UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The equine science program in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences is conducting an economic-impact study of the Pennsylvania horse industry this fall, which will yield information about the current scope and nature of Pennsylvania's equine community.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, through the State Horse and Harness Racing commissions, has contracted with the department of dairy and animal science to conduct the survey. It will assess the composition and nature of Pennsylvania's equine industry, including its direct and indirect impacts on the state's economy through sales, employment, taxes and other indicators. Contributions to the quality of life of equine owners and participants in equine activities also will be assessed.

Pennsylvania's last study of the economic impact of horses in the state was done in 1990. That survey showed that the equine industry generated $4 billion in annual economic activity, was responsible for 22,000 jobs and provided local and state governments with more than $66 million a year in tax revenue.

"The Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association, Pennsylvania Equine Council, the Pennsylvania Horse and Harness Racing commissions and 131 clubs and equine groups will support the survey by providing addresses," says Ann Swinker, extension horse specialist, who is directing the survey. "We want to thank all the equine groups that contributed to the final mailing list. We feel this list is representative of the entire industry.

"We will be asking every individual horse owner who receives a survey to take the time to fill it out and return it," she adds. "The participant information will be held in strict confidence and used only for this study.

After the study is completed, all records will be destroyed. We want to assure everyone that this is horse people measuring horse people."

Swinker points out that the survey needs a high return rate to develop valid results. "Postage-paid envelopes will accompany questionnaires," she says. "Returned questionnaires will be coded and information entered into a computer database for analysis. A descriptive report of the findings will be prepared and published."

Swinker notes that 10,000 horse owners (a sample of the original 37,000 addresses collected) will be mailed questionnaires. She encourages all horse owners who receive a survey to participate in the study. For more information, call Swinker at 814-865-7810 or send e-mail to aswinker@psu.edu. The findings of the study will be available to user groups, free of charge, both in print and in electronic format. The project report is slated to be completed and available in spring 2003.

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EDITORS: Contact Ann Swinker at 814-865-7810 or e-mail aswinker@psu.edu.

Contact: Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-863-9877 fax #265