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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Horses play an integral role in the history and culture of the United Kingdom. So, it’s no surprise that nearly one million horses currently reside in the UK; however, horses and horse-related activity contributes £4 billion per year in economic value—a staggering number, all things considered.
Horses can be kept as pets, ridden by casual riders, or in clubs, and they’re regularly raced, bet on, and even used as service animals for disabled children.
The statistics we’ve gathered look at the number of horses in the UK and what they’re used for, as well as three stats about racing and training horses in the UK, how horse ownership affects the economy, four statistics about horse health, and what the statistics of accidents and deaths look like.
How Many Horses Are There in the UK? 19 Statistics
- As of 2019, there are 847,000 horses in the UK
- 374,000 households in the UK own at least one horse
- Horse-owners represent only 0.3% of all households in the UK
- Around 14,000 of the horses living in Britain in the UK are currently in training
- The average age of a horse residing in the UK is 13 years old
- 10,353 horse races were held in the UK by the British Horseracing Authority in 2021
- The average age of solo racehorse owners in the UK is 59.9 years
- There are 1.8 million regular riders in the UK
- Of the regular riders, the average rider rides 3.5 times a week in the UK
- The total equestrian sector in the UK is worth £4.7 billion
- Since 2010, 4429 road traffic incidents were reported to the British Horse Society
- From 2010 to 2022, there have been 43 horse-related human deaths reported to the BHS
- In the same time frame, 315 horse deaths have been reported to the BHS
- For a human fatality on the road, the total cost is around £1.8 million
- This figure is only £1,000 for a horse fatality
- 47.7% of horse owners concerned about their horses health said they were experienced owners
- 44.6% of owners surveyed described themselves as competing amateurs
- There are 600 reported outbreaks of strangles every year in the UK
- Between 2015 and 2019, 1617 cases of equine strangles were identified through laboratory testing
Number of Horses In the UK
1. As of 2019, there are 847,000 horses in the UK
(British Equestrian Trade Association)
Research conducted by the British Equestrian Trade Association in 2019 provided an insight into the number of horses kept in the UK. Compared to the 67 million humans residing in the United Kingdom, that figure doesn’t seem like much.
2. 374,000 households in the UK own at least one horse
(British Equestrian Trade Association)
The research by the BETA also tells us that 374,000 households own at least one horse in the UK.
3. Horse-owners represent only 0.3% of all households in the UK
(British Equestrian Trade Association)
Despite its relative popularity, horse (and pony) ownership only equates to around 0.3% of the total UK population. This number is so low possibly because of the time, space, and revenue horse ownership requires, which may not be accessible to much of the population.
Horse Racing and Training
4. Around 14,000 of the horses living in Britain in the UK are currently in training
(British Horseracing Authority)
The British Horseracing Authority states that as of 2022, there are 14000 horses residing in Britain that are in active training for both professional and hobby sports.
5. The average age of a horse residing in the UK is 13 years old
(British Equestrian Trade Association)
BETA surveyed horse owners in their 2019 survey and noted that the average age for all horses owned in the UK was 13 years old.
6. 10,353 horse races were held in the UK by the British Horseracing Authority in 2021
(British Horseracing Authority)
The British Horseracing Authority outlined in their 2022 report that over 10,000 races were run across the UK under them.
Horse Riding and Economy
7. The average age of solo racehorse owners in the UK is 59.9 years
(Statistica)
Statistica’s survey reports that the average age of people who own a racehorse entirely (as in not jointly owned with another person) in the UK is almost 60 years old. This is possibly due to the financial stability that this age range provides.
8. There are 1.8 million regular riders in the UK
(British Horse Society)
The BHS states that across the UK, 1.8 million people ride horses regularly (at least once a month) without a break. Interestingly, 55% of horse riders have taken at least one break from riding (according to the BETA report).
9. Of the regular riders, the average rider rides 3.5 times a week in the UK
(British Equestrian Trade Association)
Regular horse riders in the UK will go riding 3.5 times a week, according to BETA, with each ride lasting for an average of 52 minutes.
