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Equine Industry Survey Overload – What You Need To Know

In recent months, several surveys have been circulated regarding the U.S. horse industry. The American Horse Council (AHC) wishes to clarify these to avoid confusion and misunderstanding of the data collection methodologies, audiences, and findings. While all the surveys collect and publish data regarding the U.S. horse industry, each survey has different target audiences and different definitions.

AHC Equine Economic Impact Survey
The most comprehensive survey comes from the National Economic Impact of the U.S. Horse Industry conducted by the AHC Foundation which surveys all horse owners and stakeholders in the industry. Typically, this study occurs every five years, and is currently underway through September 29, 2023. The data from this survey is completely anonymous. Conducting an economic impact study creates an awareness of and an interest in the equine industry, helps provide positive relationships, including congressional and media relations, identifies local partners and supporters and offers an opportunity to recognize those relationships, identifies the industry as a player in the local, state & national economy and allows the industry to advertise itself by first identifying its contributions. This survey differs from the USDA-sponsored National Agriculture Statistic Service census because of the limitations placed on the USDA census.

Specialty entities that are being collected through this survey include: carriage operators, equine-assisted therapy groups, equines in academia, racetracks and commissions, and more.

You can find the AHC Equine Economic Impact Survey here: https://horsecouncil.org/economic-impact-study/

USDA, National Animal Health Monitoring System
The USDA, National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) periodically conducts an Equine Needs Assessment Survey to identify key issues and information gaps related to herd health. Currently, NAHMS is doing is in the development stage of the next study and is surveying the equine industry to help shape the study's objectives. This survey is currently active through October 1, 2023. The full survey will take pace in 2026.

USDA, National Agriculture Statistic Service
The USDA, National Agriculture Statistic Service (NASS) conducts an agriculture census every five years. This census counts only horses that are on working farms. This definition excludes boarding, training, and riding facilities; as well as any other operation that fails to generate a minimum of $1,000 in sales of equine products, defined as “breeding fees, stud fees, semen or other”. This census misses the majority of the horse population in the United States as well as a majority of the impact horses have on their communities.

PetSource
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) publishes a report on pets called “PetSource”. While horses are defined as “livestock”, the AVMA study does ask owners about all types of animals in their care and thus publishes the number of horses reported and health/veterinary care issues.

AAEP, Equine Network
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in conjunction with Equine Network publications EquiManagement, The Horse, EQUUS and Horse & Rider just completed a survey of horse owners relating to their experiences with veterinary services and care.

University of Kentucky
Most recently the University of Kentucky has announced an equine health survey for horse owners in the state of Kentucky.

While the number of surveys can seem like overload, it's important that horse owners and horse-related business owners take the time to complete as many as they can, as each survey can have a positive impact on the equine industry. Having accurate numbers can help support legislation, fund local events and support horses and their owners in a variety of ways.

For more information on the AHC Equine Economic Impact Survey, contact AHC President Julie Broadway: jbroadway@horsecouncil.org.

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‘He Was So Much Fun’: Champion Amazombie Euthanized At Old Friends

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., is deeply saddened to announce that Amazombie, the 2011 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner and 2011 Eclipse Award winning Champion Sprinter, was euthanized on Monday, Sept. 18 due to a fractured ankle.

The 16-year old bay gelding arrived at the farm in 2014 courtesy of his trainer/owner, William “Bill” Spawr, and co-owner Thomas Sanford, who continued to support him during his retirement.

Bred by Gregg Anderson, Amazombie, who was by Northern Afleet–Wilshe Amaze, by In Excess (Ire), was foaled on April 18, 2006 in California.

The story of how Spawr purchased Amazombie is an interesting one.

About a year before Amazombie ran his first race, Spawr was at a farm talking with his friend, Judd Morse, who would eventually break Amazombie.

“It was a cold day, with heavy fog, and we all had hoodies on,” Spawr noted.

While there, two horses walked by and Morse told Spawr to go take a look at them. At the time, Spawr didn't have a lot of money, but his friend convinced him to go look anyway.

Spawr did and then asked, “Well, which is the best one?”

Morse said the one called Smoke No More.

Spawr said, “Well, if you got him for $5,000 it would be a good deal.”

The following day, Morse called Spawr and said the owner had accepted his offer.

A few weeks later Morse called Spawr and told him, “…those two horses will be in tomorrow.”

Spawr replied, “What do you mean, those 'two' horses?”

Well, it turned out Morse had been talking about Spawr buying both horses, not just the one, and as Spawr describes it now, “Amazombie turned out to be the 'throw in.'” And what a throw in that horse turned out to be.

Spawr took ownership of Amazombie late in 2008, and the horse made his first start for him in 2009 as a 3-year old, finishing second in a maiden special weight race at Del Mar. Then, in his fifth and final start of the year, he broke his maiden by winning a maiden special weight race at Hollywood Park.

In 2010 as a 4-year old, Amazombie became more successful, winning two allowance races, one at Santa Anita and the other at Hollywood Park. He also won two allowance optional claiming races, both at Hollywood Park.

In 2011 as a 5-year old, Amazombie finally hit his stride and had his best year. He opened his season with a win in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes (Black Type) at Santa Anita for his first stakes victory.

That year he also won the Potrero Grande Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita for his first graded-stakes victory, along with the Tiznow Stakes (Black Type) at Hollywood Park, and the Ancient Title Stakes (G1) back at Santa Anita. (He had also won the Los Angeles Handicap (G3) that year at Hollywood Park, but was disqualified and placed third for interfering in the stretch with M One Rifle, who was moved up to second, while second-place finisher, Camp Victory, was given the win.)

