SARATOGA COUNTY — A Minnesota consulting firm has begun a study that will determine whether a regional horse park in the county is a practical idea.

Rod Markin, president of Markin Consulting of Maple Grove, Minn., spent the last two days in the county, meeting with interested groups and visiting a few potential sites.

“We’re here to listen and get a basis of understanding,” Markin said Tuesday after attending a meeting of the county Board of Supervisors in Ballston Spa. “It’s more fact-finding now than drawing any conclusions.”

The much-anticipated study, originally expected to start last year, will look at whether there’s a place in the county for a regional horse facility, what that facility would need and whether it can be financially successful.

Last year, county supervisors voted in favor of doing a professional study after some elected officials and equine advocates promoted the idea. Cornell Cooperative Extension agreed to oversee the study.

The state provided $90,000 in funding to pay for the study.

“I’m optimistic this is the proper place for a horse park in New York,” said Charlton Supervisor Alan R. Grattidge, the county board’s liaison to Cooperative Extension.

The idea of a horse park here builds on Saratoga’s established reputation for horse farming and horse racing, and agricultural census figures that show it has the most horses of any county in the state. Relative proximity to the Adirondack Northway and the state Thruway will also factor into site selection.

“This Board of Supervisors is interested in supporting agriculture, open space, the equine industry,” Grattidge said.

New York doesn’t currently have a multi-use horse show park and event site for riding and competition like the existing parks in Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky and other states.

County Cooperative Extension Executive Director William Schwerd said there was a national search for a consultant, and Markin was selected from among six proposals received.

Markin said his firm specializes in equestrian facilities and previously worked on projects including the Florida Horse Park. It recently completed a similar horse park feasibility study for the Seattle area.

On Monday and Tuesday, Markin met with local equine industry leaders. He said it is too soon to draw any conclusions.

Markin plans to have a preliminary report on the demand, scope and cost of a possible horse park at up to three locations by Labor Day. A second phase of study would then look at the financial feasibility and economic impact of the project and is supposed to be ready in October.

A Web site will be established so people can follow the progress of the study, he said.

A successful horse park could have a major positive economic impact, he said.

“Most horse parks are economic drivers,” he said. “They draw people into the area.”

The cost of getting a horse park started, including acquiring land, would in the millions of dollars, by all accounts.

Grattidge said the county will need to start talking to state lawmakers about the importance a horse park could place in bringing economic development and additional tourism upstate.

“This isn’t just a county project,” Grattidge said. “It needs to have regional support, and support from the state.”