In the next ten years, do you think the Maine equine industry will: grow, stay about the same, decline or no opinion. Why did you choose this answer?

• Population growth + good economy = more horses

• because as I sit back and watch all the lessons coming in I think was there this many people 10 years form now? and the answer is no so I think that maine can only grow.

• I see lots of children becoming involved with horses again, and older people who are getting back into horses.

• seems like more an more people are getting into horses and "disposable" income is increasing allowing more expensive leisure activities

• Because 10 years ago, Maine's horse industry was not as big as it is now, so as more and more people get interested, it will grow larger and larger.

• The equine business is getting bigger and bigger and a lot more people getting involved with horses. So the equine industry will grow considerable.

• Our farrier business seems to stay at about the same number in this area. I think that the equine business on the whole is growing over the whole state.

• I am hoping it dies not go overboard

• More people moving away from city centers. Often these people are looking for space to indulge equine hobbies.

• Although the population in Maine is on the rise, the cost of horse ownership is also on the rise. I don't feel people will extend themselves financially in the same proportions to the population growth.

• There are so many more horse owners and farms now than there were when I was younger, I think it will continue to grow

• There is only so much land available to house equines.

• there is much more awareness nowadays on horse care and many more resources to learn about it.

• Well I just ride them and watch the people at the barn. Unless I have a horse I really don't have any say!

• As I drive around it seems there are more horses around

• I see new people getting into horses every year. My riding club alone has doubled in size in the last two years. People are keeping their horses on their own land instead of boarding. This is the way it should be. A horse needs love and attention. They get that from their owner.

• Because I have seen the industry has already grown significantly in the last 10 years. I think people are more open minded about their animals and want to learn the cutting edge technology where as 40 years ago there wasn't' the science needed to help people learn.

• More people are getting horses as pets or for breeding so more people will want more information on equine products.

• Because everyone is growing up with horses and the show part of it is also growing.

• Because the horse industry is growing and feel it will continue.

• It seems more & more people are interested in horses & their economic situation allows them to own. Boarding & training will see the largest growth. IMHO

• The horse industry/hobby seems to be a fad type industry. It's not for a few years then cools down.

• Because lots of people like equine horses and they are enjoyable.

• The population is growing & kids are always fascinated by horses but I think the increase in traffic & lack of wide shoulders on roads will inhabit backyard horse keeping and so will balance each other out. Perhaps more people will head towards riding and boarding stables, but it takes money.

• Some will get involved others will no longer be involved.

• People get more interested everyday. People are looking for a family recreation.

• Because I think it will.

• More and more kids are taking an interest in horsemanship.

• We have seen the growth in our area. Membership in WCRDC Club and real Estate purchases in farm land for horses in Waldo County.

• We go to the horse auctions and we've seen the prices increase and the number of people in attendance. Also there is a lot more horses in my area then there was just in two years.

• More people seem to be purchasing horses meaning education on care and tx is very important. The "I love horses" doesn't cut it when you know nothing of what is involved.

• Because the economy is strong and people spend more on recreation when things are good.

• Seems to be the trend in the last 5 years for people to enroll their children in lesson programs and have had many phone calls from people looking to purchase a family horse

• There's not seedling of a new craze or anything...not that I have seen... though I am not "out in the horse community" much... so it's mostly just a guess. I do know that horses are more and more expensive (due to all the indoor arena/show stables popping up) so they're not exactly easily accessible to most people.

• I think the Maine equine industry is only beginning to expand. As property becomes more valuable in other states with greater population density more and more of those equestrians will be looking to states like Maine as an alternative.

• Because more and more people are getting into riding.. trail, team penning, reining etc. More people seem to be enjoying their horses and I think this is a coming thing.

• Because it's a growing thing as people join.

• I have seen steady interest in horses in the last ten years with no slowing evident. I have been in the business for 30 years.

• I work in a tack shop and at a local boarding stable and come across more and more people who are either getting back into horses or are first time horse owners. It seems to me that the number of horses in the state will only continue to grow.

• I see its already growing.

• From what we have seen in our area.

• Pleasure horse industry will increase with population increase.

• yuppies

• feed and everything is getting so expensive, new laws (some very stupid) Insurance going up etc.

• Retirement from farming age. Young people don't want commitment so the two even out.

• Because more and more people are getting into them.

• Because I'm part of it and I see it growing everyday. Only a war or world wide famine will change things in a negative way for the horses of the world. Those in Maine included.

• Everything is growing.

• Many larger stables being built.

• I think as public awareness increases the interest in the sport and the animal will increase also.

• There are more and more people getting horses.

• because this is a boring survey about manure

• the popularity is growing

• I believe the horse industry is on a climb, but I feel the market is flooding with new business and if their management skills are not efficient the market will decline with the horse trends. marketing and management skills need to be more knowledgeable and effective. also the insurance issues must be addressed for the state of maine. we pay out almost half of our income in insurance and facility expenses. There needs to be more state funding for the equine industry like in dairy farming. We are not placed in a farming category like dairy. we are considered a hobby by the state and financial institutions unfortunately.

