Report - Section 5.4

5.4   Key findings/issues

• There are a number of social and environmental reasons why horses and horseriding activity in the countryside should be supported.
• With the prospect of surplus agricultural land, leisure uses are seen as a viable alternative or supplement to farm incomes. The equestrian industry creates new workforce opportunities for all levels of employment from manual and casual to professional and managerial.
• Equine activity can support the social structure of rural and isolated communities. Horse-riding can contribute to health, well being and quality of life without destroying the natural resource; as a leisure activity it creates awareness of, and appreciation for, the countryside environment. Horse-riding promotes opportunities for all sectors of society to enjoy the countryside.
• A combination of agri-environmental schemes, access schemes and anagement agreements can allow equine diversification to play a major part in protecting the existing landscape and bio-diversity. Keeping horses can support the retention of well managed pasture in the landscape and maintain the quality of the environment in a number of ways, including the production of a variety of crops. The equine industry helps retain land use for traditional rural activity.
• There are some important lessons to be drawn from the Horse Pasture Management Project. Advice notes could be produced and circulated.
• Providing new access opportunities offers an additional rationale for justifying environmental expenditure.