National study to give snapshot of equine industry 

The Equine 2026 Study will be launched in August 2026 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Monitoring System will help provide critical insights into equine health, welfare and management trends across the United States.  

This voluntary and confidential study will be conducted in two phases, starting with a national farm questionnaire followed by on-site event sampling to identify current disease risks. By participating, equine owners directly help the industry allocate resources for future research, healthcare, and emergency preparedness. Owners are encouraged to watch for an invitation to participate starting in August 2026, as owner input is key to protecting and promoting the health of our equine athletes. 

Nathaniel A. White II, DVM, MS Diplomate ACVS Professor Emeritus of Equine Surgery Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center and past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, said the study is similar to previous ones in 1998, 2005, and 2015, 

“Understanding the needs of the horse industry makes the upcoming 2026 NAHMS study critically important for the future,” White said. “Information garnered from the 2026 study will be used to identify disease prevalence and guide the equine industry in allocating resources for future research, health care, professional services, and natural disasters.” 

White urged horse owners to participate, and he said owner input is key to recognizing biosecurity needs and how to prevent infectious diseases. 

The study is designed to provide a comprehensive “snapshot” of the industry, focusing on critical areas such as biosecurity strategies, emergency preparedness, and the availability of veterinary services. By providing transparent and credible data, the study helps policymakers and industry stakeholders make informed decisions to protect equine health across the U.S. 

Katie Flynn, BVMS senior staff veterinarian equine health and biosecurity at the United States Equestrian Federation, said the 2005 NAHMS Equine Event study has long been used as an important resource for the horse industry when identifying risks and needs for equine events.  

“As we look to the future, the NAHMS Equine 2026 study will provide critical insights into current disease risks and prevention strategies at equine events,” Flynn said. “The information collected from this study will provide industry experts valuable insights as to the risks and challenges related to infectious diseases at equine events.” 

According to Flynn, the results will ultimately help direct future efforts to ensure healthy and safe events for equine athletes.  

“I strongly encourage everyone to participate in the 2026 NAHMS study, which will only further help us protect and promote equine health at our equine events,” she said. 

Participating states for 2026 include: Washington, Oregon, California, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. 

NAHMS said the study relies on voluntary participation, and the privacy of participants is protected.  

For more Information email [email protected] or visit www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultrydisease/nahms. 

For more detailed information visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nahms-equine-2026-study-launch.pdf. 

Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].