The number of farms, horses, and total value of sales for all United States-based equines significantly decreased from 2007 to 2012, according to a recent census conducted by the USDA's National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS).

The organization defines farms or ranches as producing more than $1,000 in agricultural products or sales each year. Using this criteria, NASS complied a database of approximately 3 million farm owners and sent them surveys to complete; NASS estimated around 80% of respondents completed the survey.

In its census, the USDA census counted only horses on farms or ranches producing more than $1,000 in agricultural products or sales annually.

The census did not count horses used solely for racing, showing, or recreation. For example, a farm that breeds and sells horses for racing would be included in the census because an agricultural product (a horse) is being produced and sold. But a stable that only boards horses would not be counted because no agricultural product is produced or sold. Horses, regardless of use, can be counted if they reside on a farm or ranch that meets NASS criteria for farms or ranches