Data Room · Updated November 2026
The Equestrian Industry, By the Numbers
A single reference page for the macro picture: how big the horse world is, who’s in it, and where the money flows.
6.65M
Horses in the US
AHC 2023 study
1.6M
Horse owners
American Horse Council
$177B
Added to the US economy
AHC 2023 study
2.2M
Jobs supported
AHC 2023 study
U.S. Horse Industry Snapshot
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Horse population (United States) | 6.65 million | AHC 2023 study |
| Population in the 2017 study | 7.2 → 6.65 million | AHC 2023 vs 2017 |
| Horse owners | ~1.6 million | American Horse Council |
| Total economic impact (value added) | $177 billion / yr | AHC 2023 study |
| — of which salaries, wages & benefits | $122 billion / yr | AHC 2023 study |
| — direct value added, six sectors | ~$54.6 billion / yr | AHC 2023 study |
| Jobs supported | 2.2 million | AHC 2023 study |
| Industry volunteers | 2 million | AHC 2023 study |
| Land owned or leased for horse purposes | 12.5 million acres | AHC 2023 study |
| Owners who own or lease their property | 62% | AHC 2023 study |
| Most horses by state | Texas 748,800 · California 477,700 · Florida 344,900 | AHC 2023 study |
| Share of horse use that is recreational riding | 74% | USDA NAHMS |
| Equestrian Canada participants | 855,000+ | Equestrian Canada |
| German active riders | 1.2+ million | German Equestrian Federation (FN) |
| UK regular riders | 3.2 million | British Equestrian Federation |
| UK sector contribution | £8.3 billion | British Equestrian Trade Association |
If you have seen $122 billion quoted as the size of the US horse industry, that figure is from the 2017 study. In the 2023 study the same number now means salaries, wages and benefits alone, and total impact is $177 billion. AHC has commissioned the next study for 2028, so these are the current numbers for at least another cycle.
AHC 2023 vs 2017
Where the $177 Billion Comes From
AHC splits the industry into six sectors. Competition, recreation and racing come out almost exactly equal — which is why “the horse industry” is not a synonym for racing.
| Sector | Total impact | Jobs | Direct value added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | $37.3 billion | 486,820 | $15.6 billion |
| Recreation | $36.7 billion | 466,969 | $14.5 billion |
| Racing | $36.4 billion | 491,232 | $16.0 billion |
| Traditional work horses | $6.4 billion | 86,223 | $2.6 billion |
| Equine-assisted services | $1.55 billion | 14,971 | $810 million |
| Equine rescues & sanctuaries | $325 million | 4,681 | $139 million |
Who Owns Horses — 2025 Owner Survey
The 2025 American Horse Publications survey of 4,000+ horse owners gives the clearest recent demographic picture:
| Finding | 2025 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Owners earning over $100,000/yr | 51% | ▲ up from 42% in 2021 |
| Kept same number of horses as prior year | 75% | — |
| Own/manage fewer horses | 15% | — |
| Own/manage more horses | 10% | — |
| Would pay up to $50 for a telemedicine consult | 43% | Emerging channel |
| Horses vaccinated by their veterinarian | 67% | — |
The #1 owner concern in 2025 is the cost of horsekeeping — ahead of land use and vet access. That’s exactly why HorseLife exists.
AHP 2025 Owner Survey
Equestrian Retail Market
Global market for equestrian products & supplies, with forecast:
| Market | 2025 | 2034 (F) | CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global equestrian products & supplies | $6.8B | $11.4B | 5.9% |
| — North America share | $2.33B (34.2%) | ~5.3% CAGR | — |
| — Europe share | 31.5% | ~5.1% CAGR | — |
| — Asia-Pacific (fastest growing) | 15.4% | 8.1% CAGR | — |
| US e-commerce share of equestrian sales | 38% | vs 29% global | — |
Regional Market Shares (2025)
Share of global equestrian products & supplies revenue, 2025. Source: Dataintelo.
Annual Cost Benchmarks by Country
| Country | Annual Cost (one horse) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $5,110 – $31,300 (median ~$6,000 pleasure) | Extension surveys / veterinary cost references |
| United Kingdom | £5,000 – £15,000 (on livery) | British Horse Society |
| Australia | AUD $8,000 – $15,000 | Equestrian Queensland |
Veterinary Industry Context
- 48% of the equine veterinary workforce is over age 50; 64% of responding practices are solo practitioners (2024 AVMA/AAEP Equine Economic Report).
- Equine practitioners derive 84% of revenue from services — the highest of any veterinary practice type (2025 AVMA report).
- Veterinary unemployment remains low at 0.7% vs 3.9% nationally (2025 AVMA Economic Report).
Sources: AVMA/AAEP reports as presented at the AAEP 2025 Business News Hour (EquiManagement, Spring 2026).
Where the numbers come from
HorseLife Picks
- Equine science textbook — The data behind the data — physiology and behavior, citableCheck Price
- Stable management manual — The classic text behind barn economicsCheck Price
- Equine business planner — For anyone turning these statistics into a business planCheck Price
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