Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association
Posted: June 5, 2017
The American Horse Council Foundation continues to seek participation in the National Economic Impact Study, and on June 5 will activate an online survey link to facilitate the project.
The survey link will be available through Aug. 1.
“The national survey link will initially be distributed through equine organizations such as the American Quarter Horse Association, United States Equestrian Federation, Certified Horsemanship Association, American Paint Horse Association, and more,” AHC President Julie Broadway said. “We hope everyone that receives the survey link will participate. This is an opportunity to showcase how important the vast equine industry is to the United States economy, and the more horse owners, breeders, riders, trainers, racetracks, shows, rodeos and other industry suppliers that participate, the better the data will be that is included in the final results.”
The 2017 economic impact study will contain expanded demographics with youth participation and additional segments of the industry, including equine assisted activities and therapies, equine sanctuaries and rescues, equine academic programs, and equine youth organizations. Representatives of the institutions and organizations, along with equine competition organizers, will be receiving targeted and individualized surveys.
The main survey is designed to capture the impact of individual horse owners–whether commercial or recreational–and industry suppliers of equine-related goods and services. A separate data request is being sent directly to racetracks, off-track betting facilities and advance deposit wagering providers.
The surveys were designed by the Innovation Group and a supporting team of equine industry leaders. They were further vetted by key industry stakeholders as well as a steering committee composed of AHC staff and others.
The 2005 economic impact study established that the horse industry in all its segments, including racing, showing, and recreation had a $39 billion effect on the United States economy, involved more than four million Americans and 9.2 million horses, and supported 1.4 million full-time jobs. The study provided invaluable demographic data and insights into professions and other industries that are impacted by equine ownership, as well as proved to be extremely helpful to the industry’s efforts in documenting its size, diversity and economic importance to public officials, the press and other media.
Anyone who doesn’t receive the survey link after June 15t and would like to participate should email economicimpactstudy@horsecouncil.org to receive the link. All personal information collected in the survey will be confidential and will not be distributed.
(Getty Images photo)