Membership and breed loyalty highlighted
APHA experiences record response to recent survey

FORT WORTH, Texas—The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) recently hosted its first membership survey in four years, with a record response from participants around the world. The APHA survey was hosted online and open to all adult members of the association. A total of 5,282 members responded—more than six times the number of people who participated in a 2003 survey.

APHA President Richard Cox spoke for the Executive Committee about the importance of committing to the project. “The survey is essential for future planning and will be a catalyst for making sure we are meeting the needs of our membership. It also provides us with the tools we need to make the best use of our time and resources,” he said.

Among more than 500 pages of analysis and results, the following information resulted from the survey:

• The average length of APHA membership is 7 years.
• 46 percent of respondents have been members for 7 years or more.
• 96 percent of those who took the survey plan to renew their membership.
• 75 percent initially joined APHA because they purchased an American Paint Horse; 68 percent initially joined to register an American Paint Horse.
• 80 percent of members surveyed actively recommend Paint Horses to others.
• 82 percent feel APHA is an excellent breed association.
• Respondents own an average of 7.9 horses, of which 4.4 are registered American Paint Horses.
• 51.5 percent of surveyed members own a Solid Paint-Bred. Of those, 95 percent are reported as registered with APHA.
• Of the responding Solid Paint-Bred owners who participate in SPB classes at approved shows, over 41 percent feel the classes increase the value of their horses.
• 68 percent of respondents have friends or riding companions who also ride Paint Horses.
• 43 percent of surveyed members ride 2 to 3 times a week; 20 percent ride daily.
• The average APHA member participates in 3.7 association-related events annually.
• Survey participants spend an average of $14,500 annually on their horses, with feed, training and travel being the largest expenses.
• 90 percent of those who took the survey own 2-axle trailers.
• The average age of respondents is 45.1 years.
• 63 percent live in a rural area or small town
• Respondents own an average of 118 acres.
• An average APHA member, according to the survey, owns 12.9 pairs of jeans, 5.7 pairs of boots and 3.8 hats, 3.9 Western saddles, 1 English saddle and 4.3 sets of protective support boots.
• Those surveyed have owned horses for an average of 23.9 years.

APHA last surveyed its membership in 2003 and received 944 responses. The 2007 survey was conducted by Decision Analysts, Inc., of Arlington, Texas.