<b>By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN<br>
Michigan Correspondent</b> </p><p>

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The number of horses in Michigan has increased more than 16 percent during the last 10 years, according to results recently released from a new statewide survey.<br>
The Michigan Equine Survey – the first comprehensive study of the state’s horses, donkeys and mules and their uses – was conducted by investigators from Michigan State University, the Michigan Horse Council and the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Aimed at describing the equine population by breed and use, it was designed to explore how and where individual horses are kept, land use issues such as zoning and manure management and the number of individuals employed by Michigan ’s equine industry.
Industry experts said they expect the survey results to be used by local planning and zoning officials, state government representatives, veterinarians and other equine health monitors.<br> They also will be beneficial to those who are planning new equine facilities, public and private trails or equine-related business ventures.<br>
“Whether you have one horse in the backyard or horses are your livelihood, the numbers from the survey and the industry as a whole can affect you in everything from horse health issues to taxation issues,” said Valerie Vail-Shirey, executive director of the Michigan Equine Partnership, which works on policy issues to benefit the equine industry.<br>
“The survey numbers, as they develop over time, show the size of the equine industry and the impact it has on Michigan.”<br>
The survey shows Michigan is home to about 155,000 horses, donkeys, mules and miniatures; that’s up from 133,000 in 1996. The greatest concentration of equines is in Oakland, Washtenaw and Livingston counties, respectively. The four most numerous breeds, in order, include the American Quarter Horse, American Paint, Arabian and Standardbred. They accounted for more than half of the state’s total inventory.<br>
“The results of this survey will be important to Michigan State University faculty members who conduct educational programs, research and extension efforts for horse owners and industry professionals,” said Karen Plaut, chairwoman of the MSU Department of Animal Science.<br>
“It will strongly influence our long-range planning for programs and activities designed to meet the needs of everyone from large horse farm owners and show competitors at the national level, to kids in 4-H horse clubs.”<br>
Michigan Horse Council industry liaison and survey co-investigator Mary Rossano said the survey is the “most comprehensive study” of its kind that has been completed in the state.<br>
“We included questions about how horses are used, how manure is managed and how horses are used on public land,” she said. “Now we have three studies in a row, all samples by the same protocol, from which we can make valid comparisons.”<br>
According to a summary from the Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 35,000 equine operations in the state in 2007, up from 28,700 in 1991. Almost two-thirds of the inventory was located on places with fewer than 10 equine. About 440,000 acres are devoted to equine operations.<br>
About 63 percent of the equine operations were on land zoned agricultural, occupying about 345,000 acres. The remainder were in areas zoned residential or otherwise, totaling about 60,000 and 35,000 acres, respectively. Total assets, including barns, equipment and supplies, is nearly $8 billion.<br>
Most equine are located on small or medium-sized operations, and in significant numbers in all of Michigan’s 83 counties. About 60 percent of people who keep horses do so for recreation, the survey shows.<br>
Most labor was performed on an unpaid basis by 79,000 operators, partners and family members. In addition, equine operators reported spending about $25 million on 4,300 hired workers in 2006.<br>
That doesn’t include, however, others supported by the equine industry such as veterinarians, farriers, tack store operators, trainers and others.<br>
Excluding wages and salaries to hired workers, operators and owners incurred $805 million in equine-related expenditures in 2006, the survey reports. These include costs for feed, fuel, health care, transportation, equipment, tack, boarding, bedding, breeding, show and race entry fees and taxes.<br>
Preliminary survey results are online at www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by _State/Michigan/Publications/index.asp