Written by Administrator | 04 June 2010

As compared with other areas of the agricultural sector or the leisure trade, the horse industry is more diverse or varied. Its activities range from professional usage to leisure. And in between, professional horse riders and enthusiasts split their interests between earning some profit and purely for leisure activity.

 

The horse industry consists of two parts:

1. Core activities – pertains to the ownership or possession and the use of horses. It caters directly to the needs of consumers and the activities are directed toward professional horse riders like commercial breeding, dressage, show jumping and other affiliated sports, racing and training. As for activities that are leisure-oriented, they include riding lessons, tourist attractions and trekking.
2. Providers to the core – refers to the supply of horse related goods or services for the core activities mentioned above. Examples of these are livery yards, feed supply, veterinary services and others.

Both components offer employment to many people, especially in the rural communities.

Scope and Size of the Horse Industry

Present survey reveals that an estimated 4.3 M people have ridden a horse at least one time in the past 12 months. This shows an increasing popularity of horse riding since the 1999 survey gave the number at 2.4 M riders.

In the list of leisure and sports activities, horse riding ranks 35th behind gymnastics and sailing but it is more popular than sailing, fishing or rowing. Horseracing, on the other hand, ranks 20th, only one place behind golf, more popular than rugby and skiing.

Percentage of Population

Figures reveal that a much higher percentage of the British population rides horses than was on record in 1999; currently 7% of the population have ridden compared to the previous 4.5%. Thus, the business of servicing the riders is more in demand. In fact, the total number of businesses engaged in horse riders' needs and services is estimated to 23,000 in Britain today.

Regular Horse Riding

The frequency of horse riding has also risen significantly. The number of riders that ride at least once a month grew to 2.1 million from 1.4 million. It has increased by nearly 50%. Results also show that horse riding seems not to be affected by seasons. Presently, over 90% of riders appear to ride horses all year round – as compared to 60% in 1995 and 77% in 1999. This also ensures that employment related to horse riding is no longer seasonal but permanent, with a need to train more employees to a greater level of capability and professionalism.

Population of Horses

The new survey brings Britain on top of the list of the highest number of horses in Europe with a total number of 1.3 million. This includes all horses, whether kept in professional firms or owned by consumers. Survey also indicates that the number of British households that own horses went up to 3% in 2006 from 2.2% in 1999.

Again, the more number of horses, the higher the need for workers to support the horse industry in the form of feed suppliers, farriers, groom and veterinary services.

Horse related Expenses (Private)

A survey was conducted to estimate what horse owners spend on maintaining their horses. Direct expenses include the amount spent for the care and upkeep of horses – accommodation, food, healthcare, insurance and equipment – totalling to £2.6 billion or €3.7b. This amount shows that the amount needed to maintain a horse for one year, €3,100, is as much amount needed to buy one. The largest amount of expenses is for the farriery, healthcare, insurance, grooming products, training and competition fees. On the other hand, the highest contraction on expenses were the transportation as well as stud fees.

Additionally, indirect expenses covering rider related costs like footwear, clothing and accessories amount to £409m or €589m. Riding lessons cost £732m or €1b. These amounts show the total economic value for the horse sector.

Economic Value of the Horse Industry

Estimated consumer expenses is now about £4.3b per annum mark, or €6.1b, inclusive of costs related to owning and riding. This figure, however, does not include the expenditure and income related to horse betting and racing. This is equivalent to the yearly expenses of more than £2,000 or €2,800 per horse.

There is a significant increase in the contribution of the horse industry to the economy of the country. Many sectors have acknowledged this as evidenced by a subsequent increase in the number of companies turning into the equine industry in the agricultural sector as well as in other related areas.