The National Animal Health Monitoring 

System’s (NAHMS) Equine 2005 study 

will consist of two separate elements: an 

indepth look at on-farm health-management 

factors relating to the control of equine 

infectious diseases and an equine events 

component. Twenty-eight States will 

participate in Equine 2005 (see map).

On-farm Component

The on-farm component will begin in summer 

2005. Enumerators from the U.S. Department 

of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics 

Service will contact a random sample of 

equine operations in the 28 participating 

States. This component of the study will

■ Focus on health practices that could 

impact the occurrence of equine 

infectious diseases,

■ Determine health-management factors 

related to the control of equine infectious 

diseases, as implemented on-farm in the 

28 States,

■ Compare relevant data collected in 2005 

to data collected during the NAHMS 

Equine ’98 study,

■ Help identify trends in equine health 

management related to the control of 

equine infectious diseases, and

■ Gather data specific to equine vaccination.

Events Component

The study’s events component will begin in 

spring 2005 at selected equine gatherings, 

sales, shows, or other events in 6 of the 28 

participating States (California, Colorado, 

Florida, Kentucky, New York, and Texas). Up 

to 60 events from each of the 6 States will be 

selected to participate in the study. Data will 

be gathered by State and Federal veterinary 

medical officers via telephone or personal 

interview regarding

■ The scope (number and type) of equine 

events in the six States,

■ The use of equine health documents 

at events as well as a description of 

age, origin, and vaccination history of 

attending equids, and

■ The traceability of equids once they leave 

the selected events.

Confidentiality

Because NAHMS’ national studies rely on 

voluntary participation, confidentiality of 

respondent information is a top priority. All 

participants are identified (e.g., name and 

address) with a numeric code. Only the data 

collector knows the identity of the respondent. 

No names or addresses are recorded in 

any database. No individual’s data will be 

reported. Reports will summarize data for 

national and/or regional estimates.

NAHMS Studies

■ National in scope

■ Voluntary, confidential

■ Statistically reliable

■ Scientifically valid

■ Collaborative in nature

Equine 2005

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“The horse industry was put in sharper 

focus with the statistics provided from the 

NAHMS Equine ’98 study, and the NAHMS 

Equine 2005 study should further enable our 

industry to learn and change for the better.”

—Kimberly S. Herbert

Editor, The Horse

USDA photo by Tim McCabe.

APHIS photo by Charles Kerlee.
United States Department of Agriculture 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Program Aid No. 1819

Equine 2005

A Study of America’s Equine 

Population

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits 

discrimination in all its programs and activities on 

the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, 

age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, 

or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases 

apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities 

who require alternative means for communication of 

program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, 

etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 

720–2600 (voice and TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, 

Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten 

Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 

(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider and employer.

Cover photo: APHIS photo by Charles Kerlee.

Issued May 2005

For more information, contact

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Veterinary Services, Attention: NAHMS

NRRC Building B, Mailstop 2E7

2150 Centre Avenue

Fort Collins, CO 80526–8117

Phone: (970) 494–7000

E-mail: NAHMSweb@aphis.usda.gov

or visit NAHMS on the Web at

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs.

“The NAHMS Equine ’98 study was an 

outstanding contribution to the Nation’s 

multibillion-dollar equine industry. The 

practical information generated was used 

by the public and by researchers to make 

science-based recommendations on the 

health and welfare of horses. I anticipate 

the NAHMS Equine 2005 study, with its 

focus on biosecurity and equestrian events, 

will provide similar benefits to America’s 

equine population.”

—Roberta M. Dwyer, D.V.M, M.S., DACVPM

Associate Professor

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center

University of Kentucky

“The NAHMS Equine 2005 study is 

designed to provide much needed 

information about equine infectious 

diseases, on-farm management risk 

factors, and disease transmission risks as 

related to equine events and commingling 

activities. This study will yield great 

benefits for animal health professionals and 

animal health officials alike.”

—Wayne E. Cunningham, D.V.M., M.S.

Colorado State Veterinarian

Colorado Department of Agriculture

USDA photo by Ken Hammond.