User:White Arabian Filly/Horse industry in Alabama

The horse industry in Alabama generates nearly 2.08 billion dollars in annual revenue for the state. Alabama is one of 12 American states to have a breed of horse as an official state symbol; the Alabama state horse is the Racking Horse, a gaited breed developed mainly in the state.

History and importance

Two farmers plowing near Talladega, Alabama, during the 1930s.

The Alabama Horse Council was founded in 1985.

The horse industry forms a significant source of revenue for Alabama. In 2006, a study conducted by Auburn University estimated that horses brought nearly 2.4 billion dollars to the state economy. There were 187,000 horses in the state at the time, with the top three breeds in popularity being the Quarter Horse, Racking Horse and Tennessee Walking Horse, in that order. 90% of Alabama horses were used for recreation such as trail riding, and 9.9% were used for breeding, lesson programs, and local or small horse shows. The remaining .01% were used for national-level shows or other competitions. One out of every 20 Alabamians was involved with horses in some way.

Auburn conducted another study in 2016 to see how the Alabama horse industry was recovering from the Great Recession. The updated study revealed that the industry produced 2.08 billion dollars in revenue and employed 24,000 people. The number of horses and ponies in the state was estimated at 154,000, with the most popular breed being the Quarter Horse. The second most popular breed was the Tennessee Walking Horse.

Racking Horse

The Racking Horse, a gaited breed descended in part from the Tennessee Walking Horse, was developed largely in Alabama. The registry, the Racking Horse Breeders' Association of America (RHBAA), was formed in 1971 and headquartered in Decatur. It was declared the official state horse in 1975. The two largest Racking Horse shows, the Spring Celebration in April and the World Celebration in September, are held at the Celebration Arena in Priceville, Morgan County.

Notable farms and stables

• Bentley Beam Stables, Arab, which trained and owned the 1975 World Grand Champion Racking Horse, Bentley's Ace. Bentley's Ace later stood at stud there and was the first Racking Horse stallion to be syndicated.
• Bud Dunn and Son Stables, Florence, run by Bud Dunn and his son Steve, later by Steve alone. Bud Dunn won two Tennessee Walking Horse World Grand Championships, in 1992 and 1999, and 20 World Championships. Steve also won two World Grand Championships, in 1989 and 2002.
• Cedar Tree Farms, which stood multiple notable Tennessee Walking Horses at stud, including World Champion JFK.
• Ferguson Farms, Union Grove, which owned the 2008 Reserve World Grand Champion Walking Horse, Jose's Intimidator.
• King Gus Stables, Arab, which bred the 2007 World Grand Champion Master of Jazz.
• Lawrence Stables, Vinemont, which trained three Racking Horses who won four World Grand Championships.
• Nance Stables,

Horse shows, rodeos and associations

Alabama hosts many horse shows and rodeos throughout the year. Two of the largest shows are for the state symbol, the Racking Horse, and are both held at the Celebration Arena in Priceville. The Spring Celebration begins the show season in late April and the World Celebration completes it each September. There are many smaller Racking Horse and Tennessee Walking Horse shows held throughout the year in Alabama. Among them are the Alabama Classic, held in Baileyton. Many of the Walking and Racking Horse shows are sanctioned by the Alabama Show Horse Association. The International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association is headquartered in Birmingham. The Andalusian is an ancient Spanish breed and the Lusitano a related Portuguese breed.

Horse racing

Though there is a stakes race called the Alabama Stakes, it has never been held in the actual state of Alabama.

Colleges

The University of Alabama has an equestrian program.

The University of Auburn has both an equestrian program and a veterinary program.