Carrying Kentucky forward
Every year, the horse industry contributes billions of dollars to Kentucky’s economy. And our impact goes far beyond racing. More than 60,000 Kentuckians — farmers and veterinarians, attorneys and lab technicians — work in the industry. Even more benefit from the tourism it brings.
Veterinarians
Sarah Hargrove is two years old in her first of many photos with a horse. Today, she’s a veterinarian at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and the resident vet at Taylor Made Farm. In a life shaped by horses, she’s found support and community in the big, giant family of the equine industry — and a deep connection with her patients.
Veterinarians
Sarah Hargrove is two years old in her first of many photos with a horse. Today, she’s a veterinarian at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and the resident vet at Taylor Made Farm. In a life shaped by horses, she’s found support and community in the big, giant family of the equine industry — and a deep connection with her patients.
Veterinarians
Sarah Hargrove is two years old in her first of many photos with a horse. Today, she’s a veterinarian at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and the resident vet at Taylor Made Farm. In a life shaped by horses, she’s found support and community in the big, giant family of the equine industry — and a deep connection with her patients.
Trainers
At K Bar C Ranch, Kelly Curry stays busy. She’s a professional trainer, barrel racer, and rodeo coach who discovered her love of horses in childhood. What started as a hobby has provided a livelihood and a way of life that takes her kids from the barn in the morning to the rodeo on weekends. For her, horses aren’t a tool or a dollar sign. They’re everything.
Trainers
At K Bar C Ranch, Kelly Curry stays busy. She’s a professional trainer, barrel racer, and rodeo coach who discovered her love of horses in childhood. What started as a hobby has provided a livelihood and a way of life that takes her kids from the barn in the morning to the rodeo on weekends. For her, horses aren’t a tool or a dollar sign. They’re everything.
Trainers
At K Bar C Ranch, Kelly Curry stays busy. She’s a professional trainer, barrel racer, and rodeo coach who discovered her love of horses in childhood. What started as a hobby has provided a livelihood and a way of life that takes her kids from the barn in the morning to the rodeo on weekends. For her, horses aren’t a tool or a dollar sign. They’re everything.
Farriers
Brian and Chase Spencer start their days early. Up at 5:30 and on the farm before 8:00, the father-and-son farriers shoe up to 10 horses per day. And over time, they’ve become like family to the people and horses they work with. Through decades of change — from growing up to confronting health challenges — they’ve found stability, fulfillment, and community in the industry.
Farriers
Brian and Chase Spencer start their days early. Up at 5:30 and on the farm before 8:00, the father-and-son farriers shoe up to 10 horses per day. And over time, they’ve become like family to the people and horses they work with. Through decades of change — from growing up to confronting health challenges — they’ve found stability, fulfillment, and community in the industry.
Farriers
Brian and Chase Spencer start their days early. Up at 5:30 and on the farm before 8:00, the father-and-son farriers shoe up to 10 horses per day. And over time, they’ve become like family to the people and horses they work with. Through decades of change — from growing up to confronting health challenges — they’ve found stability, fulfillment, and community in the industry.
We all have a story to tell
No two experiences are the same. But all around Kentucky, horses are changing our lives for the better.
An economic and cultural catalyst
Horses are at the center of our communities. Family farms, small businesses, and local events do more than drive our state’s economy. They directly support families across the commonwealth.
$6.5
billion annual economic impact
60,000+
Direct and indirect jobs
35,000
Equine operations with at least one horse
Learn about the industry
Explore resources from organizations around the state. Learn about Kentucky’s history with horses, career pathways in the industry, horse care basics, and much more.
View ResourcesHorses work for all of us
