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Background
Background
The agricultural equine sector makes a significant economic contribution nationally and provincially. The impact of our Ontario industry is diverse, with involvement in a variety of activities including, but not limited to, farming, racing, performance, sport, recreation, therapy, tourism, education, pharmaceutical, and medical. In addition to the economic benefits, horses provide significant environmental advantages by grazing on land that is unsuitable for growing crops, thereby promoting natural land management, provincial greenspace, and sustainability of rural agricultural areas.
However, we lacked current data on the size and contribution to the provincial economy. There had not been a comprehensive economic impact assessment conducted of the overall Ontario agricultural equine sector since 2010, almost 15 years ago.
A group of dedicated equine stakeholders came together and formed a Steering Committee to launch an economic impact study of the overall Ontario equine industry. The final report provides an updated, evidence‑based picture of the sector’s economic, environmental, and social contributions, filling a long‑standing data gap for policymakers, industry leaders, and the public.
The study found that Ontario’s equine sector supports 35,739 full-time equivalent jobs and contributes $4.4 billion to Ontario’s GDP. Total economic output generated by the sector is $8.2 billion.
The study received strong engagement from the equine community, with 1,207 horse owners and 506 equine‑related businesses completing the survey phase. Their contributions form the foundation of the final analysis and recommendations.
The equine sector is a vital part of Ontario’s agricultural landscape. This report gives the province the up‑to‑date information needed to understand the sector’s true value and to support informed decision‑making for years to come.
To read or download the full report CLICK HERE
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