The British Horse Society (BHS) reports that over 250 riding schools have closed across the UK since 2018, leaving approximately 1,497 still in operation—a 15% drop in four years. This decline equates to 1.5 million fewer riding lessons delivered annually, significantly reducing opportunities for the public to engage with horses and riding experiences.
As riding schools shut, access to equestrian experiences becomes more limited, particularly affecting children and adults who rely on lessons for entry into the sport:
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The BHS warns of a “supply and demand predicament.” Many centres report operating at just 75% capacity due to staff shortages, high costs, and limited availability of suitable horses (“horsepower”)
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Waiting lists are common. James Hick, BHS’s Chief Executive, notes that most centres have waiting lists of 50 or more clients, with demand outpacing available capacity
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The decline disproportionately affects communities with lower incomes or less historic involvement in riding. Riding schools traditionally offered accessible local options, which are now disappearing
To combat the decline, the equestrian sector has mobilised robust efforts in recent years such as the Keep Britain Riding Campaign (BHS), which was launched to safeguard the future of equestrian participation, raise awareness, funds, and support. BHS highlights not just the decline in riding schools but also the risk of losing the transformative horse/human connection, especially for children and disadvantaged groups. BHS is also ramping up diversity efforts through programs such as Changing Lives Through Horses (CLTH)—helping young individuals who are at risk of school exclusion or not in education or employment—and underscores how closures threaten their reach
Overall, the 2024 State of the Nation report shows a glimmer of optimism: 57% of riding centres express interest and capacity to grow, despite ongoing challenges. Many riding schools are also looking to secure their future by diversifying into new services that broaden their appeal and income streams. Increasingly, centres are offering equine-assisted therapy programmes, which use the horse–human connection to support wellbeing and mental health, as well as hosting residential riding holidays for both clients who bring their own horses and those who rely on the school’s horses. Others are expanding into livery services, giving horse owners reliable care and facilities, or developing into competition venues, running clinics and local shows that draw in wider participation. This diversification not only helps schools remain financially resilient but also strengthens their role as vibrant community hubs for a wide spectrum of equestrian activity.
The British Equestrian Federation (BEF), together with bodies like BHS, ABRS+, Pony Club, RDA, and horsescotland, is also tackling core challenges—staff shortages, rising costs, licensing, and capacity constraints. Key actions include development of skills, business support, marketing resources, fundraising and grants. They are also focusing heavily on financial viability of businesses, and how good client management and yard management can count towards these.
But urgent needs remain to sustain and revive riding participation in the UK.—including policy support, staffing investments, operational grants, and public awareness—to safeguard the future of equestrian access, particularly for youth and underserved communities.
On a broader level, riders and supporters can back these campaigns and initiatives, and fellow equestrian businesses can play their part too by collaborating rather than competing, offering discounts or sponsorship, running joint events, or supporting apprenticeships and instructor training. By working together, businesses, riders and communities can help riding schools not only survive but thrive, ensuring that access to horses remains open and affordable for future generations.