Horses and Other Equine Production
Description
Establishments in this sector specialize in the breeding, raising, and managing of horses, mules, donkeys, and other equines for agricultural or recreational purposes. Operators range from small family farms focused on breeding stock to larger commercial enterprises dedicated to thoroughbred racing or horse racing tracks. Typical business activities include pasture management, feed storage, veterinary care, and stable maintenance to ensure animal health and welfare. Many operations also involve selective breeding programs to produce specific genetic traits for show horses or work animals. Additionally, some entities provide services related to equine transportation or boarding for local clients while maintaining their own breeding herds. The industry relies heavily on skilled labor for daily animal husbandry tasks and requires significant land resources for grazing and exercise. Scale varies greatly, with some farms producing only a few dozen animals while major facilities can house thousands of equines annually. This production contributes to the broader animal agriculture market by supplying live stock, breeding services, and related agricultural equipment to various sectors including racing, tourism, and professional equestrian events.
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing crops, raising animals, harvesting timber, and harvesting fish and other animals from a farm, ranch, or their natural habitats. The establishments in this sector are often described as farms, ranches, dairies, greenhouses, nurseries, orchards, or hatcheries. A farm may consist of a single tract of land or a number of separate tracts which may be held under different tenures. For example, one tract may be owned by the farm operator and another rented. It may be operated by the operator alone or with the assistance of members of the household or hired employees, or it may be operated by a partnership, corporation, or other type of organization. When a landowner has one or more tenants, renters, croppers, or managers, the land operated by each is considered a farm. The sector distinguishes two basic activities: agricultural production and agricultural support activities. Agricultural production includes establishments performing the complete farm or ranch operation, such as farm owner-operators and tenant farm operators. Agricultural support activities include establishments that perform one or more activities associated with farm operation, such as soil preparation, planting, harvesting, and management, on a contract or fee basis. Excluded from the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector are establishments primarily engaged in agricultural research (e.g., experimental farms) and government establishments primarily engaged in administering programs for regulating and conserving land, mineral, wildlife, and forest use. These establishments are classified in Industry 54171, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences; and Industry 92412, Administration of Conservation Programs, respectively. |
| 112 | Animal Production and Aquaculture 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Animal Production and Aquaculture subsector raise or fatten animals for the sale of animals or animal products and/or raise aquatic plants and animals in controlled or selected aquatic environments for the sale of aquatic plants, animals, or their products. The subsector includes establishments, such as ranches, farms, and feedlots, primarily engaged in keeping, grazing, breeding, or feeding animals. These animals are kept for the products they produce or for eventual sale. The animals are generally raised in various environments, from total confinement or captivity to feeding on an open range pasture. The industries in this subsector are grouped by important factors, such as suitable grazing or pasture land, specialized buildings, type of equipment, and the amount and types of labor required. Establishments are classified in the Animal Production and Aquaculture subsector when animal production (i.e., value of animals for market) accounts for one-half or more of the establishment's total agricultural production. Establishments with one-half or more animal production with no one animal product or family of animal products of an industry accounting for one-half of the establishment's agricultural production are treated as combination animal farming classified in Industry 11299, All Other Animal Production. |
| 1129 | Other Animal Production 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in raising animals and insects (except cattle, hogs and pigs, poultry, sheep and goats, and aquaculture) for sale or product production. These establishments are primarily engaged in raising one of the following: bees, horses and other equines, rabbits and other fur-bearing animals, and so forth, and producing products, such as honey and other bee products. Establishments primarily engaged in raising a combination of animals with no one animal or family of animals accounting for one-half of the establishment's agricultural production (i.e., value of animals for market) are included in this industry group. |
| 11292 | Horses and Other Equine Production 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 112920. |
| 112920 | Horses and Other Equine Production 6-digit U.S. detail | Establishments in this sector specialize in the breeding, raising, and managing of horses, mules, donkeys, and other equines for agricultural or recreational purposes. Operators range from small family farms focused on breeding stock to larger commercial enterprises dedicated to thoroughbred racing or horse racing tracks. Typical business activities include pasture management, feed storage, veterinary care, and stable maintenance to ensure animal health and welfare. Many operations also involve selective breeding programs to produce specific genetic traits for show horses or work animals. Additionally, some entities provide services related to equine transportation or boarding for local clients while maintaining their own breeding herds. The industry relies heavily on skilled labor for daily animal husbandry tasks and requires significant land resources for grazing and exercise. Scale varies greatly, with some farms producing only a few dozen animals while major facilities can house thousands of equines annually. This production contributes to the broader animal agriculture market by supplying live stock, breeding services, and related agricultural equipment to various sectors including racing, tourism, and professional equestrian events. |
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Classification References
- 01Establishments primarily engaged in equine boarding and/or training (except racehorses) are classified in Industry 115210, Support Activities for Animal Production; and
- 02Equine owners entering horses in racing or other spectator sporting events are classified in U.S. Industry 711219, Other Spectator Sports.
Index Items
Burro production
Donkey production
Horse (including thoroughbreds) production
Mule production
Pony production
How Item Can Help
Provides predictive analytics on feed consumption and animal health trends to allow producers to anticipate supply needs and reduce waste.
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External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 112920.
National Horse Society
A major trade association representing horse owners and handlers with advocacy, insurance, and educational resources.
USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service - Horses
Official government data providing detailed statistics on horse breeding, population, and industry trends.
Equine Health Network
An industry organization offering veterinary services, training, and a directory of specialists for equine production.
