Australia Equine Health Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product (Drugs {Anti-Infectives, Anti-Inflammatory, Parasiticides, Others}, Vaccines {Inactivated, Live Attenuated, Recombinant, Others}, Supplemental Feed Additives), By Disease (West Nile Virus, Equine Rabies, Equine Influenza, Equine Herpes Virus, Potomac Horse Fever, Tetanus, Others), By Distribution Channel (Veterinary Hospitals and Clinics, Retail Pharmacies & Drug Stores, Others), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

The Australia equine health market size was valued at USD 73.9 million in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 76.5 million in 2025 to USD 113.2 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period.

Australia's equine health market is growing predominantly during the forecast period. The rising number of equine health diseases, disease outbreaks, and increasing focus on equestrian sport activities propel the demand for vaccines, drugs, and supplemental feed additives. These products help to prevent diseases, mitigate risks, and maintain proper nutrition and diet for the horses.

• For instance, in July 2023, an outbreak of Hendra Virus was reported in Newcastle, Australia. Such outbreaks increase the demand for vaccination to prevent the spread of infections and maintain equine health.

Moreover, government support and increasing awareness programs to help equine caregivers better understand symptoms, preventive measures, and available treatment are anticipated to augment the overall growth in the Australian equine health market. Furthermore, key players such as Zoetis Services LLC., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Merck & Co., Inc., are offering robust solutions for equine health. Additionally, these market companies collaborate strategically to launch novel treatments and offer better outcomes for providers and patients.

MARKET DYNAMICS

MARKET DRIVERS

Increasing Equestrian Sports in Australia to Boost Market Growth

The increasing popularity of equestrian sports and culture in Australia significantly boosts market growth. The factors complementing the growth of equestrian sports in Australia are optimum weather, geographical conditions, and historical background. The equestrian sports increase the demand for healthy performance horses for activities such as riding, dressage, and show jumping. Thus, to maintain the performance of the horses, the mandatory vaccination, proper medications, and tailored supplementary feed additives are required, thus driving the Australia equine health market growth.

Moreover, an increasing number of racing horses in the country propels the adoption of equine health products, thus augmenting market growth.

• For instance, in August 2023, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that the Equestrian Federation of Australia registered 3,800 equestrians, 28,500 horses to compete in events sponsored by its 500 affiliated clubs.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Shortage of Equine Veterinarians and Lack of Government Support to Hinder the Market Expansion 

One factor that hampers the equine health market is the shortage of skilled veterinarians to support equine health. This is due to the complexities such as long working hours, no uncontrolled work environment, etc., leading towards a shortage of skilled professionals in the country.

• For instance, in December 2021, the Australian Veterinary Association published a veterinary workforce survey that reported that among 2,762 respondents, only 150 practiced on equine animals. Such a small number of practitioners for equine care hindered the market’s growth.

However, the government focuses on discovering the reasons for veterinary workforce shortages and mitigating the challenges to support veterinary professionals in the area.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Research and Development Initiatives to Develop Treatment Creates Market Growth Avenues

The rising equine osteoarthritis in Australia is due to the degeneration of joint cartilage due to wear and tear, trauma, or overload. Also, the drugs available for treatment are not ideal for long-term administration for the management of OA, as well as the Intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection increases the risks of joint infection; thus, many companies are focusing on developing new hydrogel technology without an active pharmaceutical ingredient, hence creating innovative growth opportunities in the market.

• For instance, Contura Vet developed Arthramid, a new hydrogel technology, offering treatment for osteoarthritis in horses without an active pharmaceutical. It focused on restoring the function of the synovial membrane, rather than masking the pain.

Such treatments shifted the focus of caregivers and veterinarians to offer advance treatments to maintain horse health in the country.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Rising Antimicrobial Resistance in Equines to Challenge the Market Growth

Rising antimicrobial resistance presents a considerable challenge to the growth of the market. AMR reduces the effectiveness of the commonly used antibiotics, leading to prolonged illnesses, treatment failures, and potentially even mortality in horses.

