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Horse Power
 By Olivia Maddox
The USDA revived the census in 1997 for a joint survey with the National Animal Health Monitoring System and the National Agricultural Statistics Service to determine herd health and management practices. It built upon that data the following year to do an equine census that was its first--and last--attempt to measure the urban horse population. As of Jan. 1, 1998, the USDA estimated the number of horses in the United States at 5.3 million head. Texas held the top spot with 600,000 head, more than double that of the next-highest state, California. Indiana tied with Missouri and North Carolina for 15th with 140,000 head. But a year-long study commissioned by the American Horse Council Foundation, which was released in December 1996, put the estimate at a much higher number--6.9 million.
While debate continues at a national level, the horse industry in Indiana is taking steps to pin that number down--at least for the Hoosier state. Indiana's first comprehensive equine impact survey is under way, an ambitious undertaking by Purdue, the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service, Indiana Horse Council (IHC), Indiana Horse Racing Commission and Indiana Livestock Promotion and Development Fund.
Here's what they hope to find:
- number of horses
- major breeds and their primary uses
- economic impact
- health and health costs
- research focus for veterinary medicine
"This should give us a gold mine of information to provide broad-based services to the industry," Gann says.
In addition to Gann, the study team developing the survey includes Purdue Extension horse specialist and professor of equine management Mark Russell, professor of agricultural economics Kevin McNamara, associate professor of large animal and equine sports medicine Laurent Couëtil, the IHC's Jerry Walker and veterinarian Terry Brandenburg.
Gann expects the survey to be mailed sometime this fall with early results available by Spring 2002. "We hope to have the raw data to present at the Hoosier Horse Fair in April," he says.
The Indiana equine survey just scratches the surface of the symbiotic relationship between Purdue and the IHC, the state trade association representing all equine-related interests.
"There's a close relationship between Purdue and the Indiana Horse Council, particularly in the educational arena," says Colleen Brady animal specialist in 4-H youth.
Both Brady and Russell agree that this arrangement is not the norm in many other states. "Here, the relationship is interwoven so tightly that it's hard to separate," Russell says.
Most equine educational activities in the state are co-sponsored by the IHC and Purdue, including Indiana's flagship event, the annual Hoosier Horse Fair & Expo.
"There's a synergy between the two organizations that many universities, don't have," Russell says. "Purdue provides educational programming that is relevant to the needs of the industry, while the IHC provides marketing, distribution and funding, because our programming meets the needs of its members and the industry as a whole."
"Research, Extension, 4-H, veterinary medicine--it takes all of us to serve the horse industry of the state," says Lucinda Davis Griesey,executive director of the IHC. "Our efforts with Purdue help make possible the things we do for the industry."
In addition to the Hoosier Horse Fair, joint projects include:
- Annual Horsemen's Conference--a variety of presentations and demonstrations for horse owners, trainers, breeders and equine veterinary practitioners held at the veterinary school.
- Equine Health Update --a newsletter for horse owners and veterinarians.
- Black Stallion Literacy Project--a reading program for first- and second-graders featuring a school visit by a real horse.
- Sugar Pep Rio Fund --financial support for trauma research and treatment of severely injured horses at the veterinary school.
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