The Kentucky Horse Council’s (KHC) annual Livestock Investigation Training (LIT) is slated to take place October 23 at the Blue Grass Stockyards Stanford – South in Stanford. Registration for all county and state officials, including animal control officers, sheriffs, police officers and other law enforcement officials and prosecutors in Kentucky, is free; registration for equine rescue and adoption organization employees is $100. Out-of-state officials are welcome should space allow.

Developed by the KHC in partnership with the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association (KCA), with input from experienced enforcement officers, veterinarians and livestock producers, this course is tailored to the needs of those tasked with handling livestock abuse and neglect complaints in the Commonwealth. Attendees will learn how to safely and strategically manage horses and cattle running at large, as well as how to identify at-risk animals.

LIT attendees will learn how to handle horses and cattle, assess body condition score in both species, identify situations that need intervention, and apply Kentucky statutes to animal-associated court cases. Attendees will also practice handling and evaluating live horses and cattle, as well as examining Kentucky statutes and enforcement procedures.

Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Chief Livestock Agent Marcus Avery and Deputy Chief Livestock Agent Shane Mitchell will teach the portion of the class directly related to investigation of potential abuse and neglect cases; documentation; court cases and how to handle horses and cattle involved in ongoing litigation.

“The Livestock Investigation Training provides vital education on animal abuse and neglect to our Kentucky peace officers and to other attendees involved in livestock welfare and care,” said Sarah Coleman, Kentucky Horse Council executive director. “We are deeply thankful for the ongoing participation of the state’s livestock investigators, who provide valuable insight into the nuances of Kentucky’s animal welfare laws and offer attendees candid conversation and support. Their involvement is critical in ensuring no officer or official feels alone when dealing with a possible neglect or abuse case.”

Sponsorship of this program allows the Kentucky Horse Council to provide free training registration to county and state officials, including animal control officers, police, sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel. Download the sponsor packet here.

The KHC has educated more than 315 officers and officials from 65 Kentucky counties since the inception of the trainings in 2008. This course is open to non-government officials and equine enthusiasts for a fee of $100 per person. Register for the course here.

For more information, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org or contact the Kentucky Horse Council at 859-367-0509 or info@kentuckyhorse.org.

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ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL: The Kentucky Horse Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community through education and leadership. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programming; health and welfare programs; outreach and communication to equine enthusiasts; equine professional networking opportunities through the Kentucky Equine Networking Association; and trail riding advocacy. Learn more at kentuckyhorse.org.

September is National Preparedness Month and to help horse owners better prepare for natural disasters, the Kentucky Horse Council’s Fall Dinner & Discussion will focus on how to keep horses – and farms – safe in times of turmoil.

This educational event will take place on Tuesday, September 17, at the Kentucky Horse Park Visitor Center in Lexington from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Katie Flynn, BVMS, Senior Veterinarian for Equine Health and Biosecurity, US Equestrian, will present “Disaster Preparedness for Equine Owners: How to Assess Your Risk, Protect Your Horse and Respond in the Wake of Natural Disasters.”

Growing up on a Standardbred racehorse farm in South Grafton, Massachusetts, Dr. Flynn has

always been passionate about horses and their care. She received her veterinary degree from the University of Glasgow in Scotland before embarking on a diverse veterinary career: She began a regulatory career with the California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health Branch, where she held several positions including field veterinarian, livestock health program veterinarian and equine staff veterinarian before leaving California to continue her regulatory career as the Kentucky State Veterinarian.

In March 2023, Dr. Flynn followed her equine infectious disease interest and accepted the role of Senior Staff Veterinarian for Equine Health and Biosecurity with the United States Equestrian Federation.

“Kentucky has had it’s share of natural disasters in the last few years and horse owners have not been spared, unfortunately,” says Kristin Werner, Deputy General Counsel and Director of Industry Initiatives of The Jockey Club and Kentucky Horse Council board and Health and Welfare committee member. “Through efforts made by the Kentucky Horse Council, I have gotten to see first-hand the devastation and destruction both tornadoes and floods can bring. Any preparations, no matter how small, can deeply impact the potential outcome for horses in the event of a natural disaster. Common-sense approaches are much more likely to be enacted – I am excited to hear Dr. Flynn talk about implementable approaches on how horse owners can keep their animals safe.”

