YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Horses are part of Texas’ heritage

By Gary Joiner
Publisher

National Horse Day on Dec. 13 offers us a chance to celebrate everything equine.

It’s a day to remember the economic, historic and cultural contributions that horses have made.

The heritage of Texas horses reaches back generations. The animals are woven into our state’s culture and agricultural economy.

Texas leads the nation in the number of horses. And it’s not by a nose. There are an estimated 780,000 horses across the state. Far more than California, Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky.

The Texas horse sector represents an estimated output of over $5 billion to the state’s economy. The equine industry supports 52,000 permanent jobs.

Horses are a big part of many Texas farms and ranches. They help get the job done.

Horses are also enjoyed for recreation, racing, showing and rodeo. In fact, recreational riding/ownership generates more revenue than all other pursuits.

Horses are Texas. And we celebrate their contributions.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

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