United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture 

Veterinary Services 

Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health November 2004 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

NAHMS to Study Equine 

Industry in 2005 

The USDA’s National Animal 

Health Monitoring System 

(NAHMS) conducts national 

studies on the health and 

management of America’s 

domestic livestock populations. 

In 1998, NAHMS took its first indepth look at the U.S. equine 

population with the Equine ’98 

study. The study included, but 

was not limited to, valuable 

information on the health and 

health management practices of 

the U.S. equine population, 

testing practices for equine infectious anemia, 

equine identification, infectious upper respiratory 

disease, colic, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, 

causes of equine death, vaccination practices, and 

biosecurity on equine operations. Multiple reports, 

information sheets, and scientific articles were 

generated from this study. Equine ’98 reports and 

information sheets are available at: 

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

equine/equine.htm 

Equine 2005 Study 

Twenty-eight States will participate in the 

Equine 2005 study (see map on next page). The 

study will consist of two separate components 

which will focus on equine events and on-farm 

health management factors relating to the control of 

equine infectious diseases. 

Events Component 

The study’s event component will begin in 

spring 2005 at selected equid gatherings, sales, 

shows, or 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 surveyed. Information will be 

gathered regarding 

• The scope (number and type) of equine 

events in the six States, 

• The use of equid health documents at 

events as well as a description of age, 

origin, and vaccination history for attending 

equids, and 

• The traceability of equids once they leave 

the selected events. 

Equine event data will be collected by 

veterinary medical officers via telephone or 

personal interview. 

On-Farm Component 

The on-farm component will begin in summer 

2005. National Agricultural Statistics Service 

enumerators 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, 
United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture 

• Determine health management factors 

related to control of equine infectious 

diseases, as implemented on-farm in the 

28 States, and 

• Compare relevant data collected in 2005 to 

data collected during the Equine ‘98 study. 

These comparisons will help identify trends 

in equine health management related to the 

control of infectious diseases and the 

economic consequences of selected equine 

diseases.

Controlling equine infectious diseases is 

important, as these diseases can result in lost use 

of the animals and in some cases death. There are 

many potential control points for preventing or 

minimizing the impact of equine infectious disease 

outbreaks. These include precautions that reduce 

exposure to infectious agents, optimize resistance if 

exposure occurs, and provide early identification of 

outbreaks, thereby limiting the spread of disease. 

_____________________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________________________ 

Data collected on individual operations will be 

summarized and used in regional and national 

estimates. As always, links between NAHMS data 

and operations where the data were collected are 

confidential. 

________________________________ 

For more information, contact: 

USDA:APHIS:VS:CEAH 

NRRC Building B, M.S. 2E7 

2150 Centre Avenue 

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117 

970.494.7000 

E-mail: CNAHSweb@aphis.usda.gov 

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

#N429-1104 

____________________________________ 

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 status 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, 1400 Independence 

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 

(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

Mention of companies or commercial products does not imply 

recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture over others not mentioned. USDA neither guarantees nor 

warrants the standard of any product mentioned. Product names are 

mentioned solely to report factually on available data and to provide 

specific information. 

States participating in 

on-farm component 

only

States participating in on-farm 

and events components

WA

OR

CA

NY

MT

WY

NM

CO

OK

KS

MN

MO

WI

MI

IL IN OH

PA

MD

VA

NJ

TN

TX LA

AL GA

FL

KY

Equine 2005 Participating States