In the Heart of Horse Country – Ocala, Florida

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34 – January/February, 2023

By Brittany Vermeer

Black board fencing snakes its way over hill and dale to a palatial estate overlooking pastureland that goes on for miles. The misty morning sunrise emerges to reveal horses grazing underneath majestic, live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Where is this magical place where horses run free and the land is dotted with a patchwork of every type of farm, ranch, and homestead imaginable?

You’d be mistaken if you guessed Lexington, Kentucky or Middleburg, Virginia. We’re talking about the Heart of Horse Country: Ocala, Florida.

It’s not just a clever moniker. Ocala and surrounding Marion County were officially named the Horse Capitol of the World in 2007. The designation is a testament to the area’s rich equestrian tradition, large population of horse farms, and unique climate that’s well-suited for breeding, training, and riding horses.

If it comes as somewhat of a surprise to learn that Florida has much more to offer than beaches, bays, and balmy breezes, you’re probably unaware that Marion County has more horses and ponies than any other county in the nation. Specifically, the area contains more than 900 farms that specialize in almost every major breed of horse.

In fact, more than 200,000 acres of the area’s 377,000 acres is used for horse-related purposes. The county’s equine industry has a $2.3 billion annual economic impact and generates $1.6 billion in value-added contribution to the gross domestic product, which helps to sustain 22,000 full- and part-time jobs.

Click here to read the complete article
34 – January/February, 2023