December 2021/January 2022 Issue

Page 22 December 2021/January 2022 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the equine industry is stable based on the number of horses owned/ managed, according to the results of a survey by American Horse Publications (AHP) sponsored by Zoetis. The survey, which includes responses from 7,267 horse owners/managers, found that the top three issues facing the industry are land use issues, hors- es in transition or at risk, and the increased cost of horse keeping. And, while vaccination rates are stable, survey respondents indi- cated they are following updated deworming recommendations and adjusting their frequency if needed. Jill Stowe, Ph.D., professor of agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky, analyzed the data and consulted on the re- sults. The survey, conducted from January 18 through April 9, 2021, gauged participation trends and management practices in the U.S. equine industry, identified critical issues facing the equine industry, and to understand approaches to horse health care. Stability Through the Pandemic The average respondent owns/manages about six horses. 75.2% indicated that number is the same as in 2020, and 10.4% own/manage more horses than they did in 2020. 73% expect to own/manage the same number of horses in 2022, 17.3% expect to own/manage more horses and 9.7% expect to own/manage few- er horses. Comparing this to the 2018 survey, this is an increase in expected stability. American Horse Publications Equine Industry Survey Demonstrates Stability Horse Ownership As in previous studies, the frequency of owning/managing more horses in the survey year (2021) than in the previous year (2020) is decreasing with age; 21.8% of respondents in the 18- 24 age category report owning/ managing more horses in 2021 than in 2020, while only 5.4% of respondents in the 65+ age category report owning/managing more horses. Projecting one year in the future: 31.1% of respon- dents in the 18-24 age category expect to own/manage more hors- es in 2022 than in 2021, while only 10.2% of respondents in the 65+ age category report the same expectation. Event Participation Survey participants expect to compete in an average of 4.3 events in 2021, less than the 5 competitions reported in the 2018 study. More than 45% of the respondents do not plan on competing at all in 2021, up from 38.7% in 2018. Horse keeping Costs Feed (including hay and concentrates) continues to be the most frequently identified area in which horse keeping costs have increased. This is followed by costs of veterinary services (41%) and animal health products (39%), which are stable from the 2018 study. However, the cost of barn supplies has significantly in- creased since 2018, from 12.2% to 22%. Frequently mentioned sources of increased costs in the “other” category were fencing, building materials and insurance. 22.2% of respondents identified fuel/transportation as a primary source of increased horse keeping costs. It is important to note that if this survey had been conducted later in 2021, when there was a sharp increase in gas and lumber prices, this percentage may have been higher. The rise in horse keeping costs could force busi- nesses to raise prices even if they don’t want to. Looking at how to accom- modate for horse keeping costs, most respondents reported they will reduce expenditures in other areas of their lives (60%), attend fewer competitions (22.2%) and pursue other income opportuni- ties (21.3%). Issues Facing the Equine Industry The most frequently selected issue facing the equine industry was land use issues (43.5%), followed closely by horses in transition or at risk (43.1%), and cost of horse keeping (42.8%). Frequently mentioned issues in the “other” category include animal rights activists, competi- tion costs, liability and over-reg- ulation. Although there are overar- ching issues that span the entire equine industry, there are certain issues of heightened concern in particular areas of the country. For example, zip code regions 4 (Indiana, Kentucky, Michi- gan and Ohio) and 7 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas) had the highest percentage of respondents selecting illegal medication of performance horses and ineffective welfare laws. Respondents in zip code region 3, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennes- see, were most likely to select the practice of soring as a key issue. Horse Health Care Veterinarians administer vac- cines for 65.4% of respondents’ horses, continuing a gradual up- ward trend from previous surveys (58.2% in 2012, 61.4% in 2015 and 63% in 2018). The percent of respondents who administer the vaccines themselves continues to decrease. The most common vacci- nation-related issues discussed with the veterinarian were what the horse is being vaccinated for (63.7%), followed by American Association of Equine Prac- titioners (AAEP) vaccination recommendations (40.6%). Since the 2018 survey, horse owners