USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System Launches National Equine Industry Study in 2026

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Mare and foal in a field

USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), in partnership with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), will conduct a national study of equine operations to examine the industry’s key health challenges—an effort we recognize as a top priority for the equine community. The study is expected to have two phases:

  • Phase I (Farm Study) will begin August 1, 2026. This phase will include equine operations randomly selected from the NASS list of equine farms and ranches in all 50 States. It will provide important information on equine care, health management and disease occurrence, use of equine veterinary services, and issues surrounding equines that are “at-risk” and/or in vocational transition.
  • Phase II (Equine Event Study) is expected to involve voluntary questionnaires and biological sampling conducted at equine events. NAHMS will evaluate its capacity to proceed with Phase II in spring 2027.

The data collected during this comprehensive study will be instrumental for prioritizing research to tackle equine health and disease issues, targeting education on best practices to protect equine health on farms and at events, and understanding important equine welfare issues.

Equine owners, industry stakeholders, and policy makers will benefit from the benchmark data produced by this survey, which will provide a greater understanding of equine health throughout the United States and provide valuable insight into management practices, disease preparedness, educational needs and opportunities related to equine health.

NASS and NAHMS are required by law to keep all information confidential, use the data for statistical purposes only, and publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual owner, manager or farm operation.

Results of previous NAHMS studies of the equine industry, including our most recent study from 2015, are available on the APHIS website.

Equine owners interested in participating in the Farm Study should visit NASS’ Respondent Portal at www.agcounts.usda.gov.

USDA appreciates the continued collaboration and engagement of the equine industry, whose partnership helps ensure that study findings effectively address the sector’s most important health and management priorities.

Please send inquiries about the 2026 Equine Study to NAHMS@usda.gov.