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EQUINE | |
The 1996 North Carolina Equine Survey accounted for 132,000 head of equine in the state. Equine were found on 26,300 places with an average of five horses per operation. Land associated with equine operations, totaled 446,000 acres, and averaged 17 acres per operation. The survey identified 33,000 equine owners in North Carolina, 6,700 which do not stable horses on their own property. Owners reported an average of 4 horses per owner. ![]() The North Carolina Horse Industry is recognized among national breed associations and agribusiness as a rapidly growing industry. The most recent census conducted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture reported in 1997 that 132,000 horses provided an average annual value to the North Carolina economy of $704 million. Reports have been released by the North Carolina Horse Council and agribusiness indicates an equine population in excess of 225,000 with 65,000 owners. The growing North Carolina horse industry continues to create a demand for educational information, producer training opportunities, and undergraduates competent in equine management. The NCSU Horse Short Course and Clinic Series continues to provide the most recent technology and subject matters to producers, FFA instructors, and undergraduate students, who have previously received introductory level training. An average of 13 courses and clinics are offered annually at state level events. Course and clinic topics include training, breeding, semen evaluation, feeding and pasture management, facility design, health management, conditioning, foaling management, fencing, waste management, evaluation, genetics, hoof care, shoeing, selection, legal aspects, insurance and general farm management. Participants include horse owners, undergraduate students, county extension agents, REINS volunteers and equine professionals. REINS (Regional Equine Information Network System) was implemented in 1995 as a volunteer program of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. The primary purpose of this program is to assist extension personnel in the delivery of research-based education to horse owners. Since inception of the REINS program through June of 2002, certified REINS volunteers provided an estimated 21,455 hours of volunteer service valued at $321, 825 with over 38, 456 owners receiving direct contact through producer meeting, clinics/tours and farm visits. A nationally respected and highly diversified 4-H Horse Program provides horse owning and non-horse owning youth with training in basic horse science and horsemanship. The 4-H Horse Program continues to enjoy a strong industry support while developing today's youth into the horse producer of the future. A variety of 20 different educational projects and events are offered to 4-H members throughout the year. Activities include horse bowl, three writing events, judging public speaking, demonstration and hippology contests, stable management events, county, district and state horse shows, horsemanship camps, retreats and clinics, trail rides, cumulative record competition and five artistic expression events. Participation in the North Carolina 4-H Program has mirrored industry growth. Since 1997, total project numbers have increased by 9% from 15, 365 projects to 16, 718 projects. |
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