According to a report to Congress commissioned by the American Horse Council (the national body advising Congress on 
equine matters) the horse industry is not an activity only for wealthy individuals. In fact, the horse industry has many stakeholders including recreational and show horse riders, and moderate-income track, show and stable employees and volunteers. The horse industry is a highly-diverse, national, serious and economically significant industry that deserves the attention of the general public, the media and federal, state and local officials. The industry supports a wide variety of activities in all regions of the country. It combines the primarily rural activities of breeding, training, maintaining and riding horses with the more urban activities of operating racetracks, off-track betting parlors, horse shows and public sales.
The national equine industry
- There are 9.2 million horses in the United States.
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4.6 million Americans are involved in the industry as horse owners, service providers, employees and volunteers. Tens of millions more participate as spectators.
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2 million people own horses.
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The horse industry has a direct economic effect on the U.S.of $39 billion annually.
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The industry has a $102 billion impact on the U.S.economy when the multiplier effect of spending by industry suppliers and employees is taken into account. Including off-site spending of spectators would result in an even higher figure.
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The industry directly provides 460,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs.
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Spending by suppliers and employees generates additional jobs for a total employment impact of 1.4 million FTE jobs.
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The horse industry pays $1.9 billion in taxes to all levels of government.
The equine industry in the State of Indiana
- In the state of Indiana, the horse industry produces a total economic impact valued at more than $1.3 billion, generates approximately $15 million in annual taxes of which $4 million is paid to state government and $1 million is paid to local governments.
- According to the American Horse Council 90,000 Indiana residents are involved in the industry as owners, service providers, employees, and volunteers.
- Additionally, Indiana agricultural statistics indicate that Lake County ranks 13th out of 92 Indiana counties in the number of equine operations.
- The Indiana horse industry produces goods and services valued at $779 million.
- The Indiana horse industry directly provides 8,400 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. Spending by suppliers and employees (in Indiana and other states) generates additional jobs in Indiana for a total employment impact of 22,500.
- There are 203,000 horses in Indiana, over 80 percent of which are involved in showing and recreation.
