Today, with over 6.9 million horses in the United States (American Horse Council), the horse industry is a vital part of the U.S. economy. In fact, the industry's contribution to the U. S. GDP is greater than that of the motion picture services, railroad, furniture, and tobacco manufacturing industries (American Horse Council).

In 2005, the American Horse Council funded a study that provided statistics that supported evidence that the horse industry is a diverse industry providing jobs, products, commerce, entertainment and recreation on local, state, and national levels.   The study, The Economic Impact of the Horse Indusrty in the United States, was conducted by the Barents Group of Washington, D.C. and the following notes are highlights of the report:

• Economic impact of the horse industry in the U.S.: $112.1billion
• Number of Americans involved in the horse Industry: 7.1million
• Number of full-time jobs provided by the industry: 1.4 million
• Number of horses in the U.S.: 6.9 million
• Total taxes paid by the horse industry: 1.9 billion
• Number of people who own horses: 2.0 million
• Income of horse owners by household: <$50,000   : 34% 
•                                                                                           >$100,000 : 28%
• There are horses in every state with 45 states having at least 20,000 each
• California, Texas, and Florida lead the country in horse ownership and economic impact

These are just a few highlights form the report.  The full report can be purchased from the American Horse Council.  Our equine friends have a major impact on our American lives from the little child taking his/her first pony ride introducing him/her  to a life long love affair to the supportive industries making it all possible.