World and US Distribution of Horses

Main Idea How many horses, donkeys and mules are found in the United State and around the world?

Horse population rises and falls Higher demand 1800s and early 1900s Increased manufacturing, commerce, and agriculture As high as 21 million horses in 1915 Numbers dropped with gasoline and electric power 1960 – about 3 million horses in the U.S. Now – about 4-7 million horses in the U.S. Most horses, donkeys and mules outside the U.S. Only 8% of world’s horses in the U.S. Less than 1% of world’s donkeys and mules in the U.S.

Horse Numbers World horse population about 55.3 52% in Asia and South America Significant numbers in Mexico, Africa, Europe, and the United States U.S. numbers are hard to track Some state track numbers for their states

Donkey and Mule Numbers Donkey world total: about 40.4 million 80% found in Africa and Asia Only 52,000 in the U.S. (FAO estimate) Mexico has over 3 million Many still used for work and transportation Mule world total: about 12.6 million 84% in Mexico, South America and Asia Only 28,000 in the U.S. (FAO estimate) Actual numbers are difficult to find

Distribution in the United States Top 10 States Texas Oklahoma Kentucky Tennessee Missouri Ohio California Pennsylvania Colorado Michigan More facts Texas – twice as many as any other state Includes registered breeds and unregistered horses Annual breed registries Quarter horse: 100,000 Thoroughbred: 36,000 Arabian: 10,000

Economic Impact in the U.S. Based on 1996 study by the American Horse Council Horses contribute $112 billion per year Related goods and services = $25 billion per year 7 million Americans involved in the horse industry 1.4 million full-time jobs

How horses are used Racing: 725,000 Showing: 1,974,000 Recreation: 2,970,000 Other (including farming): 1,262,000