Introduction to Equine Science

1. Introduction to Equine Science Knightdale HS Agriculture

2. History of the Horse • The Chinese likely first domesticated horses around 5100 years ago (3100 BC). • Horses would have initially (even before domestication) been used for food.

3. Hippology and War • Hippology is the study of horses • The use of horses in war (mounted cavalry) probably led to the serious study of equitation • Ability of the rider to ride correctly, etc

4. History of Horses in the US • Horses were introduced to the Americas by Europeans (Spanish) • Horses were not here when Columbus “found” America in 1492 • Horses from Spanish Missions (churches) are thought to be the foundation stock (relatives) of the wild plains horses and horses used by American Indians

5. Colonists’ Horses • European colonists’ brought horses that were used to pull heavy loads (wagons, plows, etc) • These types of horses are known as draft horses

6. Horses of the Southeast US • Large plantations of the southeast US created the need for saddle horses • As a result horse racing became a popular sport

7. Golden Age of the Horse • ~1890’s until the large scale mechanization of agriculture • The rise of mechanization and commerce led to a rise in the number of horses a record high of nearly 21.5 million horses in 1915 (USA only) • Compared to around 6.9 million today (USA)

8. The Horseless Carriage • Henry Ford starts producing the first affordable automobile in 1908 • This ushered in the age of mechanization • Leads to a decrease in the number of horses • Not until 1950’s do the number of automobiles and tractors surpass the number of horses • Horse numbers reached an all time low of 3.1 million in 1960

9. Millions of Horses, Autos, Tractors

10. Replacing the Horse • As the country became more urbanized and the automobile becomes more popular the need for horses as a means of transportation decreases • The number of tractors used on farms passes the number of horses used in 1954

11. The Horse Today • Most horses today are light horse breeds popular for pleasure riding and recreation • Texas, Oklahoma, and California have the highest horse populations • The Quarter horse, Paint, and Thoroughbred are the three largest breeds

12. The future of the Horse • Horse populations are rebounding as they become more popular for recreational riding because people have more time and money for leisure activities • The need for horses for recreation and sport will be the dominant factor in the future of the horse industry in NC (and the USA).

13. Importance of the Equine Industry

14. Dollars and Cents of the Industry • Total impact on US GDP is $112.1 billion annually • Directly produces goods and services worth ~ $25 billion. • More impact on US GDP than: • Motion picture services; railroad transportation; furniture manufacturing; tobacco product manufacturing • Only slightly less than apparel and textiles manufacturing

15. Why is the impact important? • Have you heard recently (or not so recently) about all of the jobs in those areas (especially textile and furniture manufacturing) that have been lost? • The media frenzy and government response to those losses has been huge. • The equine industry is just as important economically as those are.

16. Revenue Sources • Direct revenue is from the sale of horses, breeding (Stud) fees, races, shows, rodeos and entertainment • Indirect revenue comes from feed sales, training fees, vet and farrier fees, transportation, labor, and equipment

17. Scope of the Industry • Highly diverse and found in all regions of the country • Urban activities often include the operation of racetracks, horse shows and public sales • Rural activities include breeding, training, maintaining, and riding horses • Riding stables provide a riding experience for a fee for people who don’t own horses • Boarding stables keep horses for owners who live in urban areas or who don’t have space for them at home

18. Horse Numbers • Of the 6.9 million horses in the US: • 725,000 are used for racing and the race industry • 1,924,000 show horses • 2,970,000 horses used for recreation • 1,262,800 horses used for ranch work, rodeos, polo, and police work

20. Jobs • ~1.4 million people are employed either directly or indirectly through jobs created by the equine industry • The industry employs more people than railroads, radio and TV broadcasting, petroleum and coal product manufacturing.

21. More Jobs • There are roughly the same number of people directly involved with horses as there are horses • 7.1 million Americans are directly involved as horse owners, service providers, employees, and volunteers. • 941,000 are involved in horse racing, either professionally or as volunteers • 3.6 million are involved with show horses, some of whom are counted in the 4.3 million involved with horses for recreation

22. Horse Sports • 110+ million people each year attend races, rodeos, horse shows, etc • Racetrack attendance alone numbers 70 million • Over $13 billion is wagered on horse racing • Pair-mutual waging is a system used to predict the odds of an outcome of a race, the chance that a certain horse will win, etc

23. Triple Crown of Horse Racing • Comprised of the three most famous races: • Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs • Preakness at Pamlico in Baltimore • Belmont Stakes at Elmont, NY • Famous Triple Crown winners include War Admiral, Whirlaway, Citation, and Secretariat

24. Rodeos and Performances • Nationwide there are about 800 sanctioned rodeos and 2,200 performances each year • The largest rodeo is held in Las Vegas and awards over $2 million in prize money • Other major rodeos are held in TX, AZ, ID, WY, CO, and Calgary, Canada • NC hosts many rodeos as fund raisers, special events, and fair attractions

25. Pleasure Riding • Over 27 million people ride horses as a form of recreation • Pleasure riding is the 3rd most popular activity at the National Forests in NC (behind viewing scenery and camping).

26. Other Uses for Horses • Crowd and Riot control for police • NYPD Mounted Police Unit is the oldest in the US and has 110 horses with plans for more • Many of think of Canadian Mounties when thinking of MPU’s. • Working stock on large cattle ranches • Therapeutic riding to provide treatment to individuals with disabilities