Report - Section 3.2

3.2   Riding and agricultural diversification

It is estimated that there are 500,000 ha (1.2 million acres) directly and indirectly involved in maintaining and producing horses. This is more than twice the area devoted to horticultural crops. After agriculture, the horse industry is the largest land based industry in the UK, utilising 800,000 ha (1.9 million acres).

With farm incomes lower than they have ever been in the last 30 years, farmers have become increasingly dependent on income from secondary non-agricultural activities. In 1999, nearly two thirds of farmers received additional income from external sources, accounting for up to 37% of whole farm income. The significant size of the equine industry has appealed to farmers who are considering diversifying.

The following activities have been suggested as possible sources of income:

• Livery/training/riding school facilities;
• Toll rides or trails;
• Cross-country courses for hire by the hour;
• Bed and breakfast holidays plus use of stable/livery facilities; and
• On-farm equestrian shops;
• Transportation; and
• Hay/haylage production, forage.

Integration of such activities on a farm eg hay production from grassland which is then sold on to equestrian customers, allows for more efficient use of equipment - and better profit margins.

The equestrian industry offers rural jobs that can help sustain local agricultural enterprises eg by maintaining existing pastureland and crop production, keeping and using existing machinery and plant.

As a major land based industry, the equine industry offers a diverse range of workforce opportunities in the countryside:

• Agricultural skills, which can be maintained when traditional livestock production is reduced eg contract haymaking, land management, fencing;
• Skilled training and apprenticeships eg farriers, instructors, course builders, event organisers, breeders;
• Mobile services eg accounting, book-keeping, grooming, muck heap removal;
  and
• Opportunities for youth and mid-life training, including jobs offering a physical challenge.

The equestrian industry can help support and develop other skilled trades including plumbing, carpentry, eco-building etc that are essential for wider rural regeneration. There is a real synergy between the growing needs of the equestrian industry and general rural diversification.

The Wessex Ridgeway Leaderplus Project Proposal highlights the importance of the equestrian industry in supporting flexible, often home-based jobs for women and others in isolated communities. Similar problems and opportunities exist in the East Sussex Leaderplus area.

Riding can also generate new job opportunities as the industry develops eg:

• Indoor events (jumping, carriage-driving, gymkhanas);
• Escorted hacking;
• Special events eg pleasure rides, long distance events; and
• Daypack transport for equestrian tourists.

Riding can help sustain other rural services eg:

• Village shops and pubs;
• Other local businesses;
• Local food producers; and
• Local transport.

There are various training opportunities available in rural areas including private and government initiatives.