Released July 22, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan equine enthusiasts, business owners and local and state decision makers seeking information on horse-related topics will soon have a new online resource. Whether it’s downloading information about local horse clubs or boarding facilities or referring to the economics associated with horses in a specific Michigan county, the http://www.HorsesCountinMichigan.com website will offer viewers a variety of resources.

The site will provide findings collected from the 2007 Michigan Equine Survey, the first comprehensive study of the state’s horse, donkey and mule populations conducted in more than a decade. The site will also serve as an all-inclusive hub for equine resource materials and direct viewers to additional Web links for equine organizations and associations.

Data collected from the 2007 Michigan Equine Survey indicate that the state’s equine population climbed nearly 20 percent since 1996, increasing from 133,000 animals to 155,000. The greatest number of equines is located in Oakland, Washtenaw and Livingston counties, respectively, and 440,000 acres of land is devoted to equine operations across the state. The total value of assets, including barns, equipment and supplies, is nearly $8 billion.

Currently, researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) are analyzing the survey data to generate reports enumerating the many economic benefits the equine industry contributes to the state’s economy. Once completed, these reports will be made available for people to download from the Web site.

In the meantime, Michigan horse enthusiasts are invited to submit photos of themselves with their equine friends to be featured on the new Web site. Photos should include the horse owner, family member or friend along with one or more horses, mules or donkeys. Subjects can range from human and equine teams in competition to relaxing at feeding time, hanging out around the farm or having fun on the trail.

Nomination forms and instructions for submitting photos are available at http://www.HorsesCountinMichigan.com. Nominations can also be sent directly to Karen Waite, MSU Extension equine youth specialist, at kwaite@msu.edu. Along with the electronic photo file, be sure to include your name, address, telephone number and a couple of sentences explaining why you enjoy your horse. Pictures will be posted on the Web site.

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http://anrcom.msu.edu/press/070108/072208_michiganequine.htm

Contact: Sara Long, 517-432-1555, ext. 170