Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 The High Weald Area
1.2 The brief
1.3 A new and growing interest in the riding industry
1.4 Key findings/issues
2. The Scale of the Equine Industry
In this chapter, we look at what is known about the size of the horse population and the number of people and businesses involved with horse-riding.
2.1 Number of horses and riders
2.2 Rider profiles
2.3 Participation in riding in the South East Region
2.4 The scale of the local equine industry
2.5 Growth in equestrian activity
2.6 Key findings/issues
3. The Value of the Equine Industry
This chapter examines the economic value of the equine industry, nationally and locally.
3.1 Economic activity
3.2 Riding and agricultural diversification
3.3 The value of the local equine industry
3.4 Key findings/issues
4. Equestrian Tourism
Riding holidays and day trips from outside the local area represent a major source of potential income for the equine industry. The preferred seasons are Spring and Autumn, giving the opportunity to extend the traditional visitor season.
4.1 Tourism in the South East
4.2 Activity holidays
4.3 Potential growth of equestrian tourism
4.4 Types of riding holidays
4.5 Volume of riding holidays
4.6 What is on offer overseas?
4.7 Value of horse-riding holidays
4.8 What are riders looking for on holiday?
4.9 Promotion of equestrian tourism
4.10 Holiday accommodation in the South East
4.11 What is happening elsewhere in the UK?
4.12 Key findings/issues
5. Social and Environmental Impacts of the Equestrian Industry
"Looking after horses properly can bring enormous gains for the English countryside and its people, including a better-looking landscape, increased job opportunities and a stronger economy."18
There are a number of social and environmental reasons why horses and horse riding activity in the countryside should be supported:
5.1 Riding and social issues
5.2 Riding and environmental issues
A combination of agri-environmental schemes, access schemes and management agreements can allow equine diversification to play a major part in protecting the existing landscape.
5.2.1 Horse pasture management
5.2.2 Conservation management
5.2.3 Fodder and crops for the equestrian market
5.2.4 Use of recycled materials
5.3 Best practice
5.4 Key findings/issues
6. The Infrastructure for Riding
The key issue for the development of riding for local residents and visitors is the adequacy of the route network.
6.1 The rights of way network
6.2 The Rights of Way Condition Survey 2000
6.3 Fragmentation effect
6.4 Rights of Way Improvement Plans
6.5 National Patterns of Use and Demand
6.6 Off-road access other than rights of way
6.7 Instruments for provision of new off-road access
6.8 Improving the safety of routes open to all traffic
6.9 National Trails
6.10 Private sector responses to access provision
6.11 What do riders need and want?
6.12 The local network
6.13 Key findings/issues
7. Over-arching Issues
The HWBG has a long history of working to improve and keep open the network, and to work with others to establish other kinds of access that can be linked with rights of way to form viable routes and networks. Their aim is to provide a range of access opportunities for safe off-road riding, well distributed throughout the High Weald countryside.
7.1 A project officer to develop riding in the area
7.2 Funding
7.3 Equestrian activity and the planning system
7.4 Equestrian activity, the rating system and VAT
8. Priorities for Action
Appendix I: Rider Profiles
Who rides horses?
What do people use their horses for?
Where do they ride?
Appendix II: Comparison of Countryside Stewardship Equine Access Scheme and the Toll Routes (Off Road) Trust
Appendix III: The East Sussex Public Service Agreement 2003 - 2006, Supporting the Rural Economy
Appendix IV: An Example of Best Practice: Hertfordshire County Council
Appendix V: Bibliography
18 Rachel Simpson, Project Officer, Horse Pasture Management Project, Surrey CountrysideFocus June/July 2002
