Study: Equine industry has $1.9 billion impact in N.C.

North Carolina’s equine industry has a total economic impact of $1.9 billion, according to the first-ever study of the industry.

The horse industry spends $1.4 billion annually, and 90 percent of that money stays in North Carolina, the study found. The industry employs more than 19,000 people and pays $196 million in local, state and federal taxes.

Other highlights of the study:

• There are 306,000 horses in North Carolina.
• More than 53,000 N.C. households own horses.

The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center administered the study with the help of university, government and private consultants. It was funded by the General Assembly.