STATISTICS ON HORSES AND
HORSE RELATED TOPICS
The Alaska Horse Journal started publishing these facts and figures in 1998 as a reference for people that were asking for funding or support for horse related activities, trails or facilities.  

A HORSE COUNT?

In 1996 The U.S. Equestrian Marketing Association estimated Alaska's total horse population at 16,935.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated 2,400 horses in Alaska. Many wonder why there is such a huge difference in numbers. The major factor is that the U.S. Department of Agriculture only counted horses that were on farms.

There are over 150 different breed registries and associations, we have only contacted a few of them. These numbers are just to give you food for thought. Grade horses, if counted, would outnumber registered horses by far.

REGISTERED HORSES IN ALASKA
(Grade horses, if counted, would outnumber registered horses by far.)

Association, Address -  2002 count (2001 count)

Arabian Horse Registry of America  439 (501)
12000 Zuni St., Westminster, CO 80234-2300

International Arabian Horse Assoc.   240 (229)
 

(Half Arab and Anglo-Arabian Registries) 6 Anglo
10805 E. Bethany Dr., Aurora, CO 80014-2605

Icelandic Horses (furnished by registry)   39
(Furnished by a count from the local association) 110

Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Assoc., Inc.   5 (0)
(this number represents the number of members in Alaska)
P.O. Box 1027, Ava, MO 65608-1027

American Morgan Horse Assoc., Inc.   383 (375)
P.O. Box 960, Shelburne, VT 05482-0960

National Show Horse Registry   15 (16)
11700b Commonwealth Dr. #200, Louisville, KY

Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry   32 (32)
8539 13 Mile Rd., Marshall, MI 49068

International Sporthorse Registry & Oldenburg Registry North America   1
939 Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 60654

American Paint Horse Assoc.   306 (277)
P.O. Box 961023, Ft. Worth, TX 76161-0023

Peruvian Paso Horse Registry of North America   7 (7)
3077 Wiljan Court, Suite A, Santa Rosa, CA 95407

Pinto Horse Assoc. of America, Inc.   62 (58)
1900 Samuels Ave., Ft. Worth, TX 76102-1141

Pony of the Americas Club, Inc.   * (33)
5240 Elmwood Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46203-5990

American Trakehner Assoc.   11 (12)
1520 W, Church St., Newark, OH 43055

Please note: These numbers are provided by these associations based on their records and/or memberships that show Alaska addresses. Some horses may be owned by an Alaskan resident and be boarded elsewhere, and horses that have moved to Alaska or born in Alaska may not be registered yet.

HAY, GRAIN & HORSE SHOWS

• Alaska hay farmers harvested 22,000 acres in 2002 with a production of 26,000 tons. Last year, 23,000 acres produced 30,000 tons. Grass hay was harvested from 21,100 acres and grain hay, mostly oat hay, accounted for the remaining 900 acres. The all hay yield at 1.18 tons per acre was down from 1.30 tons last year. Weather conditions hampered the second cutting of hay across much of the state. Barley producers seeded 4,000 acres in 2002, compared with 5,800 acres in 2001. The value of hay for 1999 was $4,524,000 down slightly from $4,640,000.in 1998 according to the United States Dept. of Agriculture. Hay farmers harvested 20,300 acres in 1999 with a production of 23,200 tons. Grass hay made up 19,300 acres and grain hay, mostly oat hay, accounted for the remaining 1,000 acres, unchanged from 1998. The all hay yield of 1,14 tons per acre.

• According to the USAEq. Assoc. (formerly the American Horse Show Assoc.) in 2001, the total number of registered horses in 11 shows was 680.  During 1999 there were 627 horses that competed in 11 American Horse Show Assoc. (ASHA) recognized competitions. In 1998, the same number of competitions (11), had 618 horses shown and 690 competed in 1997.

• In 2001, the American Quarter Horse Assoc. in Alaska had 15 shows with a total of 199 entries. There was an average of 165 entries at 18 shows in 1999 compared with 235 entries at 13 shows in 1998. In 1997, 12 AQHA shows averaged 198 entries per show and the 11 AQHA shows in 1996 averaged 236 entries.

• In 1997, the Alaska Paint Horse Club hosted two playdays aptly named the "Paint Your Horse Show" with an average of 167 entries.

• The American Paint Horse Association 2001 Show of Shows had a total of 135 entries of which 20 were in APHA recognized classes. The first APHA recognized show was held in Alaska by the Alaska Paint Horse Club during 1998. The total entries for both APHA and all-breed classes totaled 109 between 21 classes. The entries increased to 111 in 1999 with 38 classes being held.

• Southcentral Horsemen holds  playdays at Peters Creek Horse Park. In 1998 the playdays averaged 168.5 entries.