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Economic Impacts of the Alabama Horse Industry
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Horse breeding, maintenance and training, and recreational and competitive events using horses contribute greatly to Alabama’s economy and way of life. Many agricultural businesses are directly supported by the horse industry. Alabama farmers grow hay and grain for horse feed. The timber industry sells wood chips or sawdust as bedding for horses and lumber for horse facilities. Veterinary services and health care products are widely used by horse owners, and participants in horse activities often require special clothing and equipment. Tourism related to the horse shows, races, and recreational events also represents a sizable contribution to the state’s economy. In 1993, a 4-year study investigating the economic impact of Alabama’s horse industry was completed. The purpose of the study was to obtain objective in-formation on the importance of the horse industry. This publication summarizes the major results from that study.
Horse Breeds and Uses
A wide variety of horse activities take place in Alabama throughout the year. Locality, sport, or breed usually classifies these activities. Locality-based activities, such as county horse clubs, usually are open to any breed of horse. Horse owners interested in a common horse sport, such as trail riding form sport-based activities. Sport-based activities usually are open to any breed, but a certain breed because of its unique success in that sport often dominates them. Breed-based activities promote a certain breed in many different horse sports. Many horse owners have memberships in several different activity organizations. For example, a Quarter Horse owner may participate in a local saddle club, a barrel-racing association, and Quarter Horse breed shows. Every major horse breed is found in Alabama. (Estimated numbers of horses of each major breed in Alabama are shown in Table 1.) The American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed in the state and is used mainly as a recreational riding and show horse. Alabama ranks third in the nation in the number of shows approved by the American Quarter Horse Association (86 shows in 1989). Most of the approved shows are 2- to 3-day events attracting about 100 horses. Quarter
Horses also are used in rodeo competitions and raced at the Birmingham Race Course. The Tennessee Walking Horse and the Racking Horse are the next most popular breeds in the state. These breeds have similar backgrounds and are used mainly for recreational riding and showing. Headquarters of the Racking Horse Breeders’ Association of America is located in Decatur, Alabama, and Alabama ranks first in the nation in number of shows approved by this breed association (35 shows in 1989). Two large Racking Horse shows, the Spring Celebration and the World Celebration, are held in Decatur annually. These shows attract horses and spectators from all over the United States. Both shows run for several days, and the World Celebration had more
than 1,700 entries in 1989. The Racking Horse has been designated the "Official State Horse for the State of Alabama" by the Alabama legislature. Thoroughbred horses in the state are used as race horses at the Birmingham Race Course or as breeding stock to produce race horses. Thoroughbreds not involved in the racing industry are used as show horses and polo ponies.
| Table 1. Estimated Number of Horses by Breed in Alabama in 1989 |
| Breed |
Number |
| Quarter Horse |
34,543 |
| Tennessee Walking Horse |
15,617 |
| Racking Horse |
12,000 |
| Appaloosa |
9,289 |
| Thoroughbred |
3,300 |
| Arabian |
2,271 |
| Half-Arabian |
1,097 |
| Paint |
1,014 |
| Saddlebred |
732 |
| Pony of the Americas |
572 |
| Morgan |
303 |
| Paso Fino |
220 |
| Pinto |
108 |
| Other Breeds |
2,644 |
| Total |
83,710 |
| Sources: National Equine Marketing Association, Racking Horse Breeders and Owners Associations of America |
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