Quick answer
There are about 6.6 million horses in the US, down from 7.2 million in 2017, according to the American Horse Council’s latest national study. Yet the horse industry’s economic impact grew to $177 billion.
- The horse industry supports about 2.2 million jobs.
- Texas has the most horses of any state, about 748,829.
- Owning a horse costs roughly $8,600 to $26,000 a year.
- About 25,128 US horses were shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter in 2025.
Horses are the dream animal for a lot of homesteaders, and the numbers show why they are such a big commitment. We gathered the latest figures from the American Horse Council, The Jockey Club, USDA and owner surveys to show how many horses Americans keep, what they cost and where the industry is heading.
Key numbers at a glance
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Horses in the US, 2023 | 6.6 million | American Horse Council |
| Horses in the US, 2017 | 7.2 million | American Horse Council |
| Economic impact, 2023 | $177 billion | American Horse Council |
| Jobs linked to horses | 2.2 million | Texas Farm Bureau |
| State with the most horses | Texas, about 748,829 | Texas Farm Bureau |
| Households with a horse enthusiast | 30.5% | American Horse Council |
| Yearly cost to own a horse | About $8,600 to $26,000 | Synchrony study |
| Projected Thoroughbred foal crop, 2025 | 17,300 | The Jockey Club |
| US horses exported for slaughter, 2025 | 25,128 | AWI using USDA |
How many horses are in the US?
About 6.6 million horses lived in the US in 2023, down from 7.2 million in 2017, according to the American Horse Council’s National Economic Impact Study (EQUUS). The council runs this study only every several years, so it remains the newest national count in 2026.
Horses touch far more homes than the herd size suggests. In the 2017 study, 30.5% of US households, about 38 million, included a horse enthusiast, and about 80 million acres were set aside for horse related use (EquiManagement).
Which state has the most horses?
Texas. A 2023 study counted about 748,829 horses in Texas, the largest horse population of any state, adding $12.3 billion to the Texas economy. About 252,326 of those are recreational horses (Texas Farm Bureau). California and Florida followed Texas in the earlier national study (EquiManagement).
How much is the US horse industry worth?
The horse industry added $177 billion in value to the US economy in 2023, up from $122 billion in 2017 and $102 billion in 2005, and it is linked to about 2.2 million jobs, from farriers and vets to truck drivers and feed makers (EQUUS, Texas Farm Bureau).
Fewer horses but a bigger economic footprint suggests more money is now spent on each horse, from boarding and feed to vet care and competition.
How much does it cost to own a horse?
Owning one horse costs roughly $8,600 to $26,000 a year, or about $700 to $2,200 a month, before showing and other extras, based on the Synchrony Equine Lifetime of Care study of 1,231 US horse owners (Horse Racing Sense). Boarding is the biggest and most variable cost.
| Monthly cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Board | $200 to $1,800 or more |
| Feed and supplements | $100 to $300 |
| Farrier | $50 to $200 |
| Routine vet care | $40 to $125 |
| Insurance and supplies | $25 to $100 |
Land matters too. Texas horse owners own or lease about 1.6 million acres for horses, roughly 2.2 acres per horse (Texas Farm Bureau). If you are planning a homestead, budget space for pasture rotation, not just a stall.
Is horse racing shrinking?
The Thoroughbred breeding side has been shrinking for years. The Jockey Club projected a 2025 North American foal crop of 17,300, about 700 fewer than the 2024 estimate of 18,000. Mares bred fell from 34,121 in 2014 to 25,301 in 2024, and active stallions fell from 1,488 to 771 (Past The Wire).
| Thoroughbred breeding | 2014 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Mares bred | 34,121 | 25,301 |
| Stallions covering mares | 1,488 | 771 |
How many US horses go to slaughter?
No horses are slaughtered for meat inside the US, but about 25,128 US horses were shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter in 2025, up from 20,201 in 2024, according to USDA figures compiled by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). Most went to Mexico, about 21,430.
Rising costs can push owners to sell horses they can no longer afford, which is one reason to plan carefully before buying. Horse rescues and retirement programs offer an alternative for horses that need new homes.
Is a horse right for a small homestead?
Only if you have the land, time and budget. A horse needs daily care, hoof trims every 6 to 8 weeks and room to graze, and it can live for decades. Many small homesteaders start with chickens, goats or a garden first; see our homesteading statistics and pet ownership statistics for how other families are doing it.
How we gathered these numbers
National horse counts and economic impact come from the American Horse Council’s 2023 study, released in 2024 and still the newest national count in 2026, plus its 2017 study for comparison. Texas figures come from the 2023 Texas horse industry study, racing figures from The Jockey Club, export figures from USDA via AWI and costs from the Synchrony owner study.
Keep reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How many horses are in the United States?
About 6.6 million horses lived in the US in 2023, according to the American Horse Council’s National Economic Impact Study, the most recent national count. That is down from 7.2 million in 2017.
Which state has the most horses?
Texas has the most horses of any state, about 748,829 according to a 2023 Texas horse industry study. The industry adds about $12.3 billion to the Texas economy. California and Florida followed Texas in the American Horse Council’s earlier national study.
How much does it cost to own a horse per year?
Roughly $8,600 to $26,000 a year, or about $700 to $2,200 a month, based on the Synchrony Equine Lifetime of Care study of US horse owners. Boarding is the biggest and most variable expense, followed by feed, farrier and vet care.
How much is the horse industry worth?
The US horse industry contributed about $177 billion to the economy in 2023, up from $122 billion in 2017, according to the American Horse Council. It is linked directly and indirectly to about 2.2 million jobs.
Are horses slaughtered in the US?
No horses are slaughtered for meat inside the US, but about 25,128 US horses were exported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter in 2025, according to USDA figures compiled by the Animal Welfare Institute. That was up from 20,201 in 2024.
