Horse Notes

Horse Production Study Notes

Terminology

  • Intact Male: Uncastrated male horse, commonly referred to as a stallion.

  • Female: Adult female horse, known as a mare.

  • Meat Product: The product derived from slaughtering horses.

  • Species: The particular kind of horse.

  • Baby, non-gender: A young horse that is not yet identified by gender, referred to as a foal.

  • Young: Refers to horses that are not yet mature, typically foals and yearlings.

  • Mature: Horses that have reached adulthood.

  • Castrated Male: A male horse that has been gelded, referred to as a gelding.

  • Young/ Mature Cattle:

    • Calf: Young bovine,

    • Bull calf: Young male bovine,

    • Bull: Adult male bovine,

    • Steer: Castrated male bovine,

    • Heifer: Young female bovine that has not given birth,

    • Cow: Adult female bovine.

    • Veal: Meat from calves.

    • Beef: Meat from mature cattle.

  • Sheep:

    • Lamb: Young sheep,

    • Ram: Male sheep,

    • Wether: Castrated male sheep,

    • Ewe: Female sheep.

    • Mutton: Meat from mature sheep.

  • Swine:

    • Piglet: Young pig,

    • Boar: Intact male pig,

    • Barrow: Castrated male pig,

    • Gilt: Young female pig that has not given birth,

    • Sow: Adult female pig.

    • Pork: Meat from pigs.

  • Horse: General classification encompassing various types and breeds of horses.

Uses of Horses

Recreation

  • Horses are utilized in various recreational activities including:

    • Racing: Enthusiasts engage in equine races, a popular and regulated sport.

    • Competition: Horses are used in diverse competitive events, demonstrating agility, speed, and skill.

    • Traditional Work Horses: Historically, horses have been used for agricultural work and transportation.

  • Horses play a vital role in equine assisted therapies, particularly beneficial in:

    • Beaming Health: Specialty programs focusing on therapy for children with autism that foster:

    • Social Engagement & Communication: Horses encourage non-verbal communication through tactile interaction, e.g. brushing or feeding.

    • Strength & Muscle Coordination: Horseback riding enhances neural pathways; a horse takes approximately 100 steps per minute, leading to 1,500 to 2,500 sensory inputs in a typical 15 to 25 minute session.

    • Balance & Spatial Awareness: The motion of the horse helps riders improve muscle coordination and stability.

Horse Population Statistics

Number of Horses by Activity (2017 Data)

  • Total Horses in the U.S.: 7,246,835

    • Recreational Horses: 3,141,449 (43%)

    • Showhorses: 1,227,986 (17%)

    • Racing and Racehorse Breeding: 1,224,482 (17%)

    • Workhorses (Farms, Police Work, Rodeo, etc.): 537,261 (8%)

    • Amish Institutionally Owned: 156,430 (2%)

    • Other: 959,227 (13%)

Employment Statistics

  • Total Jobs Related to Horses: Approximately 2.2 million, with jobs distributed as follows:

    • Racing: 31.9%

    • Recreation: 30.1%

    • Competition: 5.6%

    • Traditional Work Horses: 0.31%

    • Equine Assisted Activities: 0.96%

    • Equine Rescues/Sanctuaries: 0.2%

Economic Impact

  • The direct and total economic impact of the horse industry is measured in billions of dollars:

    • Racing: $0 to $35 billion

    • Recreation: $10 to $25 billion

    • The economic value extends to competition, traditional workhorses, etc.

Regional Horse Population

  • Texas: 748,800 horses

  • California: 477,700 horses

  • Florida: 344,900 horses

  • Ohio/Oklahoma: 250,000 horses each

  • Kentucky: 224,600 horses

  • The total number of horses in the U.S. has decreased from 7.2 million in 2017 to 6.7 million.

Ownership Statistics

  • Horse Enthusiast Households: 30.5% of U.S. households, yet only 1.2% own a horse.

  • Horse Ownership Demographics:

    • Sex: 92.6% of horse owners are female.

    • Marital Status: 52% of equestrians are married; 58% hold college degrees.

Horse Owner Age Distribution

  • Age Under 18: 12%

  • Ages 18-24: 5% (notable decline)

  • Ages 25-34: 22%

  • Ages 35-44: 20%

  • Ages 45-59: 23%

  • Ages 60+: 18%

Annual Income of Horse Owners

  • $0 to $24,999: 3%

  • $25,000 to $49,999: 12%

  • $50,000 to $74,999: 19%

  • $75,000 to $99,999: 16%

  • $100,000 to $149,999: 22%

  • $150,000+: 28%

Cost Categories for Horse Ownership

Low-End Ownership Costs

  • Horse Purchase Price: $1,000

  • Veterinary Care Annual: $5,000 (average)

  • Farrier Services (6 Weeks): $300

  • Boarding (Monthly): $50 - $150 (basic care)

  • Feed and Bedding (Monthly): $100 - $300 (basic feed)

  • Training and Lessons (Monthly): $50 - $200 (casual riding)

  • Show and Competition Fees: Vary based on type.

