In 1988 the Idaho Horse Council commissioned the University of Idaho to conduct and publish a horse census and economic impact statement.   The I.H.C. has made a commitment to update the equine census every five years.

2005-2006 Survey

Equine-owners in Idaho show an estimated total more than $1.6 billion in assets related to their horses and other equine. Expenditures associated with equine owners totaled $183 million dollars in Idaho in 2005, including $55 million dollars to the agricultural industry for hay, straw and grain, $19 million dollars to the veterinary industry, $13.6 million dollars for farrier expenses and $13.5 million dollars for training. 

Did you know?...

• In 2005 there were over 206,000 equine in Idaho. 
• In the year 2005 the Northern region had 21% of all equine, Southwestern region 28%, South-central region 23%,  and the Southeastern region had 28%. 
• Primary use of equine in Idaho: 40% Pleasure, 13% Breeding, 12% Farm and Ranch, 11% Packing.
• Proportion of Horses by Breed:  53.3% American Quarterhorses, 13.9 % Paints, 6.3% Arabian, 5.2% Appaloosa, 4.2% Thoroughbred
• Percentage of Different Types of Equine in Idaho: 81% Riding Horses, 5% Ponies, 3% Race Horses, 3 % Mules 2% Donkeys,1% Wild Horses, 1% Draft Horses
• The world's first cloned equine, the mule Idaho Gem, was born at the University of Idaho in 2003.
• The Appaloosa horse, which is named after the Palouse River in northern Idaho, is the state horse of Idaho.