New Survey Counts Kentucky Horses

So just how many horses live in the state that proclaims itself as the world's equine capital?

A new study will provide Kentucky's first horse head count in 35 years. The Kentucky Equine Survey will reach full stride soon when 15,000 surveys are sent to horse owners across the Bluegrass state.

Organizers hope to get an inventory by breed and use. The study will also delve into the horse industry's economic impact.

University of Kentucky professor Jill Stowe says the results will be useful for policymakers and business operators.

She says a Shelby County veterinarian wanting to expand called asking how many horses are in the county. Stowe says she couldn't answer the question, but the survey should provide one.

The last count in 1977 estimated the state had 204,000 horses.