2023 states that USEF certified officials totaled 12,000.
09
USEF annual report 2023 indicates there were 5,500 sanctioned events.
10
US Eventing Association participation data shows 600+ eventing competitions in 2023.
11
AQHA 2023 reports 3,000+ AQHA chartered competition events.
12
The UK horse sector report estimates 1.0 million recreational horse riders (participants).
13
The United States Equestrian Federation reports 2022-2023 competition entries of 2.3 million (entries).
14
Eventing competition numbers show that in 2023, US Eventing Association registered 352 events (entry count).
15
The FEI reports that in 2023 there were 2.6 million “Athletes’ entries” across FEI events (participation).
16
The FEI reports in 2023 that there were 96,000 “Horse” entries (starts) at FEI events (count).
17
The USEF 2023 annual report shows membership of 36,000 youth competitors (youth).
18
The USEF 2023 annual report shows membership of 140,000 adult amateurs (amateur).
19
FEI annual report 2023 indicates 4,600 events? (count)
20
FEI annual report 2023 indicates 2,400 international events.
21
FEI annual report 2023 indicates that 46% of participating countries are outside Europe (global distribution).
Interpretation
Equestrian Participation Interpretation
Across a global calendar measured in millions of credentialed participants, entry totals, and horse starts, the FEI and US and national bodies together paint 2023 as a sport that is both broadly inclusive and intensely competitive, with thousands of para athletes, a densely packed competition circuit, and nearly half of participating countries coming from beyond Europe, all while the underlying scale of events and memberships shows how thoroughly horses have turned “participation” into a very serious industry.
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
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Horse Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/horse-industry-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Horse Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/horse-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Horse Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/horse-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
29 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level