• Industry is already growing and will continue to. People see the benefits in horse ownership.

• Trends of people-some drop out and new people take their place.

• The economy is strong and so is pleasure Equine

• Because if housing development continues to spread and take over pasture land and acreage shrinks growth will not be possible.

• I have seen growth begin in the last three years and can only see it continue as long as the economy remains somewhat robust in this area of the US. There are more adults taking lessons and more children becoming interested in the sport.

• Unless there is a specific and economical need for horses, versus tractors, in the state of Maine, the Equine industry will only depend on people's ability to afford the luxury of owning a horse for recreation. Refer to written answer to question #5.

• The equine industry as a whole is growing and from the size of shows, meetings, clinics, and overall interest
• shows that the Maine equine community is growing therefore will impact the industry.

• Horses and horseback riding have been gaining popularity for quite some time. The youth classes at the horse shows that we attend have more than doubled in numbers from last year to this year. I believe this is a good indication that the number of horses will continue to grow within the state.

• Decline in farming in general. Maine is far removed from the bulk of the big events. Maine horsemen lack the financial resources of their peers from around the country.

• No support from Orono. Other N.E. states have Equine specialist to support 4-H programs. No representation from Orono comes to any 4-H Equine programs sponsored (in part) by state level.

• No support from Orono. Other N.E. states have Equine specialist to support 4-H programs. No representation from Orono comes to any 4-H Equine programs sponsored (in part) by state level.

• Because at our local horse shows there are new people and horses each event.

• Because this is an up and coming industry to which Maine should pay attention.

• There is an upward swing but what is happening is people are in discriminantly breeding and selling. Many 1st time people will become discouraged and it will level out.

• The older population will want a quite outdoor activity but due to health hiking out. Riding or driving horses give quiet outdoor time.

• Because it takes a certain kind of individual to keep and care for equine. I can't see any drastic fluctuation.

• Equine activities are becoming increasing popular. In Washington County, horse ownership has obviously grown in the last 10 years.

• Because of the steady increase in Cumberland county of a need for boarding facilities. But on the other hand some other areas may decline do to land and trails being developed

• I see increased media coverage of equine concerns - state and nationally.
• I see more attractive boarding facilities being built, charging hefty fees and filling with boarders interested in paying those fees.
• I see a doubling in the charge for riding lessons.

• I needed to answer the question.

• I think the number of horse owners in Maine is growing as is this in education, equine law-business and health issues. I see many more people attending clinics, conferences and planned programs offered by numerous clubs, farms and organizations.

• This one of the fastest growing sports in the equine industry. If the economy stays strong you will see the equine industry grow at a steady rate.

• It's become a renewed sport and hobby.

• It seems to be growing constantly and I feel it will continue to do so.

• I think because a lot of people have equines more as a hobbies and interests then businesses. Which is to bad because I am hoping to have my own business and I am not sure if its going to succeed.

• Trail riding will grow as more people want to vacation in the country. Boarding riding stables will offer city people a way to connect with animal/nature and for exercise.

• Hope it will help in getting more info to help manage my animals and anyone else

• Because three years is not that long.

• I have noticed more and more people getting involved in the horse business.

• There's been a great deal of growth in the past 5-10 years followed by a fair amount of stables going out of business in the past year or so. I think that we've somewhat reached a standing point.

• It has been growing and the financial situation will probably promote some more growth over the next few years.

• We are losing our pasture lands for hay production and pasturing of our horses. Hay has to purchased from either out of state or instate hay contractors therefor making costs go up. Also the gasoline prices today are such that it inhibits traveling to horses shows, trail rides, or other horse related activities. Hay and feed prices are increasing also as a result of the gas price increases. I pay usually $2.50 delivered a bale for hay but this year it went up to $2.75 delivered plus a surcharge of $.10 per bale for fuel.

• Because there is more and more people getting into the world of horses, especially minis.

• It is hard to say because the industry will grow if people get in the most popular events. Say if the demand is for hunter/jumpers and Maine does not have many doing that it will go down

• Because of dairy farms because horse lots there are more backyard horses looking is easy and makes owning a horse more accessible.

• I'm too new to the subject.

• 1. number of indoor arenas built. 2. number of new pony clubbers in our group. 3. as hobbies go horses are less expensive than many interests. snowmobile 8,000.00 sking 50.00 a day.

• grow especially if video gambling allowed at racetrack. decline when joe ricci dies and sells scas. downs the standardery industry could decline. more dairys going out of business. more recreational interest in horses.

• the industry had grown tremendously in the past 10 years and new options are opening up. I expect it to continue to grow.

• to see more horses coming into the area more and more. in the last 10 years the horse population has tripled.

• seems a healthy past time. Allows folks to get back to nature when they couldn't otherwise.

• Because more and more people are becoming interested in all sorts of fields, from being a vet, to taking riding lessons horse ownership, or just as a hobby.

• Population growth should yield equine growth

• A number of years back the horse population declined for awhile and now there are horses in a lot of back yards.
• They are growing rapidly in numbers which is a good thing if the owners know how to take care of them.
• I noticed today at Borders that are some new horse magazines I have never seen before so, hopefully,
• people will be reading them for nutrition and management.

