UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will conduct an economic impact study of the Pennsylvania equine industry beginning fall 2002. The study will provide knowledge of the current scope and nature of Pennsylvania's equine community, enhancing government and citizen understanding.

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 impact 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. Data from Pennsylvania's last study of the economic impact of horses in the state was collected in 1990. It 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 and the Pennsylvania Horse and Harness Racing commissions have committed to support this very important survey by providing addresses," says Ann Swinker, extension horse specialist, who is directing the survey. "It is key that the list we develop be representative of the entire industry.

"We will be asking every equine association with membership in the state and individual horse owners to provide their addresses so they are represented in this study," she adds. "The addresses will be held in confidence and used only for the distribution of questionnaires. After the study is completed, all records will be destroyed. We want to assure everyone that this will be horse people measuring horse people."

Swinker pointed out that the survey needs a high return rate to develop valid results. "We will be undertaking a public relations campaign to ask that those who receive a questionnaire take the time to complete and return it," she explained. "A postage-paid envelope will accompany the questionnaire. 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 encourages all horse owners and equine organizations to participate in the study. Equine groups interested in contributing their mailing lists or individual horse owners wanting to participate in the study should contact Ann Swinker, The Pennsylvania State University, 324 Henning Building, University Park, PA 16802. For more information, call Swinker at 814-865-7810 or e-mail her at aswinker@psu.edu.

"We prefer the lists be sent on disk, but will gladly take them in any form," she says. "The Pennsylvania Horse and Harness Racing commissions are to be commended for their efforts to have the state agriculture funds awarded to conduct this much-needed equine population study for Pennsylvania."

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 the spring of 2003.

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

Contact: Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax #186