The horse industry in Minnesota has grown rapidly in the last five years. In a recent economical assessment, Brian Buhr, an economist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, estimated that Minnesota’s horse industry generates nearly $1 billion in economic activity annually–a much larger figure than he’d expected.

All livestock in Minnesota account for roughly $10 billion in annual economic activity, meaning the horse industry accounts for about 10% of the state’s livestock economy.

The 2002 USDA Census of Agriculture indicated there were 14,289 horse and pony farms in Minnesota, an increase of 80% from the 1997 census, and 92,770 horses and ponies, which represents a 75% increase.

To help understand more about the education needs of horse owners in Minnesota, the University of Minnesota Extension Service conducted a statewide survey of 1,000 Minnesota horse owners. The survey was endorsed by the Minnesota Horse Council and had a 69% response rate