Results of the first wide-ranging study of Kentucky’s equine industry since 1977 showed it had a total economic impact of almost $3 billion and generated 40,665 jobs last year.

The equine industry also generated approximately $134 million in taxes to the state.  Results from the study are likely to be used for future policy discussions and decisions.

“The estimates underscore the continued significance of the equine industry and they show that each segment of the industry contributes in important ways to the economy as well as to the rich cultural fabric of Kentucky,” said Jill Stowe who is director of the University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs.

“Now that this data is available, the Kentucky Equine Survey team anticipates that policy makers will have better data on which to set policy and that entrepreneurs and business owners will have better data from which to develop business plans and ideas, veterinarians can undertake better disease surveillance, community planners can use the data to facilitate future projects, and the state now has a benchmark going forward.”

The study found Kentucky is home to 242,400 horses and identified 35,000 equine operations and 1.1 million acres devoted to equine use.