The More You Know. A Horse Survey: Read on to learn about horse owners and care in the USA

Heart of Phoenix is always interested in learning more about the equine industry, how horse people think and how we can make the lives of horses better while increasing the number of horses in good homes.

This particular survey ran for over a month and was shared across social media. Almost 800 people responded nationally.

By far, most people responding own 1-3 horses

Most people consider themselves intermediate to upper level intermediate riders, with very few considering themselves beginners. Interestingly enough, the bulk of the applications Heart of Phoenix receives, by far, screen as beginners.

Most people reported they have taken lessons, and many feel they continue to need to do so

More people attend clinics than do not

Education matters, as even those who do not attend clinics try to continue to learn by viewing training videos

The vast majority of responders believe in life long education on horsemanship

Forage is important, given the feed response, and fairly small number of responders report they sweet store brand mixes.

Few people offer loose minerals, opting for block style supplementing for minerals and salt.

Alternatively, Heart of Phoenix has long worked to advocate for loose mineral access.

A little under half of responders do not believe a mare will carry a healthy weight if given enough nutrition if she is nursing a foal.

The AAEP says, “Peak lactation generally occurs during the second and third month of a foal’s life. At this time a mare will need almost double the amount of feed she required during her early pregnancy,” so at Heart of Phoenix, we would encourage those with that belief to further research brood mare nutrition.

Far fewer responding felt seniors will be underweight due to age only.

For continued reading on seniors and weight, visit here

Most people do not have a gender preference, but when they do, it tends to be toward geldings.

Most folks have no real color preference, but those that do are a bit all over the place in regards to what they prefer best. We found it odd that grey horses ranked least popular, as we have found they get a lot of initial interest when posted for adoption.

Some good news is that people are flexible aesthetically, and they will not usually pass over a horse that is suitable in terms of behavior but is too short, tall, etc

While it isn’t surprising, it is always hard for us to learn there is still a large stigma toward Arabians, Saddlebreds and Thoroughbreds. We are not sure why Miniatures ended up on the list, but that was interesting, as well. They are difficult for the rescue to place.

Most people are looking for a horse from $1,000 to the lower-mid 4 figure range. Few are looking to spend over $10,000, and just a few more expect a horse for under $500.

More people are willing to pay $500 to take part in a horsemanship clinic than are not.

Most people keep their horses on their owner property / do not pay board, but of those that do, most pay between $250 and $400 per month.

Tennessee Walking horses topped the list as the breed industry with the most abuse. Thoroughbreds, Saddlebreds and Quarter Horses were next, in that order.

Illegal Drugs for Performance, Isolation, Caustic Substances applied, Overuse /Improper use of Aids, Certain bits, overworking without condition, starting horses before age 2 and carrying too much weight all received similar responses in terms of responders selecting what they feel can be abuse.

Of those who answered, the two areas of most concern regarding equine abuse are Caustic substances applies to horses and no turn out / isolation. Starting horses under age 2 and illegal drugs for performance were shortly behind.

We are glad to see the vast majority of responders would consider adoption!

Almost everyone responding believes people create dangerous horses with lack of skill

In that same token, almost everyone believes that horses are greatly impacts by many factors in regards to how they respond and behave.

Most folks who own a horse now have no plans to rehome that horse in the future.

The reasons for rehoming / selling horses are job loss or income change, and it is shortly followed by a horse being too advanced. This is fairly good news, as it means the more education and training owners get, the most they are apt to seek training for their horse and themselves instead of rehoming.