• Because it has grown since I moved here and there is no reason to think that that will change.

• I have seen a big change in the caliber of horses in Maine in just the three years that I have lived here. People are buying better horses, competing more and starting to compete on a more national level.

• Only if economy continues upward trend.

• Most people I know are into horses because they love it. I don't know many who make a lot of money on it. I do not like the term Industry.

• Growth has only just begun. Everyone wants to own a horse.

• It's growing very fast in our area. With babyboomers we'll have a lot of repeat horse owners & new horse owners among the 40-50 year olds.

• Maine is to poor a state economically to support a growing equine industry. Most Mainers just make ends meet.

• People love horses and more people have the money necessary to keep them.

• Maine is an outdoor state. Horses are an outdoor activity. People can afford to own land (in some towns) which will attract more horse people from states where land is prohibitively expensive.

• personal observation

• I see a lot more in the neighborhood. More horses more tack shops more stables.

• Seems to have grown in the past 5 to 10 years and new activities being introduced into the state E.G. team penning.

• observation of local economic trends

• The Equine Industry along with everything else was great in the 1980's.

• In the next 10 years people are not going
• to be interested in the equine industry, they
• going to be in to cars and other things. No more
• space for large animals. We have a hard time
• finding pastures for our two horses and that's now!

• good economy = many successful horse related businesses

• Over the years I have seen horses are treated as "fads'. People are really involved one moment and the next they don't want anything to do with them. So people may get more involved now, but five or ten years from now, the hot spell will be over and things will be just as they are again.

• because more and more people are buying horses

• Because the cost of caring for a horse is going to only get more expensive. And if someone also has a family, they usually have to put owning a horse on the back burner until the kids are grown.

• I see a lot more people interested in horses as well as a lot more promotion in newspapers, etc.

• I believe the last 10 years have seen an upswing in the Equine Industry and that the indication is that this will continue. I believe the Equine Industry is undervalued in Maine.

• Because there are so many people that want to and are getting involved now. I'm sure it will only get better.

• Hopefully, it will grow, as the crop & beef & milk producing farms seem on the decline.

• Because I've been doing this for 10 yrs now and it is even so much bigger now then it was then.

• Economic factors point to continued growth.

• There is to many stables in the area which miss us. The horse industry for the quick dollar. They really don't care about someone else's animal they care for. So it hurts stables that does. This makes a lot of one time owners of this industry.

• I feel more interest is showing up amongst people. I promote a large sleigh ride that draws more people each year.

• In this area there is a lot of interest.

• I think that it is stagnant because horse people stay isolated in little groups of friends and don't work together and the state does nothing to help. Liability laws hurt horse businesses.

• Due to stock market profits people want to invest in horse farms.

• I don't predict the economy will change significantly

• As the state grows and more time is spent on rec. So the ind. More kids in 4h and more events for people who just like to be around

• more people are starting to really get into the showing

• my husband and I cut and sell hay mostly to horse people. Each year we have an increase in our sales and deliveries and can see how much this industry is growing

• I think interest in riding for pleasure and competition will increase as long as the economy
• continues at it's current level.

• mainly because of population growth

• As the population grows and sprawl continues, people will be looking for outlets to get them close to nature, the outdoors and will have the need for animal contact.

• There seems to be a renewed interest in horses in recent years.

• Since the economy is good, I think that people will have more disposable income to spend on hobbies like horseback-riding. Also, it seem to me that the trend in Maine has been growth in the equine industry.

• Horses are expensive, I feel there is no way to expect the industry to grow much more given the uncertain economic conditions.

• Harness racing in Maine is in a imperiled Industry.

• More people are riding again as a hobby and also exercise.

• Everyone I know keeps adding one more horse.

• Suburbia/urbanization of farmland and woods. This past year and a half fourteen horses have gone up on millay and carry hill. Six are going up now on fields that were traditionally blueberry and summer pasture. Who's building? People with money and all f

• I feel that the equine industry is growing. There are many avenues for horse enthusiasts. Each horse niche (dressage, barrel racing, jumping) provides a potential market.

• seeing a decreased number of horses in horse shows.

• Those of my age groups 40-45 years old are able to provide for horse partly that we have always wanted or equine one for a family member. More of us are choosing to live where we can provide a good home for a horse and enjoy sharing our love. Horses are wonderful creatures.

• Not sure people involved in horses try to recruit but science, mechanics, and computers seem to be taking over fast.

• Don't know enough about situation state wide.

• The love of horses has improved economy.

• Statistics horses are becoming more popular.

• See horse owners in area increasing.

• Statistics horses are becoming more popular.

• See horse owners in area increasing.

• they appears to be a growing interest in horses.

• Hopefully after this survey is completed there will be programs available to the horse owner and public.

• current interest in horses - more horses available and more facilities offering horse programs

• I don't know the answer. I hope very much that the horse activity grows in this area (Houlton) but I realized the growth of the pleasure horse industry is directly related to the local economy and that may not grow.

• they appears to be a growing interest in horses.

• The love of horses has improved economy.