The Virginia Agricultural Statistics Service for the first time conducted a survey of Virginia's horse industry in 2001 and released the data in December 2002. The survey determined that:
* 170,000 horses make Virginia the 5th largest equine state in the U.S.
* $802.7 million created in business sales for the state
* $1.46 billion = total value of all horses
* 20,000 jobs generated
* $99.4 million dollars of equines sold in 2001 make horses the 7th largest agricultural commodity in Virginia based on cash receipts.
* $2,969/year is the average Virginians spend on their horses. This translates into $505 million annually in direct expenditures supporting horses.
* Some 44.5% of owners use their horses for trail riding/ pleasure.
In addition, the Virginia Horse Industry Board awarded a grant to the Virginia Equine Educational Foundation to conduct a further economic study of the industry. The Wessex Group completed this expanded study and released the results in early 2003. Some of these key data include:
* $55.8 million is paid by Virginia equine owners/operators in direct wages & salaries-creating an impact of $87.2 million in the state.
* Over 800,000 persons participate in/attend some 700 equine events in Virginia each year & spend $167 million.
Horse Board Grant Winners for Fiscal Year 2007-2008
Some 33 grant proposals were submitted to the Virginia Horse Industry Board by the March 1st deadline for consideration for fiscal year 2007-2008. Board members recently met and approved 17 of these grant projects for funding for a total of $81,884.
The list of winning projects, the name and affiliation of the person submitting the project, and the amount of funding awarded by the Virginia Horse Industry Board are listed below according to category:
| Education | |
| Virginia State 4-H Horse Show - Connie Collier, State 4-H Horse Show Committee | $2,000 |
| State Fair Draft Horse Hitch Educational Exhibit - Sue Mullins, State Fair | $1,500 |
| Virginia Quarter Horse Association Open Show Program & Clinic Series - Jeff Ringer, VQHA | $5,000 |
| Promotion of the Art and Science of Reining Within the Commonwealth of Virginia - Joy Blake, Blue Ridge Reining Association | $1,075 |
| EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program Mobile Equestrian Outreach - Barbara Ford, EQUI-KIDS | $1,900 |
| VA Draft Horse & Mule Association Continuing Education Project - Roscoe Goode, VDMHA | $1,500 |
| VA Foundation for Agriculture In the Classroom Literacy Project - Karen Davis, AITC | $3,500 |
| VA Future Farmers of America Horse Judging & Hippology Career Development Events - Sharon Williams, FFA | $3,410 |
| Development of Equine Studies Internship Program to Promote the VA Horse Industry - Patricia Graham-Thiers, PhD, VA Intermont College | $1,500 |
| Research: | |
| Determining Effects of Season & Pasture on Blood Markers of Endocrine Disease in Horses/Ponies - Raymond Geor, DVM, PhD, & K. Treiber, MARE Center | $10,230 |
| Comparison of Nutrients at Different Stages of Maturity During Single Growing Season to Aid in Equine Obesity Management - Craig Thatcher, DVM, PhD, & M. Taylor, S. Pleasant - all at VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine; R. Geor; C. Teutsch, Southern Piedmont Ag Research/Extension Center | $7,969 |
| Mechanisms of Suppressed In Vitro PMA/I Stimulated Proliferation in EPM Horses—Sharon Witonsky, DVM, PhD, VMRCVM | $3,000 |
| Anti-Oxidant Status of Peripartum Mares & Neonatal Foals - Martin Furr, DVM,PhD, VMRCVM/Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center, & R. Geor, MARE Center | $6,550 |
| Marketing: | |
| Expanding Virginia Horse Council’s Service to the Equine Industry - Keli Harold, VHC | $27,500 |
| VA State Animal Response Team Website - Robin Schmitz, VSART | $3,005 |
| Promotion of Jousting Ring Tournament in VA - Monica Banton, VA State Jousting Association/National Jousting Association | $745 |
| Horse & Wagon/Artillery Historical Programming in Fairfax County - Michael Bosworth, Sully Plantation | $1,500 |
Total Funding Approved | $81,884 |
Since 1995, the Virginia Horse Industry Board has re-invested more than three-quarters of a million dollars back into the Commonwealth’s equine industry through its grants program.
Virginia Equine Survey: Results Targeted for December
Work on the 2006 Virginia Equine Survey continues and Phase II questionnaires-- requesting more detailed economic & expenditure data from a selected group of respondents-- were recently mailed out.
The response rate to date for this survey is over 60%-- well above the 41% response rate from 2001.
The Virginia Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service(NASS) of USDA, which is conducting this survey and which also conducted the 2001 Virginia Equine Survey, will work on compiling responses and tabulating data through the fall. The release of the results is targeted for December 2007.
The Virginia Horse Industry Board has assisted NASS with the survey by awarding a grant of $48,000 to ensure the thoroughness of the 2006 Virginia Equine Survey.
If you have questions about the Virginia Equine Survey, contact Herman Ellison, State Statistician, Virginia Field Office, NASS, or Jason Jones or call 800-772-0670.
Horse Board Makes Memorial Donation to VA Tech
At its June meeting, the members of the Virginia Horse Industry Board voted to make several memorial donations to Virginia Tech.
A donation of $5,000 was made to the Middleburg Agricultural and Research Extension (MARE) Center in honor of Dr. David Kronfeld. Dr. Kronfeld served as director of the Center for many years and worked on numerous research projects that benefited equine health. Many projects he worked on, including studying laminitis in Virginia ponies, were partially funded by the VHIB. The Board wanted in some small way to recognize his immeasurable contributions to advance the Virginia horse industry.
Following the tragedy of April 16th, the members of the Virginia Horse Industry Board unanimously voted to make a contribution to the memorial funds that have been set up at VA Tech. The Board is making a $500 contribution to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund and contributing $2,000 to the Emily Hilscher Memorial Fund. Ms. Hilscher was a freshman and a member of the Virginia Tech Equestrian Team.
Virginia Horse Board Displays at Colonial Downs & Welcome Centers
The Virginia Horse Industry Board has had additional copies of its "Virginia...Welcome to Horse Country" displays reproduced and made them available to Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent. Three of the displays are now at the racetrack and were posted before the beginning of the Thoroughbred meet. The displays will remain up through the harness meet this fall.
Copies of the displays have also been reproduced in poster size and are being made available to the 13 Virginia Tourism Corporation's "Welcome Centers" throughout the state. These will remain up throughout 2007.
2008 VHIB Calendar
January 17-20:
12th Annual Maryland
Horse World Expo
State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD.
.
February 21-24:
6th Annual Pennsylvania
HorseWorld Expo,
Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA.
Look for the Virginia Horse Board booth
at both of these events. If you would like to have your equine association or club's informational materials available at the booth for these and other events throughout 2008, please forward the items to the VHIB Office by January 10, 2008.
March 3:
Grants deadline is 12 pm(noon) for proposals to be considered for fiscal year 2008-2009. For specifics on how to submit your proposal, see the Grant Guidelines section of this website.
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