  • Tack and Equipment: $200 - $500 (basic gear).

  • Insurance (Annual): $300 - $1,000 (basic coverage).

High-End Ownership Costs

  • Horse Purchase Price: $1 million - $70 million for exceptional horses.

  • Veterinary Care Annual: $10,000 - $50,000+ (specialized care).

  • Farrier Services: $200 - $500+ (high-performance horses).

  • Boarding (Monthly): $1,000 - $3,000+ (full-service facilities).

  • Feed and Bedding (Monthly): $500 - $1,000+ (special diets).

  • Training and Lessons (Monthly): $300 - $1,000+ (professional training).

  • Show and Competition Fees: $500 - $5,000+ (national/international).

  • Tack and Equipment: $1,000 - $10,000+ (high-quality gear).

  • Insurance (Annual): $300 - $1,000+ (valuable horses).

Common Coat Colors

  • Sorrel/Chestnut: A reddish-brown color.

  • Bay: A brown horse with a black mane and tail.

  • Black: A solid black coat.

  • White vs Gray: Distinctions between fully white coats and gray coats that progressively become lighter.

  • Buckskin: Light tan color with black points.

  • Dun: A color pattern characterized by a yellowish or gold coat with a darker mane and tail, often accompanied by a dorsal stripe along the back.

  • Palomino: A golden horse with a white mane and tail.

  • Chute Hawk: Specific coat pattern or color not listed above.

    • Mere Borra: Other specific color variant.

Breeds of Horses

  • Breeds categorized by size and temperament:

    • Light Horses (hot-blooded): Typically faster and more agile. 1,100 lbs to 1,400 lbs, commonly used for racing and other competitive events.

    • Draft Horses (cold-blooded): Larger and sturdier, often used for heavy work and pulling, generally weigh over 1,400 lbs. 3- Clydesdale- more hair near hooves, 1-Belgian & 2-Percheron

    • Ponies: Smaller equines typically under 14.2 hands in height. Their temperament can vary widely, with some showing a calm nature suitable for children, while others may be more spirited and require experienced handlers.

Popular Breeds

  1. American Quarter Horse (42.1%) - known for its versatility and performance in various equestrian disciplines, including racing and rodeos.

  2. Thoroughbred (7.1%) - recognized for its speed, stamina, and excellence in horse racing, making it one of the most famous breeds worldwide.

  3. American Paint Horse (6.8%) - celebrated for its unique coat patterns and strong stock horse traits, making it popular in western riding and competitions.

  4. Miniature Horse (5.1%)

  5. Draft Horses (4.7%) - known for their incredible strength and ability to pull heavy loads, making them essential in agricultural work and transportation.

  6. Tennessee Walking Horse (4.5%)- Soreing ( bad) a controversial practice that involves intentionally causing pain to the horse's legs in order to enhance its gait, which is now illegal in many jurisdictions.

  7. Grade Horse (4.1%) - known for their mixed breeding and versatility, often used in various disciplines ranging from pleasure riding to competitive events.

  8. Arabian (3.9%)- good long distance, skinny face, long back & neck

  9. Standardbred (3.7%) - Renowned for harness racing, featuring a calm demeanor, solid build, and impressive stamina.

  10. Warmbloods (3.2%) - Highly versatile, suitable for both jumping and dressage, with a muscular frame and good temperament.

  11. Saddlebred (2.5%) - Known for their smooth gaits and flashy appearances, they excel in the show ring and are often used for pleasure riding.

  12. Appaloosa (1.9%) - Recognized for their distinctive coat patterns and versatility, Appaloosas are popular in various disciplines, including Western riding and trail riding.

  13. Morgan (1.4%) - Known for their strength and endurance, Morgans are highly adaptable and often used in both riding and driving disciplines.

  14. Mustang (1.0%) - Mustangs are feral horses with a strong survival instinct, originally descended from horses brought by Spanish explorers, and are known for their hardiness and resilience in various environments.

Equine Production Systems

  • Racehorses: Focused operations dedicated to breeding and training racehorses.

  • Stallion Farms: Farms dedicated to breeding stallions for passing on desirable traits.

  • Mare and Foal Operations: Breeding farms raising mares and their offspring.

  • Sales:

    • Yearling and Two-Year-Olds: Horses sold at specific age milestones.

    • Training Facilities: Where horses are prepared for competitive events, typically starting at 2 years of age.

    • Competition Horses: Horses trained specifically for competition. starts at 2+years of age and continues through various levels of development to ensure they are ready for events such as races, shows, or endurance competitions.

    • Private Treaty Sales: Sales negotiated directly without public auction.

    • Hands=4inches

    • Donkeys are known for their ability to produce hybrid offspring, such as the mule, when they mate with horses or zebras.

Relevant Courses Available

  • ADSC 2500L: Beginning Horsemanship

  • ADSC 3630/3630L: Horse Production and Management

  • ADSC 4230: Equine Anatomy and Biomechanics

  • ADSC 4390: Equine Nutrition

  • ADSC 4430: Equine Exercise Physiology

  • ADSC 4500: Operant Conditioning and Training