This dinner is part of the Horse Council’s Dinner & Discussion event series, which provides an educational and social venue for equine professionals and horse enthusiasts from all breeds and disciplines to share ideas, business strategies and knowledge; and to obtain up-to-date information on horse and farm management, as well as on issues affecting the equine industry.

For details and reservations for the September 17 event, click here. Tickets are $35.

Registration Open for Kentucky Horse Council's Large Animal Emergency Rescue Training Class to be held Sept. 27-29, 2024, at the Kentucky Horse Park

Lexington, KY (July 29, 2024) - The Kentucky Horse Council’s three-day Large Animal Emergency Rescue (LAER) training is slated to return to the Kentucky Horse Park on Sept. 27-29, 2024.

LAER is taught by Justin and Tori McLeod of 4Hooves Large Animal Services, LLC, a North Carolina-based company that specialized in large animal technical rescue emergency response and training for emergency responders and veterinary professionals. The course is geared specifically toward veterinarians, emergency responders and animal control officers, but horse owners and industry professionals will also find the course beneficial in learning how to care for and extract equines in potentially hazardous situations while remaining safe.

The course will cover topics like animal behavior; handling and restraint; containment; motor vehicle accidents and overturned trailers; entrapments; unstable ground incidents (mud, ditch, ice, etc.); water rescues; and natural disaster preparation and response. Specialized instruction will be given to participants based on their background and auditors are welcome.

“This three-day, technical training is an incredible learning experience for attendees – both hands-on and auditors,” says Sarah Coleman, Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Council. “Instructors teach emergency personnel, veterinarians and horse owners how to work together, leaning into the specific knowledge each faction has in an effort to secure the best possible outcome for horses in perilous situations.”

Attendees will split time between attending lectures at the Kentucky Horse Park Visitor Center theater and spending time out Park grounds, practicing the skills they learned inside. Horses used for the hands-on portion of the class are graciously provided by the Lexington Mounted Police.

Continuing education credits for veterinarians are available through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. Sponsorship opportunities are available here.

For more information, click here or contact the Kentucky Horse Council at 859-367-0509 or info@kentuckyhorse.org. Learn more about 4Hooves Large Animal Services at 4hoovessmart.com.

Lexington, KY (July 26, 2024)– Lexington Equine Medical Group owners have named the Kentucky Horse Council as the beneficiary of proceeds from their inaugural Hunter Pace and 5K, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on Sunday, September 8. All funds raised will be earmarked specifically to assist with KHC efforts in Eastern Kentucky.

The 5K will begin at 8 a.m., with participants trail running over the hunter pace course – jumping the jumps is encouraged! The hunter pace will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. Awards will be given in the jumping, non-jumping and family/pleasure categories, as well as to Best Costume, Best Tailgate and Best Thoroughbred Team (to be eligible, at least half of the horses on a team must have a Thoroughbred Incentive Program number).

A hunter pace is designed to mimic the feeling of being on a hunt without the hounds; teams of two, three and four riders will travel over a marked course that includes woods, water and open fields. Riders can choose to participate in one of three divisions: jumping, non-jumping and family/pleasure, where riders ride at their own pace over the marked course. Riders are encouraged to jump any obstacle they choose; no penalty is incurred for not jumping jumps. The team that finishes closest to the optimum time (set by officials) without going over will be the winner in each division.

“Lexington Equine Medical group is excited to offer runners and riders of all disciplines and abilities the opportunity to spend time at the Kentucky Horse Park,” said Rocky M. Mason, DVM, one of the founders of the 13-doctor ambulatory veterinary practice. “We are looking forward to hosting an event to bring awareness to and raise funds for the KHC, and more specifically, the welfare of horses in Eastern Kentucky. The equine community in the Bluegrass is a powerful one, and one we are all so lucky to be a part of; we can’t wait to see what bringing everyone together for a day of fun and sport can accomplish for horses in need.”

Runners and riders will be able to purchase food from Toasties Gourmet and High Horizons Coffee Shop and Cafe food trucks; beverages from Maiden City Brewing Company and Country Boy Brewing will also be for sale. Photography will be provided by Rachel Milewski Media.

The race and pace will be held rain or shine. Questions? Email lemghunterpace@gmail.com

Learn more about the Lexington Equine Medical Group Hunter Pace and 5K at the Park and register here: lexingtonequinemedical.com/hunter-pace-5k

Can’t run or ride, but want to support the work the KHC does? Donate here: kentuckyhorse.org/Donate

Did you know that the Kentucky Horse Council has created an endowment fund through the Blue Grass Community Foundation? BGCF connects charitable individuals, families, businesses, communities and nonprofit organizations with causes they care about – a perpetual endowment provides the KHC with annual support perpetually.

