New research highlights the social value of equestrianism

British Equestrian has unveiled the initial findings of a pioneering study exploring the social value of equestrianism. For the first time, analysis shows that horse ownership as well as equine assisted therapy contributes to improved quality of life. And if that’s not a reason to increase your equine herd, or at the very least escape to the yard for a bit longer each weekend, what is?!

The study forms part of an ambitious project to quantify equestrianism’s contributions to public health, personal development, and community cohesion. Following a competitive selection process, Sheffield Hallam University and the Sport and Recreation Alliance were chosen to conduct the research.

A comprehensive review of equestrianism’s impact

The research team undertook an extensive review of existing literature, with the findings highlighting key benefits across five core areas:

1. Physical health – riding and yard work provide significant physical activity, improving cardiovascular fitness. Hippotherapy, which is the use of horse riding as a therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment, has been shown to enhance balance, posture, and mobility, as well as alleviate chronic pain.
2. Mental health – equestrianism offers therapeutic benefits for individuals experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders.
3. Subjective wellbeing – horse ownership and equine-assisted therapy contribute to improved quality of life, reduced stress, and increased overall satisfaction. Carers of individuals with disabilities also report enhanced wellbeing.
4. Individual development – volunteering and participation in equestrian settings build valuable skills, boost employability, and foster self-confidence. However, competition settings can sometimes challenge self-esteem.
5. Social and community development – equestrianism strengthens community bonds, improves communication skills in neurodivergent individuals, and provides positive engagement for people living with dementia.

Mandana Mehran-Pour, Head of Participation and Development at British Equestrian, commented, “These findings highlight the transformative impact equestrian activities have on individuals and communities across the UK, contributing to physical health, mental wellbeing and social development. The wealth of research we’ve gathered demonstrates the vital role equestrianism plays in enhancing quality of life.

“One of the unique strengths highlighted in this review is the exceptional benefit equestrian activities offer to neurodivergent individuals and those with disabilities. This evidence sets equestrianism’s position as a truly inclusive and therapeutic sport, our next steps will be to quantify this social value to reinforce its importance in public health and community support.”

Abigail Bevan, Insight and Research Manager at British Equestrian, added, “It’s inspiring to bring together such a wealth of research that showcases the profound role equestrianism plays in improving lives. We’re grateful to Sheffield Hallam University and the Sport and Recreation Alliance for their expertise and dedication to this project.”

Professor Simon Shibli, Director of the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University said, “We were pleased to have the opportunity to work with the British Equestrian team on this pioneering research. The volume and quality of literature we found were staggering and now provide a sound basis for deriving the social value of equestrianism.”

Lisa Wainwright MBE, Chief Executive Officer at Sport and Recreation Alliance continues, “The findings demonstrate how important the role that equestrianism plays when it comes to making those who access it healthier and happier. The variety of ways in which equestrian activities can help participants, from improved wellbeing to better physical health, cements its vital role within the sport and recreation sector. Furthermore, these findings highlight how important it is that the sport and recreation sector is able to offer a variety of activities – having a number of clubs and organisations that cater to a wide range of interests and skill levels helps to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all.”

Next steps for the project

Following the literature review, the next phase of the study will focus on measuring the tangible social value of equestrianism, ensuring it is recognised as a key contributor to the government’s Get Active strategy. The findings will help British Equestrian and its affiliated organisations to…

• measure the equestrian industry’s impact on public health and wellbeing.
• inform future strategic direction and policy-making.
• advocate for investment in equestrian activities.
• strengthen partnerships within the sport and recreation sector.

The second stage of research is now underway, with results expected later this year.