Economic impact of the horse industry in Arkansas
As a large, economically diverse industry, the Arkansas horse industry contributes significantly to the Arkansas economy. Horse owners, industry suppliers, racetrack, horse shows, other competitions, recreational riders and other industry segments all generate discrete economic activity contributing to the industry’s vibrancy. The spending generated with the horse industry and the subsequent spending between co-dependent industries contribute hundreds of jobs and 65 million dollars to the economy on an annual basis.
Arkansas horse industry reaches into the far corners of all 75 counties. The horse industry impact is generated from the smallest of the rural communities to the largest of our cities. Arkansas has over 2500 equine events annually. We have to the two largest equine events in the United States during the Labor Day week end with Arkansas Open Horse Show in Little Rock with over 2145 horses, the annual Chuckwagon races in Clinton with over 6500 horses and mules. Arkansas also has one of the largest barrel racing futurities, Old Fort Days Futurity in Fort Smith, with over 800 horses. Recreational riding is the largest growing activity in the state at this time. The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission’s Equine Verifiers program helps to support these activities through their educational program helping provide 2000 qualified verifiers to support these activities.
Arkansas has over 300 outdoor arenas and 20 indoor arenas. Arkansas State University, Southern Arkansas University, and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville have indoor arenas. The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville has an equine degree program. Within the last year we now have an Equine Specialist added to the University of Arkansas Extension Service Staff. We also have seven bed and breakfast equine accommodations within the state and 25 trail ride hosts.
The American Horse Council Foundation estimates that our equine population will normally generate at least 40,000 equine related jobs within the state. The equine industry continues to grow in Arkansas as noted on impact section attached to this document.
Total Economic Impact Equine Industry in Arkansas
State: Arkansas % of State
Main Costs (000) 2007 Costs Per Horse
Veterinary Fees $36,528 0.5% $218
Veterinary Meds. 18,292 0.3% $108
Veterinary Supplies 17,999 0.3% $107
Grooming Supplies 10,327 0.1% $ 67
Hay 86,000 1.2% $519
Grain 70,795 1.0% $421
Supplements 10,270 0.1% $ 61
Vitamins 9,708 0.1% $ 57
Farrier 56,213 0.8% $335
Clothing 53,037 0.7% $316
Saddles/Tack 74,002 1.0% $440
Insurance 48,606 0.7% $289
Stable Utilities 36,487 0.5% $217
Total Main. Cost 528,264,000 7.4% $3144
Support Costs(000) 2007 % of State Per Horse
Stable Help $20,206 0.3% $120
Riding Lessons 20,126 0.3% $119
Training 31,112 0.4% $185
Advertising Costs 1459.00 0.0% $9.00
Membership Dues 1914.00 0.0% $11.00
Equine Publications 1624.00 0.0% $10.00
Entry Fees 4,463 0.1% $26.00
Equipment Maint. 8,078 0.1% $48.00
Taxes 10,154 0.1% $60.00
Depreciation/H/E 19,915 0.3% $119
Total Support Cost: 119,051,000 1.7% $709
Capital Investment 2007 % of State Per Horse
Horses: Registered 276,699 4.7% $1649.00
Horses: Grade 128,693 2.2% $766.00
Acreage 2,345,586 39.7% $13,961
Barns/Stables 794,445 11.1% $4,728
Arenas/Fence 537,275 7.5% $3,198
Trailers 421,395 6.1% $2,508
Tractor,Farm,Equip 84,279 1.2% $501
Equine Vehicles 1,327,158,000 18.5% $7,899
Total Capital Invest 5,915,530,000 91.0% $35,209
Total Outlay 12,388,680,000 100%
Equine Population of Arkansas 168,014
Households
having equine 89,671
This impact study does not indicate the millions of dollars generated from the Oaklawn Track, which would greatly increase the total industry impact on the state.
The contribution to this economic impact was the United States Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
Arkansas horse industry reaches into the far corners of all 75 counties. The horse industry impact is generated from the smallest of the rural communities to the largest of our cities. Arkansas has over 2500 equine events annually. We have to the two largest equine events in the United States during the Labor Day week end with Arkansas Open Horse Show in Little Rock with over 2145 horses, the annual Chuckwagon races in Clinton with over 6500 horses and mules. Arkansas also has one of the largest barrel racing futurities, Old Fort Days Futurity in Fort Smith, with over 800 horses. Recreational riding is the largest growing activity in the state at this time. The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission’s Equine Verifiers program helps to support these activities through their educational program helping provide 2000 qualified verifiers to support these activities.
Arkansas has over 300 outdoor arenas and 20 indoor arenas. Arkansas State University, Southern Arkansas University, and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville have indoor arenas. The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville has an equine degree program. Within the last year we now have an Equine Specialist added to the University of Arkansas Extension Service Staff. We also have seven bed and breakfast equine accommodations within the state and 25 trail ride hosts.
The American Horse Council Foundation estimates that our equine population will normally generate at least 40,000 equine related jobs within the state. The equine industry continues to grow in Arkansas as noted on impact section attached to this document.
Total Economic Impact Equine Industry in Arkansas
State: Arkansas % of State
Main Costs (000) 2007 Costs Per Horse
Veterinary Fees $36,528 0.5% $218
Veterinary Meds. 18,292 0.3% $108
Veterinary Supplies 17,999 0.3% $107
Grooming Supplies 10,327 0.1% $ 67
Hay 86,000 1.2% $519
Grain 70,795 1.0% $421
Supplements 10,270 0.1% $ 61
Vitamins 9,708 0.1% $ 57
Farrier 56,213 0.8% $335
Clothing 53,037 0.7% $316
Saddles/Tack 74,002 1.0% $440
Insurance 48,606 0.7% $289
Stable Utilities 36,487 0.5% $217
Total Main. Cost 528,264,000 7.4% $3144
Support Costs(000) 2007 % of State Per Horse
Stable Help $20,206 0.3% $120
Riding Lessons 20,126 0.3% $119
Training 31,112 0.4% $185
Advertising Costs 1459.00 0.0% $9.00
Membership Dues 1914.00 0.0% $11.00
Equine Publications 1624.00 0.0% $10.00
Entry Fees 4,463 0.1% $26.00
Equipment Maint. 8,078 0.1% $48.00
Taxes 10,154 0.1% $60.00
Depreciation/H/E 19,915 0.3% $119
Total Support Cost: 119,051,000 1.7% $709
Capital Investment 2007 % of State Per Horse
Horses: Registered 276,699 4.7% $1649.00
Horses: Grade 128,693 2.2% $766.00
Acreage 2,345,586 39.7% $13,961
Barns/Stables 794,445 11.1% $4,728
Arenas/Fence 537,275 7.5% $3,198
Trailers 421,395 6.1% $2,508
Tractor,Farm,Equip 84,279 1.2% $501
Equine Vehicles 1,327,158,000 18.5% $7,899
Total Capital Invest 5,915,530,000 91.0% $35,209
Total Outlay 12,388,680,000 100%
Equine Population of Arkansas 168,014
Households
having equine 89,671
This impact study does not indicate the millions of dollars generated from the Oaklawn Track, which would greatly increase the total industry impact on the state.
The contribution to this economic impact was the United States Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
Copyright 2024 by Roundup Publishing LLC