Equine Industry in Crisis with Many Riding Centres Under Threat
- Horse riding lessons in England remain banned under COVID-19 lockdown restrictions
- Middlesex and Hertfordshire have an abundance of riding centres, many of which are at breaking point – having lost as much as 90% of their income due to closure
- Unlike other small businesses, outgoings at riding centres have not reduced during lockdown and winter brings greater costs
- Many centres are having to downsize or face closure, whilst some are desperately trying to fundraise
Despite being an outdoor activity, and one where participants are always at a minimum 2 metre distance, public horse riding lessons in England are banned under lockdown.
Centres up and down the country are affected by this industry wide problem, but Greater London in particular serves a wide catchment – offering a rare chance for a connection with the countryside to those who all across the city.
The crux of the problem for riding centres is that, whilst income has been cut tremendously, running costs are hard to reduce. Staff cannot be easily furloughed, as they are still needed to look after the horses, and overheads have not reduced. Each horse costs around £100 a week to feed, house and exercise. Fees for vets, farriers, insurance and maintenance are all still required and winter brings additional challenges.
Sarah Dale, Business Development Manager from the British Horse Society, recently explained:
There’s not much grass in the fields and so much more in the way of bills with regards to bedding and feed.
One of Middlesex’s most popular centres is Littlebourne, on Northwood Way in Harefield. With 65 riding school horses, the centre normally runs lessons every day of the week, but has now not taught a class since before Christmas, and is struggling to make ends meet.
Ben Mitchell-Winter, General Manager of Littlebourne Equestrian Centre in Harefield explains:
In many ways the situation was easier during lockdown 1, because it was the summer. The warm, dry weather meant we were lucky enough to be growing our own hay and our horses could be out most of the time.
The winter months are very different. The rain, wind, mud and, in some cases snow, is very much against us. Most of our horses have to be stabled overnight now, particularly as we have a large number of older horses and ponies who simply wouldn’t survive in a field 24/7.
Our day to day costs have gone up. On top of vet and farrier visits, we are buying in more straw for stables and paying for hay externally. We also still need staff to look after our horses and facilities, so cannot furlough like other businesses. Overall winter is an expensive time, which we are having to cope with whilst our income is down over 85%.”
For residents in the home counties, many of whom work long ‘London hours’ and (in ordinary circumstances) deal with lengthy commutes, riding offers much needed downtime; but it is children who are missing out the most. Under 18s account for the majority of riders taking lessons – they are served by around 1800 riding school ponies in the UK at a cost of £180,000 a week to the centres who care for them.
The wellbeing benefits of being immersed in green space is well documented and riding provides a connection to the land and access to fields which is hugely valued by local communities, particularly those in areas which are more built up.
Young rider, Holly Fell, aged 11:
I miss riding so much, especially because I am home schooling at the moment and not able to see my friends. Being outdoors riding gets my mind off of things, which would be great right now as everything else feels so strange.”
Post lockdown, local areas could have vastly different future in terms of Equestrian services.
Family run centres like Littlebourne are now turning to riders, friends and family for financial support, but there is huge concern for the future of the industry.
Ben Mitchell-Winter comments:
I have friends who run centres up and down the country and the feeling is that many riding schools won’t come back from this, but my biggest concern, if we run out of funds, is for the welfare of the horses.”
If you would like to donate to help with the care of Littlebourne horses during lockdown, please visit JustGiving:
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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.