*Updated to add 2018 economic impact information for context and a quote from WEC.

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Whoa, Nelly! Numbers from a new economic impact study show just how much the equine industry contributes to Marion County’s economy.

The report says the equine industry fuels $4.3 billion in total economic impact in Marion County annually. That’s up from a yearly economic impact of $2.7 billion in 2018 which is the last time the study was conducted. Let that number sink in. $4.7 billion.

That’s a lot of sales of horses, tack, hay/feed, vet bills, farrier services, a growing horse-related hospitality and tourism industry and more.

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA) which funded the study says that’s an estimated 22% of the county’s gross domestic product. That’s up from a 20% GDP in 2018.

The FTBOA released results of the American Horse Council Foundation’s (AHC) 2023 Equine Economic Impact Study for the Marion County/Ocala Metro on Thursday, Feb. 22.

FTBOA: Equine economic impact up $1.6 billion in Marion County since 2018

“Marion County maintains its trademarked title as the Horse Capital of the World® with 75,000 horses and ponies, more than any other single county or parish in the United States,” said FTBOA in a news release. “Thoroughbreds lead the charge at nearly one-half of the county headcount.”

Breaking Down the Numbers
The report indicates one-fifth of Marion County employment is tied to the equine industry with approximately 28,500 people working in equine-related fields. And of those, a majority (56%) of the equine workforce is related to Thoroughbreds.

Headlines at a glance:

  • $4.3 Billion total economic impact (up from $2.7 billion in 2018)
  • 22% of County GDP (up from 20% in 2018)
  • 75,000 horses – largest single-county equine population in U.S.
  • 34,000 Thoroughbreds
  • 28,500 total employment (1 in 5 Marion Co. jobs)
  • 56% of equine jobs are Thoroughbred-related
  • 210,000 acres, and growing (20% of Marion Co. total landmass)

The study states Marion County’s horse farms, rolling pastures, arenas and more total 210,000 acres used for horse-related purposes. That’s more than 20% of the total county landmass, according to the report.

“Marion County has clearly maintained its rightful position as Horse Capital of the World® by population, participation and economic value,” Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association’s CEO Lonny Powell said.

The report also rolls in the financial impact from the Ocala Breeder’s Sales (OBS), the worldwide auction leader for juvenile Thoroughbred racing prospects. It says OBS generates more than $180 million total sales annually, 75% of the national 2-year-old in training marketplace.

The report noted Marion County is one of the world’s leading centers for horse breeding and horse activity with Thoroughbreds dominating both categories.

The report says the opening of the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in 2021 has been spurring increased equine activity, saying WEC has attracted growing numbers of horse enthusiasts and owners from out of state and internationally.

“At World Equestrian Center, we’re proud to be playing a part in supporting the equestrian legacy in Ocala/Marion County. From driving interest in equestrian sport to bringing out more visitors to explore our community, sharing the equestrian lifestyle is what we’re all about,” said Justin Garner, Senior Director of Hospitality Operations at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. “Equestrians have put Ocala on the map as a burgeoning destination for travel and tourism, which benefits local restaurants and businesses across the board. It’s an exciting time to be here in America’s horse capital.”

The report also emphasized high-profile and well-attended equine competitions like the hunter-jumper season at Horse Shows in the Sun, Live Oak International combined driving and show jumping, the North American Reining Stakes, CONFEPASO Youth Equitation Mundial, WEC’s Winter Spectacular horse shows and the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup jumping series, among others.

The study noted Marion County as a growing polo center that did not exist when the last study was published in 2018.

The FTBOA says the study was conducted by The Innovation Group, a third-party economics firm based in Louisiana, and used U.S. Census data, AHC surveys, and other sources of information to compile the report.

Courtesy: FTBOA