As the American Horse Council (AHC) continues to collect responses from the 2023 Equine Economic Impact Survey, two of the more industry-specific surveys are being released to shine a spotlight on impacts horses make within their communities.
The equine-assisted services, known also as equine-assisted therapy or interventions, involves incorporating horses into therapeutic and developmental activities. These activities support individuals with various physical, emotional, cognitive or psychological challenges. These services are conducted by trained professionals such as therapists, counselors or educators, in collaboration with horses. It is a sector of the industry that has a large individual impact, while its cumulative economic impact has yet to be measured…until this year.
“Equine-assisted services is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the equine industry,” says Julie Broadway, president of the AHC. “It goes almost without saying that horses improve the body, mind and spirit of those they are around.
The Equine-Assisted Services survey will be distributed via the AHC through partner organizations like PATH Intl. EAGLA, Horses for Mental Health, Certified Horsemanship Association, American Hippotherapy Association, and many more. Plus, we will be sharing this on social media and through press releases to hopefully invite individual practitioners to contribute. Find the EAS survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AHC_EAS_Survey
The impact of horses as part of the world of academia is mostly measured in terms of graduates with degrees in equine science on their path towards veterinary school. However, equines in academia have an impact on more industries outside of the veterinarian and professional trainer industry – including researchers, and other niche aspects of the industry. Horses have been a part of college programs for many years and are seeing an increase as part of high school and even grade school programs. Because of this growth, the AHC will be distributing economic impact surveys to schools of all levels with horses as part of their academia.
“We are so excited to learn about the leaders of tomorrow's equine industry, and there's no better way than to get statistics on the on the faculty and students in schools studying equine-related programs,” says Broadway. “We believe there are 200+ schools with equine-related programs, and we hope to quantify the impacts those schools and their students could make on the future of our industry.”
These surveys are being circulated by Equine Science Society, IHSA, NEAAA, and others. But feel free to contact AHC at info@horsecouncil.org if you'd like to receive the survey.
Responses for the general economic impact survey have climbed to over 13,000 since its launch in April. The 2023 Equine Economic Impact Survey is live until September 29, with more specific groups being reported than ever before. Also, for the first time, responders are automatically given a coupon for 15% off their purchase of any books, courtesy of Trafalgar Square Books, and they are eligible to win one of many prizes, including a year of free grain from Purina or Nutrena, a John Deere Z545R ZTrak Mower and online courses with Texas A&M University.
The Horse Owner Survey and Horse Industry Supplier Survey are both available on the AHC website, found here: https://horsecouncil.org/economic-impact-study/. To be included in mailings for the more specific surveys, email Julie Broadway: jbroadway@horsecouncil.org.
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