NORWICH – Even while several local agricultural industries deal with ongoing challenges, new studies indicate that the equine industry – including racing, recreational horse ownership and horse showing – has had a growing beneficial impact on the economy in recent years.
According to survey results from the New York State Equine Industry Economic Impact Study, the horse industry has become a $4.2 billion per year industry in New York, employing approximately 33,000 full-time jobs statewide in the areas of horse breeding, boarding and the state’s growing horse racing business. The horse racing industry alone yields 80 full-time jobs per 100 horses, and brings in more than $187 million in state and local taxes, the study reports. In addition, the recreational equine industry produces more than 15,000 total direct and indirect jobs in the state, with an economic impact nearing $2.1 billion annually.
The new study’s results aren’t suprising to local agriculturalists like equine farmer Debbie Brown-Moon, owner and operator of Hidden Ponds Stables in Norwich. Hidden Ponds is a full service boarding and training facility that stables 40 horses, 15 of which are boarded. Every horse helps to create a job, whether directly or indirectly, the study says and Brown-Moon agreed. Costs to keep the animals range in the thousands of dollars per month, she explained; and although Hidden Ponds doesn’t employ anyone directly, she is one of thousands of recreational equine farmers with a stable that helps to produce more than 5,000 indirect jobs statewide, as seen in the equine impact study.
“It should definitely have a good impact the economy,” said Brown-Moon, noting the costs of keeping just one horse. “We produce hay for ourselves but our grain bill is about $1,000 (per month). We also buy products locally, so we probably spend $5,000 on products like bedding for stalls.”
Brown-Moon went on to say that the success of the equine industry may be attributed in part to the horse racing industry, but also to love of the sport. “Riding is basically a lifetime sport,” she said. “A lot of people like the communication between an animal that thinks and doesn’t always do what you want it to do. It’s something they look forward to doing and they can do it for a very long time.”
Janet Pfromm, 4-H coordinator at the Chenango County Cornell Cooperative Extension, said horse farming statewide has been a growing industry since the United States Department of Agriculture conducted its last ag census in 2007. Moreover, a similar survey from the New York State Equine Industry in 2005 showed the state’s racing and recreational horse industries had an economic impact of nearly $2.4 billion. Since then, the industry has seen a 75 percent increase in its economic impact, regardless a shaky economy in recent years..
“It’s definitely something that plays a significant role in our economy,” Pfromm said. “Whether you’re doing lessons, training, racing or boarding, there are different ways that make the equine industry thrive,” she added, also citing the benefits of local horse farmers shopping locally. “It’s definitely something that plays a significant role in our economy.”