Discover the Economic Impact of Horse Industry
Trail Rider and equestrian contributions to the economy are significant. Our equines require an initial purchase, but that cost is succeeded many times over by their upkeep costs. Equines require farms, trucks, tractors, barns, tack, veterinarians, farriers, body work, tack, feed, hay and much more. Read here for more information about the equestrian lifestyle.
Michigan equestrian trail volunteer investment in 2025
$1,515,354.13
$1350/mile
Michigan Horse Trails Association compiles all the volunteer efforts for the horse trail organizations in Michigan every year. We have created a spreadsheet which makes it easy to convert your hours and equipment used into volunteer hourly donations. If you would like to participate and need the file or help in getting started using it, please email MHTA. Thank you to the organizations who submit their hours every year and who do all the work, we appreciate you!
According to a 2023 study by the American Horse Council, the horse industry added $177 BILLION to the Economy
Recreational Riding in the U.S. has a total impact of $36.7 billion,
2023, American Horse Council
supports 466,969 total jobs, and adds $14.5 billion in direct value to the economy.
BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Economic Analysis data READ MORE
BRIDGE MICHIGAN
Outdoor pursuits generate $10 billion in Michigan READ MORE
2017 ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY MICHIGAN HORSE COUNCIL
2023 OUTDOOR RECREATION SATELLITE ACCOUNT
Equestrians contributed 142 million to the Outdoor Recreation in Michigan in 2023
