Equine

CHAPTER 1, SECTION 4

U.S. HORSE INVENTORY: 6.9 million EQUINE

States with the most horses and ponies:

California, Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky

Source: USDA Census of Agriculture, 2012

The United States has a rich tradition as a horse nation that is highly diverse and broad-based in all regions of the country. The U.S. equine industry spans a wide variety of uses and activities. From premier breeding and training facilities to racing and equine athletes (dressage, jumping, and English and Western activities), as well as farm and ranch work and recreational riding and showing, the U.S. offers something for everyone in the equine industry.

With a horse population of nearly 7 million head, the genetic diversity offered by the U.S. horse-breeding industry is unparalleled by any other country.

The offspring of horses bred in the U.S. can be seen on farms and ranches, race tracks, and in show arenas around the world.

USLGE presents how to find, buy and import a horse from the United States, home to some of the world’s best horses. More USLGE videos about importing U.S. livestock and genetics is available in several languages at USLGE’s YouTube channel.

HORSE BREED MEMBERS OF USLGE

Each equine breed offers unique characteristics, and the U.S. is the source of global excellence in equine genetics. The following are U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (USLGE) members.

AMERICAN MINIATURE HORSE

The American Miniature Horse can be found in more than 20 countries. They are known as the “large horse in a small package,” with all horses under 86.4 cm.

www.amha.org

AMERICAN PAINT HORSE

The American Paint Horse’s combination of color and conformation has made it one of the most popular breeds in the U.S., with a colorful coat pattern and distinctive stock-horse body type.

www.apha.com

AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE

The American Quarter Horse numbers more than 5 million registered horses worldwide. The versatile, popular breed is known to excel in ranch work and thrives in the show pen and on the race track.

www.aqha.com

ARABIAN

Purebred Arabian horses remain largely unchanged from their roots in ancient Arabia. The breed is known for athletic talent in a variety of disciplines from English to Western, with a reputation for endurance events.

www.arabianhorses.org

CLYDESDALE

The magnificent Clydesdale horse has been registered in the United States since 1879. Top-quality Clydesdale stallions, mares and geldings are displayed at national and regional horse shows and sales.

www.clydesusa.com

TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE

Known as a smooth-riding breed, the Tennessee Walking Horse was initially used to cover miles of ground. Today, they are desired worldwide for their calm disposition, dependability and smooth ground-covering gait.

www.twhbea.com

THOROUGHBRED

The U.S. is the biggest producer of Thoroughbred race horses in the world. The state of Kentucky is the largest exporter of live horses. Today, Thoroughbred racing exists in 69 countries, with American horses dominating across six continents.

www.kentuckybred.org