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EnglishWhat the 2022 Kentucky Equine Survey Reports About the State's Equine Industry
Updated
The 2022 Kentucky Equine Survey found 209,500 equine in Kentucky and placed the total value of equine and equine-related assets in the state at $27.7 billion, up more than 18% from 2012 — even though the equine population fell almost 14% over the same period. The survey was a collaboration between the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Horse Council, and it counted all Kentucky horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.
Who ran the survey and what it covered
The Kentucky Horse Council and UK worked together on the 2022 survey. Its scope was deliberately broad: rather than counting only horses, it gathered data on every horse, pony, donkey and mule in the state. That makes the headline population figure a count of all equine, not just riding or racing horses.
The two headline numbers
| Measure | 2022 figure | Change from 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Equine population in Kentucky | 209,500 | Down almost 14% |
| Value of equine and equine-related assets | $27.7 billion | Up more than 18% |
The two figures move in opposite directions, and that is the survey's most striking finding. Kentucky has fewer equine than it did in 2012, but the industry's assets are worth substantially more.
Why the divergence matters
A rising asset value alongside a shrinking population points to a shift in what the industry holds and produces rather than how many animals it keeps. The survey itself is presented as evidence of the industry's resilience, and UK frames the results as showing the continued strength of Kentucky's equine sector. For anyone interpreting the numbers, the practical takeaway is that headcount alone understates the industry's economic weight — value per animal and related assets have grown enough to offset the decline in animals.
Where to find the full results
The survey is published through UK Ag Equine Programs, which hosts a dedicated page for it on the program's site (linked as "Explore Survey" from the program homepage). That page is the place to check for the detailed breakdowns behind the 209,500 and $27.7 billion figures, since the homepage summary reports only the top-line results.