Please consider supporting the KHC through the Blue Grass Community Foundation – donating in this way can give you a great perk: tax credits through Endow Kentucky! Individuals and businesses who pay taxes in Kentucky can receive a credit of up to 20 percent of the value of a gift made to endowed funds held at community foundations – and the KHC endowment fund qualifies for this tax credit! $1 million in tax credits will become available on July 1 and are often gone in a matter of weeks -- so now is the time to start planning.

If you’re interested in learning more about the tax credit, or completing a tax credit application, email the KHC office at info@kentuckyhorse.org

Have additional questions? Email Scott Fitzpatrick (sfitzpatrick@bgcf.org), Halee Cunningham (halee@bgcf.org) or Lisa Adkins (ladkins@bgcf.org), or call 859-225-3343.

Tax Credit Tips:

• There is no minimum gift to qualify for this tax credit!
• Contributions don’t have to be cash or check -- appreciated stock, life insurance policies or real estate may qualify for the tax credit
• You don’t need to itemize your taxes to take advantage of the tax credit
• All you need to do is fill out an application – BGCF takes care of the rest!

Make plans to donate today to claim your tax credit! Kentucky horses thank you.

If you’ve ever wondered how veterinarians hone their sleuthing skills, if your horse qualifies for a “sports medicine” vet or what all those high-tech diagnostic thingamajigs DO, you are not alone! We hope you’ll join the Kentucky Horse Council and a team of veterinarians from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for our Summer Dinner & Discussion on Tuesday, July 16, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute’s Sport Horse Complex. All equine enthusiasts are welcomed and audience questions are encouraged.

With experience in caring for everything from hunters, jumpers, Saddlebreds, trail horses, eventers, dressage, reining horses and more, the veterinarians at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute are some of the best in the world – and they’ve seen some of the most interesting cases.

This multi-doctor panel will go over some of their more-unusual cases, offering how they came to a diagnosis and what modalities they used to do so. They will also offer insight into the diagnostics available at Hagyard and on what types of cases these modalities perform best. These include nuclear scintigraphy, ultrasound MRI, Hallmarq standing MRI and MILE-PET scan.

“Horse owners living in Kentucky are in an enviable position: We not only have access to a world-class veterinary hospital with state-of-the-art diagnostics and imaging capabilities like Hagyard, we also have the best veterinarians in the world at the ready to assist in all manner of veterinary cases,” said Jen Roytz, co-owner of Brownstead Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, and vice president of the Kentucky Horse Council. “As the old adage goes, ‘knowledge is power,’ and the more knowledgeable we as horse owners are about the diagnostics and treatment modalities available, the better prepared we will be to manage our horses effectively, should they become injured.”

This dinner is part of the Horse Council’s Dinner & Discussion event series, which provides an educational and social venue for equine professionals and horse enthusiasts from all breeds and disciplines to share ideas, business strategies and knowledge; and to obtain up-to-date information on horse and farm management, as well as on issues affecting the equine industry.

For details and reservations for the July 16 event, click here. Tickets are $35.

Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), a non-profit, charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports through the staging of events at the highest level, has donated $75,000 back to the community following the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™.   EEI is best known for producing the annual Kentucky Three-Day Event, the nation’s premier eventing competition and one of only seven annual 5* three-day events in the world as well as the Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix CSI4* on the same weekend. In addition, EEI will host the United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships in 2024 and 2026-2028. EEI oversees all budgeting, competition, sponsorship sales, vendor fairs, ticket sales, hospitality, security, branding, merchandise, marketing and more for these events. Committed to being a pillar of the equestrian community, both in Kentucky and throughout the world, EEI works in collaboration with other events and organizations throughout the year to promote and elevate equestrian sports throughout the U.S. and internationally. Over the last 20 years, EEI has donated more than $1.1 million to the local and equestrian communities through its support of various charities.

