The equine industry is a vibrant, growing component of rural Ontario, with a surprisingly significant impact on the economy -- the estimated total of annual expenditures on horses in Ontario is $2.6 billion
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Despite a slow economy, the financial impact of horses in the province, both direct and indirect remains a big business, that many consider recession-proof. In fact, there is an estimated $735 million annual investment in horse farm infrastructure such as new barns, fencing and indoor arenas across Ontario. This investment translates into jobs in local communities.
There has been limited investigation of this sector by either provincial or municipal government agencies. With the first such research conducted since 1996, Dr. Bronwynne Wilton, and University of Guelph researcher, has addressed the lack of attention paid to the equine community in the field of rural studies.
The Ontario horse population is estimated to be 379, 412 as of the 2006 Census of Agriculture, with a detailed breakdown of numbers is available on the Statistics Canada website. It is interesting to note that horses are listed under the category 'Other livestock and Bees'
While both harness racing and thoroughbred racing are important components of the Ontario equine industry, a significant portion of the growth in the industry can be attributed to the sport and recreation sector. With a high level of diversity and participation across the disciplines such as dressage, hunter-jumper, eventing, western pleasure riding, rodeo events, trail-riding, endurance riding, driving, and recreational riding as just a few of the equine disciplines enjoyed by residents of Ontario. This report developed out of a research project supported by the Sustainable Rural Communities research fund as part of the OMAFRA/University of Guelph research agreement. The original purpose of the research project was to explore the social and economic impacts of the equine industry in the rural areas of Ontario.
A recommendation resulting from the research is the long term goal to nurture the equine/equestrian industry as an important economic cluster, recognizing tourism, construction, rural services and many others are impacted by continued growth of the industry. "We are looking at a multi-million-dollar horse power engine" Wilton reports on the results of the survey. "The equestrian industry provides social, cultural and economic benefits to the people of Ontario. Just look around - for every horse in every backyard, there is the commitment of purchasing supplies, maintaining open space and covering operational costs."
(Equine Guelph)
Congratulations to everyone!
Congratulations to everyone! Because of the "business" of Standardbred racing, there are many benefits afforded to the general equestrian community as a whole. The dollars Ontario's Standardbred participants invest make much of the research and development financially possible. (One such example...OHHA's SRA committee, on behalf of all Ontario Standardbred horse people, has committed in excess of $700,000 to Equine Guelph since 2003).
Our motivation to develop sounder and fitter horses and methods to manage and prevent lameness, improve fertility and conception rates, treat illness and other challenges benefit Ontario's entire equestrian community. The work being done at Equine Guelph is truly world class and without the demand and support of Ontario's racing industry the resources required to accomplish these tasks would be challenged. We should give ourselves a collective pat on the back for keeping Rural Ontario's economy moving...we deserve it!