Many people wonder why there is so much interest in horses, especially since the technological revolution replaced much of what horses did for us. If you're not convinced of the importance of the horse in our modern society, here are a few numbers from the American Horse Council Foundation that may help.

• The national horse industry has an $11.4 billion impact on California's economy.
• The California based horse industry produces goods and services valued at $3.4 billion.
• 720,500 Californians are involved in the industry as horse owners, service providers, employees and volunteers. And that number doesn't include those who participate as spectators.
• The California horse industry provides 36,000 full-time jobs.
• Spending by suppliers and employees generates additional jobs in California for a total employment impact of 124,400.
• There are 642,000 horses in California and over 70% of them are involved in showing and recreation.

The numbers don't tell the entire story. Horses effect us in many ways on an emotional and social level. That was evident in observing the crowds at the 1999 Horse Expo.

California Heartland will be exploring, in depth, the relationship between human and horse in an upcoming Heartland special now in production. Be sure to watch for it.

If you have comments or questions about this story, please E-mail Executive Producer Jerry Blair at jblair@kvie.org.