Foal Numbers Declining for Several Horse Breeds

Possibly due to changes in the economy, several breed registries are seeing fewer new registrations. Thoroughbred foals registered with The Jockey Club numbered 25,500 in 2011 compared to 38,099 in 2006. The Standardbred industry also reported decreasing foal crops, citing 9,796 foals registered in 2011 as compared to 14,106 in 2006.

The number of new registrations in the U.S. for Quarter Horses, one of the most popular breeds for pleasure riding and competition, was 75,225 in the U.S. in 2011. This number, which includes Quarter Horses of all ages, was down more than 9,000 from the previous year, and considerably lower than the figure of 144,236 reported in 2006. This figure represents first-time registrations for the breed rather than just a particular year’s foal crop.

Registration of foals or older horses is not required unless an owner intends to enter a horse in a race or competition. Therefore, these numbers do not show total numbers of horses for any breed.