American Horse Council & AHC Foundation Announce Economic Impact Study Milestone
(Washington D.C.) The American Horse Council (AHC) and the AHC Foundation are delighted to announce that the 2023 AHC Economic Impact Study has reached significant milestones in its distribution. More than 500 copies have been disseminated across 35 states and ten foreign countries. The 2023 report has been cited in the press, Congressional testimony, state legislatures, local governments, academic research, and private sector market studies. This achievement underscores the importance and significance of the growing influence of the equine industry within the agricultural industry.
Julie Broadway, President of the American Horse Council and the AHC Foundation, stated, “Our Economic Impact Study, with its extensive data, has long been considered the ‘gold standard’—the only comprehensive picture of the entire U.S. horse industry. It’s not a census; it’s something more. It provides context to the numbers, allowing users to analyze and apply the data for public policy and business decisions.”
Broadway continued, “This is what we use to make our case for the significance of the horse industry. We are an economic engine—horse-powered. Our total value added to the U.S. economy is $177 billion. We account for 2.2 million jobs. That’s not horse hockey—those are the facts.”
Board Chair Marilyn Bertera added, “The AHC has conducted National Economic Impact Studies since the 1980s, including in 1987, 1997, 2007, 2017, and most recently in 2023. These studies tell an evolving story. They highlight how much the horse community and industry contribute to job creation, consumer spending, and tax revenue. By quantifying the industry’s contributions, we strengthen the case for advancing equine health and welfare.”
To obtain a copy of the 2023 study, go to 2023 Economic Impact Study – The American Horse Council
The American Horse Council is the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C. The American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities.