What is the economic impact of the equine industry in Southeastern PA?
UPDATE: The Chester-Delaware County Farm Bureau’s Study, completed in 2017, can be viewed online.
The Chester-Delaware County Farm Bureau has commissioned a study of the contribution of the equine industry to the economy of Southeastern Pennsylvania. The purpose of this study is to provide an objective estimate of the economic importance of equine and to update the census of equine in the region.
You can participate by completing the online survey. Please do not identify yourself or your operation other than by location. All data will be held in strict confidence and will not be released except in aggregate form. No individual equine business will be identified nor will expenditure data for any individual operation be released to any individual or company.
The results of this project will be used to inform and educate officials and legislators at the local and state levels, industry stakeholders, and the broad community about the importance of equine to the region. The economic impact on the local economy will be driven by data on expenditures by type for the major segments of the industry. The last study of this type was conducted in 2003 and examined the equine industry on a statewide basis. Our intent is to update the analysis and focus on the Southeastern Pennsylvania region.
This study is being conducted by the Agribusiness and Equine Science and Management Departments of Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, Bucks County. As par of its academic curriculum DelVal has a substantial equestrian and Standardbred breeding program.
A 2002 survey indicated there were 215,693 horses in PA, and the direct and secondary contribution of the state’s equine industry was estimated at more than $1.12 billion.