10. The total equestrian sector in the UK is worth £4.7 billion
(British Equestrian Trade Association)
The BETA 2019 report reveals that the total economic value of the equestrian sector in the UK (including consumer revenue from goods and services purchased) is £4.7 billion.
Deaths in the Equestrian Sector
11. Since 2010, 4,429 road traffic incidents were reported to the British Horse Society
(BHS)
The BHS reports that since 2010, nearly 4,500 road traffic incidents were reported by the public, using their reporting website.
12. From 2010 to 2022, there have been 43 human deaths reported to the BHS
(BHS)
From 2010 to 2022, 43 deaths attributed to riding horses were reported to the BHS, with the West Midlands alone seeing a 180% increase since 2021.
13. In the same time frame, 315 horse deaths have been reported to the BHS
(BHS)
Within the same 2010 to 2022 timeframe, over 300 horse deaths were reported to the BHS, attributed to road traffic accidents.
14. For a human fatality on the road, the total cost is around £1.8 million
(BHS)
The total cost of a human fatality caused by a road traffic accident is almost 2 million, with costs to other road users, road closures, costs to the National Health Service (NHS), costs to the emergency services and personal losses included.
15. This figure is only £1,000 for a horse fatality
(BHS)
Conversely, the cost of a horse fatality on the road is averaged at £1,000 at least, which covers the cost of the removal of the horse from the roadway and transport fees. However, this amount is likely much higher due to costs such as personal losses.
Horse Health in the UK
16. 47.7% of horse owners concerned about their horses health said they were experienced owners
(BEVA)
In a survey conducted by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), almost 50% of horse owners that were concerned about their horses’ health self-identified as being experienced in horse ownership. This may indicate owners less experienced may feel less concerned about the heath of their horses.
17. 44.6% of owners surveyed described themselves as competing amateurs
(BEVA)
In the same BEVA survey, 44.6% of horse owners described themselves as “competing amateurs”, meaning that they do compete in horse races, dressage or jumping competitively, but on an amateur level.
18. There are 600 reported outbreaks of strangles every year in the UK
(BHS)
A survey by the BHS on national horse health in the UK noted that there are 600 reported outbreaks of strangles (a devastating respiratory illness in horses) across the country every year.
19. Between 2015 and 2019, 1,617 cases of equine strangles were identified through laboratory testing
The British Veterinary Association (the BVA) keeps a close eye on strangles cases and reports on their findings; in a four year span, the BVA reports that 1617 cases of equine strangles were identified in labs across the UK, with many more likely never officially identified.
Frequently Asked Questions About Horses in the UK
Are Horse Riders Deterred by the Availability of Riding Centers in the UK?
The BETA report that 22% of riders in the UK are actively deterred from pursuing the sport due to inaccessibility of either horses or riding centers. (BETA)
Is Horse Riding Accessible to the Disabled Community in the UK?
There are entire groups dedicated to disabled access and benefit from interaction with horses. The Riding for the Disabled Association in the UK provides and facilitates access to horses for fitness, therapy, and skill development to 25,000 disabled adults and children in 500 riding centers across the country. (RDA)
What is the Level of Risk in British Horseracing?
In a statistics-backed report last updated in 2017, the BHA provides clear information and guidelines on the real risks of horseracing, with transparency about the risks to horses. It states that within the last 20 years, equine fatalities have fallen from 0.3% to 0.2%. (BHA)
How Many Horse Owners Breed Their Horses in the UK?
World Horse Welfare conducted a breeding survey of nearly 4000 horse owners in the UK. The stats show that almost a quarter of horse owners had bred their horses, producing 4129 foals overall. (WHW)
Is Horse Betting Popular in the UK?
In 2018, research conducted by Beating Betting concluded that 97.8% of people aged 18-54 in the UK would place a bet on horse racing, showing just how popular betting on the sport is. (BB)
Conclusion
The UK’s love of horses is apparent, with lots of carefully conducted research and statistics available to view. This transparency across all facets of horse ownership and racing offers a fascinating insight into the industry, and it shows how much horses mean to their owners, the veterinarians and nurses that specialize in their treatment, and the public that spur them on when watching them race.
- Also see: 6 Irish Horse Breeds (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: PJ-photography, Shutterstock