and veterinarian conversations surrounding vaccination proto- cols have decreased. More than 72% of respon- dents say their veterinarian is the leading influence for where they purchase their equine vaccines, with price being the second lead- ing influence (13.3%). Deworming Respondents indicate that they are adhering to new de- worming recommendations. The percentage of horse owners who are deworming 1 to 3 times a year has increased, while the percentage of those who are de- worming up to 6 times a year has decreased. More than half of respon- dents (54.4%) indicate their veterinarian is involved in developing their horses’ deworm- ing schedules—the first time this figure has eclipsed the 50% mark. Just under 60% report their veter- inarians recommend a fecal egg count test, declining from nearly 78% in 2018. Respondents indicate that they purchase dewormers from chain stores, local feed stores and online. Veterinarians are reported to have the most influence on dewormer purchasing decisions and their role has become more prominent than indicated in pre- vious studies. Timing of Surveys Can Be Meaningful The 2021 AHP Equine In- dustry Survey continues to build upon the first four surveys (2009- 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2018) to help understand dynamics within the equine industry. The initial survey was conducted as recov- ery from the Great Recession in ’08 and ’09 was underway, and the following two surveys were able to track recovery in the equine industry. “The timing of the 2021 survey is fortuitous because it comes on the heels of a world- wide economic slowdown due to the global COVID-19 pan- demic—a health event not seen in more than a century,” said Dr. Stowe. “Accordingly, it can serve as an important benchmark in the health of the equine industry now and in the future.” The 2021 survey was limited to those who currently own or manage at least one horse, are 18 years of age or older and live in the United States. The survey col- lected 8,029 responses, of which 7,267 were useable. It’s All Good News as Work to Ride Breaks Ground on $8 Million Facility National Interscholastic Polo Championship in 2011 and 2012, WTR riders have amassed an impressive array of individual honors: • Jabarr Rosser was voted the Number One National Inter- scholastic Polo All Star player in 2005; • Kareem and Jaymar Rosser ranked Number One and Number Three National Interscholastic All-Star players in 2011; • Kareem Rosser was named Polo Training Foundation Male Interscholastic Polo Player of the Year in 2011; • Daymar Rosser, Brandon Rease and Julia Smith were Southeast Regional All-Star play- ers in 2011; • Daymar Rosser and teammates at Roger Williams University won the United States Polo Association National Inter- collegiate Polo Championship in 2017; • Shariah Harris became the first African-American female to play 20-goal polo in 2017, and on and on. The lesson here is both obvious and complicated. Hiner recognized the connection between a rigorous work ethic and success, and she saw the often-harsh realities faced by the young people in WTR. She (Continued from page 1) understood that as much as they wanted to be with the horses, and to fulfill their obligations to WTR, many of them were facing violent and chaotic lives in their neighborhoods and their homes. She created a space where her kids, as she calls them, could be safe, and be part of a nurturing community. Broadening the Base Ruth Schemm, chair of the WTR board, draws an imagi- nary triangle as she describes the organization’s plans. “The success stories are at the top of the triangle,” she explains. “One of our goals is to expand the bottom of the triangle, to reach more kids.” It’s clear that WTR has a recipe for success, but they are limited by their current space, and resources. Hiner reminded people about the critical role WTR has played in the community. “The Work to Ride barn has been a home away from home for young people from nearby dense urban communities for nearly 30 years. They have learned to ride, worked hard for the privilege, and have opened up amazing new possibilities for their lives.” The expansion of the physical property will provide opportunities to more young people, expanding the base of that triangle. City Councilman Curtis Jones congratulated WTR and its board for the organization’s many achievements. “We want in our old age to be treated as well as Lezlie’s horses— groomed every day, fed every day, dental care and occasionally new shoes. How grateful we are not only to have WTR but the people here.” And Rosser encouraged people to keep in touch with WTR and its progress. “If it’s your first visit here, don’t let it be your last.” To find out more about WTR, or to donate to their work, check their website: worktoride.net. (Left) Shariah Harris and Work to Ride Executive Director and Founder Lezlie Hiner. (Right) Kareem Rosser started at Work to Ride when he was eight years old. Photo credit: Suzanne Bush