Texas A&M University researchers are surveying horse owners and others to determine how the equine industry impacts the economy in that state.

Rebekka Dudensing, MS, PhD, assistant professor and Extension economist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, said that a 2005 American Horse Council survey revealed that more horses resided in Texas than in any other state. That survey also estimated that the horse industry had a $3 billion impact on the Texas economy and an overall impact of $5.2 billion on that state, she said.

“But, a comprehensive economic impact study (specifically) on Texas’ horse industry has not been done since 1998,” Dudensing said.

On March 1, the university announced a new survey designed to measure the number of horses in the state, how the animals are used, and how owners spend their horse-related dollars