 

Following the completion of this year’s highly successful Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian, EEI donated $75,000 to the following charities: Masterson Equestrian Trust, the 2024 Event’s Official Charity, Masterson works to Advocate, Enhance and Protect the Masterson Station Equestrian Facility for horse-related activities and events that serve the entire community All Alumni Competitions Inc., the parent company of the Alumni Tournament of Champions and Alumni Equestrian Events which gives Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) alumni the ability to compete after college in a finals-like atmosphere to stay connected to collegiate riding Bluegrass Sports Commission, which serves to attract and support new and existing sports events at any level to the Central Kentucky Area and is a major driving force for positive growth in the region Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, which is dedicated to enriching the community by improving the quality of life and health of children and adults with special needs through therapeutic activities with the horse Equine Land Conservation Resource, a leader in the protection and conservation of lands for the horse and horse-related activities so that America’s equine heritage lives on Glean Kentucky, which gathers and redistributes excess fresh fruits and vegetables to Kentucky’s food-insecure populations in an effort to solve local food waste and hunger problems Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, which supports research to uncover solutions to critical problems affecting horse health as well as clues to numerous other solutions for equine health issues Justin’s Place, which offers a safe and supportive environment for children ages 3 to 13 with a disability or disorder diagnosis to experience peace and joy through horses Kentucky Horse Council, an official affiliate of the American Horse Council dedicated to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community through education and leadership Lexington Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, which serves to foster better communication between citizens and police through education Midsouth Region Pony Club, an official member of the United States Pony Clubs, Inc., that develops character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through programs that teach horse care, riding and mounted sports Northside Common Market, a place by, for and about Lexington neighbors built to foster opportunity, growth and connection through social entrepreneurship Retired Racehorse Project, which facilitates the placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in equestrian sports and serving the farms, trainers and organizations that transition them The Nest – Center for Women, Children and Families, which supports families in crisis through education, counseling, advocacy and other resources and aims to prevent the abuse and neglect of children and adults The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., an educational organization that builds the foundations of teamwork and sportsmanship through riding, mounted sports and horse care while developing leadership, responsibility and community among its members University of Kentucky Eventing Team, which allows students to compete in the Intercollegiate Eventing League on their own horses at sanctioned U.S. Eventing Association events University of Kentucky Equestrian Team, which allows students to compete on borrowed horses at a regional and national level through the IHSA’s hunt seat and Western disciplines

 

“We are thrilled to continue our longstanding tradition of giving back to the local and equestrian communities,” said Erin Woodall, Executive Director of EEI. “Each of our Charitable Donation recipients does so much for the people and horses they serve. We are grateful for the work they do and are honored to be able to support their efforts.”

 

About Equestrian Events, Inc. Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) is a non-profit charitable Kentucky corporation that was established initially to produce the 1978 World Three-Day Event Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the success of those championships, EEI established an annual event that evolved into the world-renowned Kentucky Three-Day Event, which draws nearly 90,000 spectators to the Kentucky Horse Park each year. EEI added the Kentucky CSI Invitational Grand Prix in 2018, the Lexington CCI4*-S in 2021, and also produces other events. EEI supports several local and equine charities and over the last 20 years has donated more than $1.1 million to various charities. For more information, please visit www.eq-events.com.

Good horse owners do their best to ensure their horses are cared for to the best of their ability, often having a team of farriers, veterinarians, barn owners and trusted friends to guide them through the journey of equine ownership. But what happens when an owner is no longer able to advocate on behalf of their horse?

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) will welcome Joshua Beam, partner at Dinsmore & Shohl law firm, for a candid conversation about how horse owners can prepare for their equines, dogs and cats to be taken care of should the need arise. This Dinner & Discussion (formerly called the Kentucky Equine Networking Association or “KENA”) will take place on Wednesday, November 15, at the Kentucky Horse Park Visitor Center, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. All equine enthusiasts are welcomed and audience questions are encouraged.

“Planning for your pet’s care when you’re not there is something that can be hard to think about, but it’s imperative to ensuring your horse--and other pets--don’t end up in a potentially perilous welfare situation,” says Sarah Coleman, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Council. “The Kentucky Horse Council fields calls multiple times a year from relatives who have inherited animals – often with no experience in their upkeep and no idea what to do with them. This unintentional lack of planning adds angst to an already- stressful time.”

Though the situation can be tricky to navigate, having uncomfortable conversations while not under the pressure of a life-altering event gives horse owners the opportunity to consider multiple possibilities completely. This hour-long presentation will guide owners though multiple options of care for horses and other animals should he or she be unable to make decisions on their behalf. Beam will also offer words of advice on how to broach the potentially difficult subject matter with friends and family, how to choose a caretaker and what to consider when unlimited funds for horse care are not an option.

