The equine industry in Kentucky is a major part of the state's agribusiness, including sectors involved in horse breeding and rearing, racing, buying and selling, and tourism. According to a study by the University of Kentucky, the equine industry contributed $3 billion to the state economy in 2012 and generated 40,665 jobs.[1] Some job estimates range as high as 96,000 when considering secondary impacts such as tourism.[2] Kentucky is the United States' leading producer of horses overall,[3] and the number one producer of Thoroughbreds, with 30% of the national foaling total.[4] In 2009, stud fees and horse sales totaled $4.26 billion, making horses the state's second most profitable agricultural product.[2] Purebred horses exported from Kentucky were worth between approximately 150 and 175 million dollars each year from 2012 to 2015.[5]
In 2010, the Thoroughbred breeding industry alone generated 10,797 jobs, plus an additional 6,860 indirectly related jobs.[2]
- ^ Holly Wiemers (September 6, 2013), "Study shows state's equine industry has $3 billion economic impact", UK AgNews, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- ^ a b c "Equine Industry - Fayette Alliance". Fayette Alliance. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ^ 2015 STATE AGRICULTURE OVERVIEW, USDA, 2015
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
KYAgFunwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ State exports from Kentucky, United States Bureau of the Census, November 17, 2016