Introduction

• The average owner spends £14,000 just keeping the horse alive
• British Horse Confederation - launched in 1999 to represent the equine industry with a single, united voice within government policy
• The Henley Centre Report (2004) - main aims were to identify the 'horse industry' and the contribution the industry makes, and the key issues the equine industry is likely to face in the following 10 years
• The British Horse Council - In March 2018, the Equine Sector Council for Health & Welfare and the BHIC joined to form organisation. The new unified voice to speak with government departments. 
• Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales (2005) - Had 8 key aims including increasing access to off-road hacking, boosting economic performance of equestrian businesses and raising equestrian skills and training standards
• The equine industry contributes £9 billion to the UK economy eac year
• There are 331,000 horse-owning households in the UK
• 1.82 million people ride on a regular basis
• There are approximately 726,000 horses and ponies in the UK
• 40% of the UK's regular riders are between 25-44 years old.
• According to the British Equestrian Trade Association National Equestrian Survey 2023, 78% of equestrians expected the cost of living crisis to impact them.