What is the social impact of equestrianism?
That’s a key question in this era of Social License to Operate; that is, public acceptance of horse sports. The answers are even more important.
British Equestrian, Great Britain’s national federation for horse sports in Great Britain, is involved with a major research project on the subject, which could become a model for other countries — many of which, including the U.S., are grappling with the same situation.
BE’s partner in its work is State of Life, which specializes in measuring and demonstrating the social and economic value created by various organizations. Sad that horse sports have to be justified these days, but that’s the case
The effort, which started with a research phase in 2024, has moved on to investigate the social value of equestrianism.
State of Life has worked with several sports and community organizations to provide in-depth analysis of their social impact. They are involved with developing a new national model dealing with the social value of sport and physical activity for Sport England. The government is seeking to estimate the contribution of community sport and physical activity to health and well-being in the country.
In the first phase, equestrian activities were proven to have benefits ranging from the social value outcomes of physical and mental health and subjective wellbeing, to individual, social and community development.
Examples: riding, stable work and hippotherapy contribute to fitness and rehabilitation, while equine-assisted therapy provides therapeutic support for those with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Engaging in equestrian activities has demonstrated an increase in confidence, employability and social connections, strengthening both individuals and communities.
Stage two will take this research to the next level, calculating the monetary worth of equestrian social value. It will demonstrate the way equestrian activity can be a vital contributor to public health, aligning with a government “Get Active” strategy. The findings will enable BE and its affiliates to showcase the industry’s impact on people’s lives across the United Kingdom, shape future strategies with data-driven insights (otherwise known as evidence), advocate for equestrianism’s unique benefits and strengthen investment and strategic partnerships.
Abigail Bevan, Insight and Research Manager at British Equestrian, noted, “We’re excited to measure the tangible impact of equestrianism, following the gathering of research, which has proven the vast benefits our sector provides to the community, by encouraging people to spend time in outdoor spaces, connecting with nature, creating friendships and enjoying partnerships with our incredible horses.”