This dinner is part of the Horse Council’s Dinner & Discussion event series, which provides an educational and social venue for equine professionals and horse enthusiasts from all breeds and disciplines to share ideas, business strategies and knowledge; and to obtain up-to-date information on horse and farm management, as well as on issues affecting the equine industry.

For details and reservations for the November 15 event, click here. Tickets are $30. Interested in sponsoring this event? Click here. 

Lexington, KY (July 24, 2023) - The Kentucky Horse Council’s three-day Large Animal Emergency Rescue (LAER) training is slated to return to the Kentucky Horse Park on Sept. 15-17, 2023.

LAER is taught by Justin and Tori McLeod of 4Hooves Large Animal Services, LLC, a North Carolina-based company that specialized in large animal technical rescue emergency response and training for emergency responders and veterinary professionals. The course is geared specifically toward veterinarians, emergency responders and animal control officers, but horse owners and industry professionals will also find the course beneficial in learning how to care for and extract equines in potentially hazardous situations while remaining safe.

The course will cover topics like animal behavior; handling and restraint; containment; motor vehicle accidents and overturned trailers; entrapments; unstable ground incidents (mud, ditch, ice, etc.); water rescues; and natural disaster preparation and response. Specialized instruction will be given to participants based on their background and auditors are welcome.

“After taking the Kentucky Horse Council’s Large Animal Emergency Rescue class, we learned what type of equipment we needed to be able to respond to an emergency involving a large animal, and how to use it,” says Kenny Pratt, chief of the Marshall County Rescue Squad. “After I took the class, I applied for – and received -- grants to help us purchase the necessary equipment.”

Soon after the equipment arrived, the rescue squad had the opportunity to use it, assisting with animals that had been involved in the devastating tornadoes that swept through Western Kentucky. Pratt and his team responded to horses that were down and entangled in barbed wire. “Because of the training we received, we were able to go up to the horses, calm them and protect their faces the way we had been taught. We then used our new equipment to secure the horse’s safety. We would not have been able to work as well or efficiently had we not taken the KHC class. I highly recommend this training to any emergency service or rescue squad -- when you least expect it is when you’re going to have to figure out how to get a horse or a cow out of a tricky situation.”

“The Large Animal Emergency Rescue training has proven to be a great learning experience for all attendees, but specifically for veterinarians, who learn how to work alongside both first responders and volunteers. All participants receive in-depth, technical training on how to safely handle emergency situations in which they may be asked to work together,” says Dr. Rocky Mason, owner of Lexington Equine Medical Group and head of the Kentucky Horse Council Health and Welfare committee. “This training also focuses on situational awareness and preparedness, both of which are necessary for a favorable outcome for the animal involved while keeping everyone safe.”

Continuing education credits for veterinarians are available through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. Sponsorship opportunities are available here. For more information, click here or contact the Kentucky Horse Council at 859-367-0509 or info@kentuckyhorse.org

To learn more about 4Hooves Large Animal Services at 4hoovessmart.com.

By Holly Wiemers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 12, 2023) – The University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Horse Council, committed to both safeguarding and promoting the well-being of equines and equine agriculture in the state, recently collaborated on the 2022 Kentucky Equine Survey. The report gathered data on all Kentucky horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

According to the survey, the Commonwealth of Kentucky is home to 209,500 equine and the most populous breed is Thoroughbred, followed by Quarter Horse and Walking Horse. The total value of equine and equine-related assets in the state was $27.7 billion in 2022, up more than 18% from 2012.This is true even though there are currently almost 14% fewer equine living in the Commonwealth than in 2012.

Jill Stowe, professor and agricultural economist for the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Department of Agricultural Economics led the survey, a follow-up to the initial study completed in 2012. The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service implemented the survey. It was conducted in partnership with the Kentucky Horse Council and with support from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and other equine-affiliated organizations. Data collected between July and October 2022 was analyzed to determine core population demographic breakdown and economic information related to the equine industry in the commonwealth.

“In the past 10 years, Kentucky’s equine industry has seen areas of contraction along with areas of growth,” Stowe said. “Although the total number of equine and equine operations has decreased, the average value of equine has increased. Additionally, revenues for equine operations increased more than expenses, a promising metric for commercial operations. Overall, this report reinforces the economic significance of equine agriculture, which remains vibrant and strong as a signature industry in Kentucky.”