Such factors burden the caregivers economically due to reliance on more expensive treatment alternatives. Also, failure of treatment increases the need for diagnostic testing and frequent changes in the treatment, thus impacting horse welfare and productivity, thereby threatening the overall sustainability of the Australian equine industry.

AUSTRALIA EQUINE HEALTH MARKET TRENDS

Development of Advanced Equine Treatments is Identified as a Key Market Trend

The increasing number of inflammatory diseases in racing horses has increased the demand for targeted and efficient treatment alternatives for joint pain. Thus, the utilization of regenerative medicine therapies to help equine conditions is one of the most prominent Australian equine health market trends. Currently, available drug treatments do not show targeted action and have a narrow margin of safety with potentially adverse and fatal side effects. Therefore, regenerative medicine therapies promote wound healing naturally, by replacing or repairing diseased or damaged cells and tissues in the body. Thus, helps in treating conditions such as lameness, tendon injuries, ligament issues, and promotes wound healing.

Moreover, many key companies focus on developing and launching regenerative medicine for maintaining equine health, thus offering a prominent market trend.

• For instance, in January 2021, Zoetis Services LLC expanded its equine product portfolio with the addition of Pro-Stride APS, Restigen PRP, and CenTrate BMA, a range of devices designed to help address injuries common in horses that may cause lameness.

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SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

By Product

Rising Surge in Equine Diseases and Strategic Activities to Dominate Drug Segment Growth in 2024

Based on product, the market is divided into drugs, vaccines, and supplemental feed additives.

The drugs segment dominated the Australia equine health market in 2024. The segment's growth is driven by rising equine diseases associated with parasitic infections, inflammatory diseases, gastric diseases, and others. Additionally, strategic activities and the presence of key market players with robust product offerings for these diseases are expected to boost the segment’s growth in the market.

• For instance, in July 2021, Luoda Pharma collaborated with the University of South Australia to develop an injectable medicine for treating gastric ulcers in equines for enhanced healing and faster treatment. Such advancements are bolstering the segment’s growth in the market.

The vaccines segment held the second largest share of the product segment in the market. The increasing demand for horse vaccination in equestrian sports is to prevent deadly equine diseases and reduce disease outbreaks; moreover, the presence of advanced vaccination for equine provided by major players is expected to augment the segment's growth.

• For instance, Zoetis Services LLC introduced Equivac 2in1, a dual-action vaccine in Australia. It is designed to protect horses against tetanus and aid in the control of strangles.

The supplemental feed additives segment is expected to grow with a moderate CAGR during the forecast period. Rising adoption of equestrian sports in the country increases the demand for quality feed and supplements to fulfill the intense training and competition demands. Thus, such factors drive the need for supplemental and medicinal feed additives and boost the segment growth in the market.

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By Disease

Disease Outbreak and Vaccination Recommendation to Boost the Other Segment Growth

Based on the disease, the market is divided into West Nile virus, equine rabies, equine influenza, equine herpes virus, Potomac horse fever, tetanus, and others.

The other segment dominated the Australia equine health market share in 2024. The dominant share of the segment is augmented by an increasing number of equine diseases such as Hendra virus, Salmonella infections, rotavirus, etc., boosted the demand for adequate treatment and vaccination in the country.

• For instance, in July 2025, Biosecurity Queensland confirmed an unvaccinated horse tested positive for the virus in south-east Australia and later died after a rapid deterioration of its condition. Such outbreaks increase the demand for vaccinations and thus propel the segment’s growth in the market.

Equine herpes virus holds a considerable market share and is expected to grow with a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Owing to the spread of the disease between the horse populations due to its contagious nature. Furthermore, vaccinations are required to reduce the risk of the spread of infection and prevent abortion in the mares. Such factors are expected to propel the equine health product adoption and the market growth.

The tetanus disease segment is growing with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing demand for tetanus vaccination for equestrian horses and the high recommended dose of vaccine for foals and horses boosts its demand and segment’s growth.

The West Nile Virus held a moderate segmental share in the Australian equine health market. The segment’s growth is attributed to outbreaks of West Nile virus disease in particular regions, increasing the demand for equine health products to decrease the symptoms and outbreaks during the forecasted timeframe.

