MSU
The impact the equine industry has on Michigan's economy and changing patterns of urban sprawl will be examined in the state's first horse study in 10 years conducted by researchers at MSU.
The Animal Industry Initiative a statewide program that works with MSU to perform research and education in animal agriculture and various groups involved in the equine industry will work together to survey horse owners in Michigan.
Their goals are to find out how many horses are in the state, what breeds they are, the contribution they make to the state's economy and their effect on suburban sprawl, MSU epidemiologist Mary Rossano said.
The survey will be mailed this spring to more than 4,000 people involved in the industry.
"The economic data is the most important so that we have a sense of what kind of dollars are utilized, what kinds of feeds are being used, how land is being used, medicines, trailer sales and so forth," said Val Vail-Shirey, executive director of the Michigan Equine Partnership.