01: State of the Industry

Generalized trend of horse population in the U.S. over the last few hundred years

There were lots of horses in the 1800’s, then the numbers crashed in the early mid 1900’s with the advent of the engine

Number of horses in the U.S. today

7.2 million

Top three horse states

TX, CA, FL

Largest breed registries in the U.S.

AQHA and Jockey Club (thoroughbreds)

Describe generalized trends in the TB racing industry

There are fewer races, but the prize pools are larger

Explain horse trends for the last 50 years in the U.S.

• Ability and availability to show has exploded because of a plethora of disciplines emerging

• Breeding trends and specialization has increased

• Horses are living longer because there is a better understanding of nutrition and vet care

Reasons a horse may become “unwanted”

• Change in owner situation

• Horse is old or unsound

• Horse is unmanageable

When was the slaughter of horses banned

2007

Following the U.S. ban on slaughter, what has happened to horse slaughter numbers

They have not changed, the only difference is that they have to be exported to be processed instead of being done in house

Top countries for processing the U.S. exported slaughter horses

Mexico, Canada, and Japan

How many U.S. horses are exported for slaughter each year

>100k

Following the ban on slaughter, what concerns have changed

There is an increased concern for abandoned or abused horses now that there isn’t a cheap, humane option for removal

Describe the SAFE act and the controversy around it

The act seeks to stop both slaughter and export for slaughter in the U.S. Organizations like the AAEP and the AQHA oppose the bill for the sake of the welfare of unwanted horses

Argument for reinstating horse slaughter in the U.S.

If we slaughter horses domestically, we can directly control how humanely these horses are treated, and what does or doesn’t go into the meat before processing

Top 5 horsemeat producing countries

China, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Argentina

As an animal, how are horses categorized

The govt classifies them as livestock, many other industries see them as companion animals

How much of U.S. horse deaths in a year are due to slaughter

1-2%

Recent horse market trends

The recession in ‘08 tanked the industry for a while, but it has been very strong the past few years, particularly in the wake of the Yellowstone show. The recession pushed many backyard breeders out of business, and caused larger ones to downsize. Overall, the number of farms decreased, though numbers are starting to creep back up.

Size of the equine industry (in revenue) in the U.S.

>$100 billion per year

Loose auction

There is no info on the horses, and there are no guarantees, medical or otherwise

Catalogued auction

There are lots of guarantees, lots of medical screening, lots of information. Certain things have to be disclosed by the sellers

Describe supply and demand factors in recent years

The nation is raising horses faster than it is producing trainers. Winning horses are getting more expensive. In 1985 the tax laws regarding industry involvement and write-offs changed, and lots of high-profile people left the business

Number of wild horses

~40k

Number of burros

~10k

How does the U.S. deal with wild horse and burro populations

They compete with ranchers for resources, and have to be managed. The Bureau of Land Management gets $80 million a year for management

How fast will a wild herd double if it isn’t managed

Every 4 years

How many states are wild horses and burros roaming in

10

State of horse rescues following the slaughter ban

There has been an expansion of rescues and sanctuaries, and still most are running at or above capacity

Programs that help rescues

Financial assistance, feed banks, medical programs, disaster relief, euthanasia services

What percentage of riders are recreational/amateur

70%

Number one participant in equestrian activities

Middle class, middle aged white women

What is going to be key for industry sustainability

Recruiting new participants

What needs to be at the forefront of how we treat horses

Animal welfare

Equine sports are under a microscope, what do we need to do to retain the social license to operate

Be transparent but also watch the PR

Summary of the Keeneland January sale

Good quality horses are in high demand

Highest selling horse at the Keeneland sales

Prank

Sire of the highest selling horse at the Keeneland sales

Into Mischief