The Kentucky Equine Survey illustrated that equine are present throughout the commonwealth and that the industry needs supporting businesses, such as veterinarians and farriers, as well as fencing, feed, bed­ding, insurance, farm equipment, pharmaceuticals providers and specialized educational opportunities, among others.

The survey also demonstrated that Kentucky’s equine industry, particularly in the central Bluegrass re­gion, is an economic clus­ter. Economic clusters are important contributors to an area’s economy; previous study results justi­fy the support and enhance­ment of the state’s equine industry.

“Though the equine numbers in Kentucky have declined slightly over the past decade, this survey reinforces there are many reasons for optimism, specifically with regard to equine welfare,” said Sarah Coleman, KHC executive director. “A smaller supply of equine, coupled with the decline in nonpaid transfers, suggests that the potential for horses to become unwanted and at risk has lessened.”

UK and KHC in partnership with NASS completed a comprehensive Kentucky equine industry study in 2012, the first in more than 30 years. Survey creators intend to do follow-up studies every 10 years to accurately monitor the state of the industry in Kentucky.

“Equine agriculture is a signature industry for Kentucky,” said James MacLeod, UK Ag Equine Programs director and researcher in UK’s Gluck Equine Research Center. “This second decennial survey will provide critical information to enable informed decision-making by equine industry leaders, public policy makers, veterinary health professionals and people considering equine-related business investments.” 

Stowe explained that Kentucky’s equine industry experienced significant changes in the past decade, including emerging from the Great Recession in 2008-2009, navigating a global pandemic in 2020-21 and recovering from multiple natural disasters in 2021 and 2022; all facets of the industry have had to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape, she said.

“The challenges faced–and their outcomes–are not unique to equine in the commonwealth,” she said. “Nearly all production livestock in the state, and throughout the United States, have been experiencing the same trends, for a multitude of reasons.”

While all breed numbers experienced declines from 2012 to 2022, the average value of equine increased, even after adjusting for inflation. This inflation-adjusted average value of equine increased for nearly all breeds, as well as in 82 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.

The number of equine operations in the state declined 11.4%, which triggered corresponding declines in total operation acreage (18.6%) and equine-related activity acreage (15.9%). In addition, the number of acres held in land preservation programs was down 3.9%.

Kentucky’s decline in equine and equine operation numbers mirrors those found nationwide by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture. The contraction in Kentucky’s equine industry is similar to beef cattle production across the nation, which is at its lowest level since 1962.

An important trend for commercial equine operations is the marked increase in income and sales over the past 10 years. Expenses have increased, but at a lower rate than revenues. After adjusting for inflation, operating expenses, not including labor, were just marginally higher than in 2012 and capital expenditures were up 131%. Labor expenses (payroll and non-wage benefits) increased approximately 134%.

Study highlights include:

• Though there are currently fewer equine living in the Commonwealth (209,500) than in the 2012 study (242,400), the total value of equine and equine-related assets in Kentucky increased from $23.4 billion in 2012 to $27.7 billion in 2022.
• Kentucky is home to approximately 31,000 equine operations.
• Acreage devoted to equine use in Kentucky is 84.1% of that in 2012 (900,000 acres in 2022, compared with 1.1 million acres in 2012).
• Total equine-related income from sales and ser­vices for equine operations in 2022 was almost $2.1 billion, up from $1.1 billion in 2012, while expenses have increased from $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion; 82% of operating expenses are spent in Kentucky.
• The top 10 most populous breeds in the commonwealth are Thoroughbreds (48,500), Quarter Horses (35,000), Walking Horses (28,500), donkeys and mules (13,500), Saddlebreds (12,000), Mountain Horse breeds (10,500), Standardbreds (9,200), Warmbloods (7,000), pony breeds (6,400) and Miniature Horses (6,100).
• The state’s top-five primary uses include trail/pleasure riding (62,500), broodmare (33,500), idle, retired or otherwise not working (32,500), growing horse (foal/weanling/yearling) (22,000), and competition/show (20,000).
• There were 12,500 workers reported on Kentucky equine op­erations during 2022. This includes 6,300 full-time and 6,200 part-time employees. Total payroll expenses amounted to $322 million.

For the full report and access to all supplementary material, please visit https://kentuckyhorse.org/2022-Kentucky-Equine-Survey