Our industry

The horse industry is a major activity in rural England and has justifiable claim to be the second largest activity in the countryside after farming. It can be said to comprise:

• all activities based on the use, possession or ownership of horses, ranging from professional through to leisure and
• the suppliers of horse-related goods and services for those core activities

The use of the term industry is intended to emphasise the national importance of these activities, and is intended to include the many recreational riders and others who may not see themselves as part of an 'industry' in the traditional sense.

• 2.8 million people in Britain have ridden in the past year*
• the value of the industry has been estimated at £3.4 billion †
  
• it employs up to 250,000 people directly and indirectly †
• 25% of households have some interest in the horse industry *
• the horse population totals over one million with 721,500 households with responsibility for the daily upkeep of a horse - this is an increase of 20% on 1999 figures.*

The equine industries offer considerable benefits for the rural economy. They are:

• labour intensive
• environmentally friendly
• tourism friendly
• offer training and career opportunities
• offer sustainable markets and opportunities to market product both here and overseas

* BETA 2006 research - for more detailed information see our facts and figures page
† The Henley centre report of research on the horse industry in Great Britain 2003. This 107 page report commissioned by DEFRA and the BHIC aimed to establish a base-line for the industry and a sizing of the industry given available data sources. It also investigated predominant strategic issues for the industry over the next ten years which were crucial in the first stages of drawing up the Horse Industry Strategy and Action Plan (PDF, 1MB). You may also view the press release.