All of that led up to the 2011 Breeders' Cup races in November at Churchill Downs, which Amazombie was originally not nominated to run in at the time. However, according to Spawr, on the final day that nominations could be submitted, he was sitting with a friend at the track. Late that afternoon, he got a call and they said that he should get his horse into the Breeders' Cup, as he would be one of the favorites.

Spawr told the caller that he really didn't have the money to do it, while at the same time, his friend had overheard the conversation and was writing a check for him to nominate his horse.

“So my friend and Jon Lindo (another friend), got together and put up the money so Amazombie could run in the Breeders' Cup.”

And, Amazombie didn't let them down. On Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs, ridden by Hall of Fame jockey, Mike Smith, who rode the horse in many of his races, Amazombie scored his biggest career triumph and won an exciting running of the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) by a neck over Force Freeze.

For his winning efforts in 2011, Amazombie was named the Eclipse Award winner as Champion Sprinter.

Amazombie returned to the track in 2012 as a 6-year old and scored a repeat win in the Potrero Grande Stakes (G2) on April 7 at Santa Anita with Smith riding once again and capturing his 5,000th career victory. Amazombie also won the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar later that year.

Then on Nov. 3, he tried to win his second consecutive Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), which was being held at Santa Anita, but he finished eighth and was retired. He closed out his career with 12 wins, five seconds, six thirds, and $1,920,378 in earnings in 29 career starts.

It should be noted that between Oct. 15, 2010 and July 29, 2012, Amazombie was in the money in 17 straight races, most of them stakes races, which included seven stakes wins.

In 2014, Amazombie was retired to Old Friends thanks to Spawr and Sanford, and he arrived at the farm on Oct. 7, 2014. In an interesting twist of fate, he was accompanied on his flight to Kentucky and then to Old Friends with Game On Dude, who was also being retired to the farm at the same time.

“Amazombie was a lot of fun,” said Spawr in remembering his horse. “He was so much fun, you just can't imagine. And, you know, he died doing what he loved to do – run! … You guys (at Old Friends) did a great job. We appreciated that.”

Added Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends,“Amazombie died doing what he did best – running like the wind. I like all of our retirees, I love just a handful, and we lost one of those when Amazombie outran his limitations, and I'm certain that I'm not the only one who is heartbroken.”

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Commentary: Will Rising Temperatures Affect How Horses Compete?

A Florida-based horse show competitor has weighed in with Heels Down magazine on how climate change might affect how riders train their horses in the future.

Though high heat and humidity are a common occurrence in Florida, the summer temperatures have risen even more than expected over the last few years, she said, making training and conditioning horses safely more difficult.

This year was no exception to the high temperatures, and other parts of the United States also experienced intense heat waves. In Florida, even the nights brought no reprieve, with “feels like” temperatures still over 100 degrees F after the sun went down.

Extreme heat advisories have been issued multiple days in a row, so many horses are kept in stalls during the heat of the day, under fans or misters. Even so, the horse shows continue, particularly for riders seeking to qualify for year-end championship competition or those needing to keep their horses fit it preparation for the competition.

At what point does training for these competitions threaten equine welfare? Will riding and showing in air conditioned arenas become the “new normal?” Will riders in the South travel North for the summer to continue to ride? And what does this mean for riders who can't afford such luxuries?

Though the author offered no answers, she is steadfast in her belief that equine health and welfare should be top priorities, especially when they are asked to work and compete in weather extremes.

Economic, Environmental Pressures Slow Demand For Retired Racehorses In Australia

Economic and environmental pressures have caused demand for retired racehorses to slow in Australia, reports Racing.com.

Nicki Cook, a trainer who works with Racing Victoria's Off the Track program, specializes in retraining retired racehorses out of her program Shory Park Horses. She has said that the slowdown has affected her business and she fears the ramifications may be insurmountable if conditions persist.

Cook has re-trained and sold hundreds of retired racehorses, but says that she is struggling to sell any of the 25 she currently has in her care; she has sold just one since the beginning of August.

She believes that higher interest rates, increased cost of living and feed prices, and threat of drought have combined to make potential horse owners reluctant to buy, particularly Thoroughbreds. Cook traditionally would be able to sell a horse after giving it six weeks of retraining, but she now has the horse in her care for about six months. Some of the quirkier horses she's had in her care for almost two years.

Prices for the horses have also markedly declined; while she used to be able to demand $3,000 to $5,000 per horse, she now can't sell some of the completely retrained horses for even $1,000.

Cook is a recognized trainer with Racing Victoria, meaning she receives $100 per month for each horse in her care from the organization. The program is funded through a two percent deduction from the state's overall purse pool.

Currently her farm is full, with no ability to take on more horses, though trainers call her each week with horses needing a place to go as they retire.

In an effort to offset her expenses, which are nearly $7,500 per week, Cook has had to adjust her business plan which will now include selling horses directly from the track with no retraining, in addition to lowering the price tag on some of her trained horses.

Retired racehorses will arrive at Cook's farm, be assessed and ridden very minimally: in the arena, down the road and over a jump. If the horses are sound and willing, they will immediately be offered for sale. She is hopeful that this move will allow her to sell more horses more rapidly, opening stalls for those horses that are retiring from the track and in need of a place to land.