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NAHMS Equine 2026 Study

  • Brandy A. Burgess
  • 1 day ago
  • 2 min read
Chestnut horse portrait on Equine Business Magazine cover, with NAHMS Equine 2026 Study text over a blurred green background.

What is the NAHMS Equine 2026 Study?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) conducts a national equine study approximately every 10 years. The upcoming Equine 2026 study will support industry groups and research efforts with new and valuable information on equine health and management. The Equine 2026 study includes two components: an equine farm study and an equine event study. The farm study consists of one questionnaire which will be administered by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). For the event study, NAHMS representatives will contact event managers to complete a questionnaire and participate in biologic sampling.


Who is Eligible to Participate in the Farm Study?

A random selection of almost 3,600 equine operations with at least 5 equines located in all 50 States will be asked to participate. While participation is voluntary, high participation rates allow for better data quality. NASS will contact selected participants in August 2026.


Why Should I Participate in the Study?

The study will provide valuable information about changes in the equine population over time, including important disease trends and updated health and management practices. It will also examine availability of veterinary care and preparedness for emergencies and natural disasters affecting equines. The results will guide future research and education to benefit equine health. Participants will not only represent themselves but also the owners who were not selected for the study.


USDA APHIS flyer for NAHMS Equine 2026 Study with U.S. map, horse photo, QR code, and participation info on a white-and-blue layout

What are the Next Steps?

If you don’t currently receive NASS censuses or surveys, sign up at www.agcounts.usda.gov/static/getcounted.html. If NASS contacts you to participate in August 2026, please agree to complete the NAHMS Equine 2026 study. Until then, you can help spread the word to other owners about the importance of the 2026 study. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.


To access reports from previous NAHMS studies or information on upcoming studies, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/nahms or scan the QR code.



Brandy A. Burgess, DVM, MSc, PhD, DACVIM, DACVPM

Professor of Epidemiology & Infection Control

Dept. of Population Health | College of Veterinary Medicine

Director of Infection Control | Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Interim Assoc. Dean for Clinical Services | College of Vet Med

University of Georgia, Athens, GA


This article is from the August 2026 issue of Equine Business Magazine

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