Are you happy with the conditions for horse-keeping in your state? Or are you thinking of relocating to a more horse-friendly environment?
It’s a tough decision, but a company called Lawn Love has made it a bit easier by ranking the Best States for Horse Lovers. They compared all 50 states based on 27 metrics, such as equestrian programs, riding trails, horse shows and museums.(Not sure why museums would be a vital factor, but maybe some of the horse lovers referenced in the title of the study take the cultural aspect of their equestrian fixation seriously.)
Also considered were the availability of horses for sale, boarding facilities, veterinarians, trainers and affordability.
In case you’re wondering why Lawn Love cares about the Best States for Horse Lovers, it’s because grass is an essential component of equine diets, and pastures need horse-friendly grass types for safe foraging. Makes sense, right?
The rankings were put together to mark National Horse Protection Day earlier this month. Number one is California, ranked first for equestrian activities and equine care. Its overall score is 77.46, which puts it 13.71 points ahead of Texas, number two but with a number one ranking for equestrian education. Number three Florida has a score of 53.51, followed by Kentucky (39.92–number one in equine access) and New York (38.66),
New Jersey is 18th with a score of 23.56. Oddly, it was third-best in terms of affordability, which experience told me didn’t seem right, so I contacted the Lawn Love people about that. John Schmidt explained that New Jersey has the third-highest cost in the country, tied with California, but the metric was adjusted by income.
“We took the average salary of each state, as well as the average care cost, and figured what the average percentage of one’s salary would be used for equine care,” John said.
In relation to the average income, it has the third-lowest percentage, so it’s ranked third for that metric. I’m sure from most horse owners’ point of view in New Jersey, it may not feel like that.
It is 24th in equine housing and care, 15th in equine access and 12th in equestrian education.
The worst states? Delaware is at the bottom of the list, with Mississippi second worst, then West Virginia, Alaska and Hawaii. Why were they the worst? An overall lack of equestrian attractions and equine resources.
To look at the rankings of every state, click on this link.
