STATISTICS ON HORSES AND HORSE RELATED TOPICS
Registered Horses in Alaska

. 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.  

 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..

. 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.