Pennsylvania is a Top Ten Horse State

For those that are not well versed in economic terms direct effects include economic activity within the horse industry such as people employed at a racetrack or the money
spent by a horse owner buying feed. Indirect effects are the effects of the direct expenditures on other business sectors such as the farmers that grow hay. And finally induced effects are the impacts that result from the spending of labor income such as a racetrack employee using their income to purchase personal goods.
The horse industry in Pennsylvania can be divided into the recreation competition and racing sectors. Recreation is the largest sector with more than 10 of PA households participating in trail riding and 8 4 of PA households taking lessons. 

The recreation sector adds 329 million directly to
the economy and supports 8450 direct jobs. The competition sector adds 279 million directly to the economy and supports 7640 direct jobs. The racing sector adds 314 million directly to the economy and supports 3778 direct jobs. There are six tracks in Pennsylvania three for Thoroughbred racing Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course Parx Casino and Racing and Presque Isle Downs and Casino and three for Standardbred racing Harrahs Philadelphia Racetrack The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono and The Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

Takehome message
Overall the results of the 2017 economic survey show promise for the equine industry. While there may be fewer horses in the nation as compared to 2007 in Pennsylvania the equine industry is stronger than ever. And with many youth involved in the equine industry the industry seems primed to continue to grow