• For instance, in February 2022, the New South Wales Government reported cases of West Nile virus infections in the Hunter and Riverina regions in Australia. Such factors heighten the demand for medications and bolster the market growth.

By Distribution Channel

Advanced Treatment and Facilities led to the Veterinary Hospitals & Clinics Segment’s Dominance.

Based on distribution channel, the market is segmented into veterinary hospitals & clinics, retail pharmacies and drug stores, and others.

The veterinary hospitals & clinics segment held the dominant share of the market in 2024. The dominant share of the segment is augmented by the vast presence of equine care centers in the country and the high focus of caregivers to maintain equine health for various purposes, including work, racing, riding, and breeding. Thus, these settings are convenient to the caregivers for proper guidance and treatment, leading towards high distribution of equine healthcare products via these channels, catering towards the segment’s growth in the market.

On the other hand, the retail pharmacies and drug stores segment accounted for the second largest market share. These channels offer convenience and variety of equine medications and supplements; additionally, collaborations among pharmacies are expected to catalyze the segmental growth.

• For instance, in June 2023, Vetsource, a pet pharmacy and technology services provider, launched education courses in veterinary pharmacy. These courses aimed to focus on the treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome and offer comprehensive treatments and dosing regimens to the patients and caregivers.

Furthermore, the other segments are expected to grow during the forecast period. Increasing online pharmacies that offer prescription medication and feed for horses with doorstep delivery convenience, contributing to the segment's growth.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Robust Product Portfolio and Strategic Activities to Maintain Key Companies’ Positions in the Market

The Australian market comprises key players such as Zoetis Services LLC., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Merck & Co., Inc., and Dechra, which held a substantial market share in 2024. The presence of robust products in vaccines, drugs, and supplemental feed additives for equine health and technological innovations bolsters their standing in the Australian market.

Other notable companies actively operating in the Australian market include Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Merck & Co., Inc., Elanco, Vetoquinol, Abbey Labs, Norbrook, and Virbac. These firms are anticipated to concentrate on offering advance products and strategic initiatives for equine care to expand their market share throughout the forecast period.

• For instance, in December 2024, Merck & Co., Inc., partnered with the University of Kentucky‘s Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center. The two-year Merck Equine Research Fellowship supported research fellow Izabela De Assis Rocha, BVM, PhD candidate, in her study of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) and Sarcocystis neurona.

LIST OF KEY AUSTRALIA EQUINE HEALTH COMPANIES PROFILED

• Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (Germany)
• Elanco (U.S.)
• Zoetis Services LLC (U.S.)
• Ceva (France)
• Virbac (France)
• Vetoquinol (France)
• Abbey Labs (Australia)
• Merck & Co., Inc. (U.S.)
• Purina Animal Nutrition LLC. (U.S.)
• Norbrook ( U.K.)
• Zamira (Australia)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• March 2025- Purina Animal Nutrition LLC partnered with Valley Equine to provide a nutrition program for its stallions. This collaboration ensured stallions at Valley Equine Reproduction benefit from a scientifically backed feeding program.
• December 2024-Animalcare Group acquired Randlab, a privately-owned, Australian-based equine veterinary business, to offer an extensive portfolio of equine brands.
• March 2024- Zoetis Services LLC purchased a 21-acre manufacturing site in Melbourne, Australia, to expand its current operations and increase future capabilities to develop and manufacture vaccines for sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, and horses.
• July 2021- U-Vet Werribee Equine Centre received USD 2.0 million to develop a clinical treatment for equine lameness prevention and diagnosis program.
• March 2018- Vetoquinol launched Zyklene in Australia. Zyklene is a behavior supplement that helps horses relax, adapt to new environments, and cope with challenging situations without sedation.

REPORT COVERAGE

The Australia equine health report provides detailed equine health market analysis. It focuses on key aspects such as an overview of the technological advancements, the regulatory scenario for key countries, and the challenges faced in adopting and implementing innovative treatments. Additionally, it includes key industry developments, such as mergers, partnerships, & acquisitions, and an overview of key diseases treated in hospitals and clinics. Furthermore, the report comprises a segmental analysis, and company profiles of the key companies in the market.

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Report Scope & Segmentation