Report - Section 3.1

3.1   Economic activity

The input to the national economy of the UK equine industry is estimated to be around £2.5 billion, just over one third the size of farming’s contribution of £7 billion.

The horse industry consists of the following main activities:

• Private ownership;
• Equitation centres;
• Sport (including racing and shows);
• Working animals (including police and service horses);
• Educational/therapeutic use;
• Breeding.

Additionally, it involves a plethora of associated businesses and jobs, including the following:

• Veterinarians
• Farriers
• Farmers
• Feed merchants
• Forage/bedding suppliers
• Saddlers/tack repairers
• Clothing/accessory suppliers
• Transport (horseboxes, trailers, 4wd)
• Insurance brokers
• Equestrian holiday providers
• Registered trainers
• Estate agents/valuers/surveyors
• Grooms/hunt staff
• Riding schools/livery yards
• Horse breeders
• Jump builders
• Fencing contractors
• All weather surface providers
• Drainage contractors
• Rosette makers
• PA system providers
• Therapists
• Agricultural college personnel
• Security companies

In 1999, horse owners and riders were estimated to spend around⁸:

• £2.5 billion on horses and riding;
• £150 million on buying horses;
• £1200 million on the upkeep of horses;
• £500 million on lessons; and
• £350 million on clothing and other purchases.

In 1992, the average annual expenditure per leisure rider who owns a horse was estimated to be £5,292⁹ although this figure is considered high (see local survey referred to later).

The equine industry is the second biggest employer in the rural economy, providing over 150,000 jobs directly and indirectly¹⁰. Within the industry, the equine leisure sector (livery yards and riding schools) is the largest employer.

Each riding establishment is estimated to provide 6 full time job equivalents (FTJEs), or two full time jobs for every 9 horses. If each riding establishment provides 6 FTJEs, then riding enterprises’ would support 54 FTJEs in the Leaderplus area. Wealden and Rother Districts together would support 168 FTJEs.

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⁸ National Equestrian Survey 1999, BETA
⁹ Stam, Horse and Hound Equestrian Survey 1992
¹⁰ UK Equestrianism, National Farmers Union