Discover Florida Horses
Florida is home to nearly every breed of horse. As a result, the equine industry supports a wide variety of activities, including breeding, training, racing, polo, rodeo, competitive show events like dressage, cross country, show jumping, trail and pleasure riding.
At all levels, horse lovers are drawn to Florida’s year-round moderate climate, mineral-rich water and soil, outstanding facilities and strong support industries.
Economic Impact
Multiple Graded States Winner and Florida-bred Champion WORLD APPROVAL
Eclipse Award 2017 Champion Turf Male
The Florida horse industry, including industry suppliers, generates an annual $6.8 billion economic impact on the gross domestic product of Florida. Total employment figures add up to 244,200 jobs.
With a population of over 385,000 horses, Florida ranks as the third largest equine state in the United States. Horse ownership, equine associations and profit-making organizations, plus tourism spending by riders and spectators, combine for a $11.7 billion annual economic impact.
The Ocala Breeders Sales recorded over $1 billion in Thoroughbred horse sales from 2010 to 2018.
Strong Agricultural Business Climate
Florida is the best state for business for many reasons. Here’s why:
- No personal state income tax.
- No individual capital gains tax.
- No tax on stallion seasons.
- Horses are exempt from sales tax if purchased from their original owner.
- Feed and animal health products, along with other specific items, are also exempt from the state sales tax.
- Florida's greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms.
- Certain farm equipment is also exempt from state sales tax or receives special treatment.
- Moderate climate allows for year-round farming, training, racing and showing.
- Florida ranks as a national leader in veterinary and equine research.
- Over 70,000 acres of land in Florida is used for horse-related purposes.
- Limestone-rich soil and spring-fed aquifers contribute to the growth of strong, healthy horses.
Horse Capital of the World
The first horse farm in Florida was established in Ocala in the 1930s. In the 1950s, a Thoroughbred horse named Needles became the first Triple Crown winner from Marion County. Today, every breed of horse from A to Z is represented there.
The Ocala-Marion County area also plays host to many nationally recognized equestrian events and facilities like World Equestrian Center, Horses In the Sun (HITS), the Live Oak Combined Driving Event, the Sunshine State Games Equestrian Classic and the Florida Agricultural Center and Horse Park, a 500-acre, multi-purpose facility and one of Central Florida’s premiere venues for equine, agricultural, educational and sporting events.
Florida Agricultural Center and Horse Park
Skips a Gold Leaguer, a Florida-bred Quarter Horse, ridden by Brian Rastall at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala
The Florida Agricultural Center and Horse Park Authority (Florida Horse Park) was created by the Florida legislature in 1996 with the objective to provide a unique equine, agricultural and tourism experience for both residents and visitors, generating taxes and additional dollars for the state.
Since 2006, the Florida Horse Park has hosted more than 800 events. The equine events generally host several types of visitors, including competitors, participating staff, vendors and spectators. Most of the shows hosted at the Florida Horse Park are free to the public.
The facility is a charitable organization that has been approved as a 501(c)3 Direct Support Organization (DSO) under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It serves as a multi-service facility with an RV facility, a spacious covered arena, 12 barns, four all-weather outdoor riding arenas, a cross country course and permanent restrooms.
Learn more about the Florida Horse Park.
Thoroughbred Industry
Florida is home to over 600 Thoroughbred horse farms and training centers and over 1,300 Thoroughbred owners, breeders and trainers. There are approximately 100,000 Thoroughbreds in Florida, one out of every four horses. More than 75 percent are located in the Ocala-Marion County area. Florida Thoroughbred breeders and owners alone have contributed a multi-billion investment to Florida’s economy.
Florida has produced one Triple Crown winner, six Kentucky Derby winners, seven Preakness winners, six Belmont Stakes winners, 52 national champions, and 167 equine millionaires.
Florida Quarter Horse
PF Premo, a champion Quarter Horse bred at Prince Farm in Palmetto, Florida
The Quarter Horse breed has become the most famous horse breed in North America. Florida, with the third largest quarter Horse population in the country sanctions 22 disciplines in annual Quarter Horse events generating a large economic and recreational impact. Events include cutting, reining, barrel racing and a number of roping events.
Standardbred Horse
The Standardbred is an American horse breed best known for its ability in harness racing where the horses compete at either a trot or a pace. They are solid, well-built horses with good dispositions. In addition to racing, Standardbreds can also be used for the discipline of driving.
Currently, Florida is home to over 50 breeding farms and training facilities designed exclusively for the Standardbred from South Florida to Bell in North Florida. Pompano Park, Florida’s only harness racing venue, was opened in 1964.
Florida Cracker Horse
The Florida Cracker Horse is a rare breed of horse, brought to Florida by Spanish explorers in the 1500s. As settlements grew, the horses, known for their speed and agility, were used primarily for herding cattle.
The genetic heritage of the Florida Cracker Horse is similar to the Paso Fino, the Mustang and other breeds originally introduced by the Spanish into Cuba, the Caribbean islands and South America. Florida farmers nicknamed them “Crackers” because of the sound made by their cow whips cracking the air.
In the 1930s, ranchers and cowmen turned to the larger and stronger Quarter Horse. As a result, the Cracker Horse’s survival faced dire consequences. Thanks to the work of a few Florida families, farmers and the members of Florida Cracker Horse Association, who continued to breed the Florida horse for their own use, the breed survived. Although still rare, there are now over 1,000 registered Cracker Horses, up from 31 in 1989 when the Florida Cracker Horse Association was formed. The Florida Cracker Horse Association is a nonprofit group dedicated to the preservation of the Cracker Horse breed.
