National Inclusion Week takes place from 14–20 September 2026, providing an opportunity to recognise the importance of inclusion and consider how organisations can create environments where everyone feels valued, respected and able to participate.
Run by Inclusive Employers, National Inclusion Week is an annual UK-wide event designed to encourage organisations to celebrate inclusion, raise awareness and take practical steps towards creating more inclusive workplaces and communities.
For the equestrian industry, the message is particularly relevant. Horses and equestrian activities can offer significant opportunities for wellbeing, social connection, confidence and participation — but ensuring those opportunities are genuinely accessible means understanding and addressing the barriers that different people can face.
Horses Are For All
This is the thinking behind British Equestrian’s Horses For All strategy, launched in 2023 following research into the experiences of underrepresented communities within equestrianism.
The strategy sets out a long-term commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible equestrian community, where people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to participate and feel valued. British Equestrian’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan provides the roadmap for putting that ambition into practice across the federation and its member bodies.
That work has continued to develop, and in February 2026 British Equestrian launched a new series of five short animated educational resources designed to help people across the equestrian community better understand inclusion and create more welcoming environments.
Five short animations, practical messages
Developed with Tinmouse, with funding from Sport England and The Worshipful Company of Saddlers, the animations are designed for a wide audience — including organisation owners, staff, volunteers, participants and parents.
The five topics are:
- Introduction to EDI – understanding equity, diversity and inclusion
- Planning with everyone in mind – considering different needs when planning activities and services
- Banter and microaggressions – recognising behaviour that can make people feel excluded
- Active bystander and allyship – understanding how individuals can support others and challenge inappropriate behaviour
- Anti-racism – recognising and actively challenging racism and unfair treatment.
Each animation follows a simple Recognise, Reflect, Reframe approach, encouraging viewers not just to understand an issue but to consider how they can respond differently and help create more inclusive environments.
What does this mean for yards and riding schools?
Inclusion isn’t only something for large organisations, governing bodies or professional sports. It can be considered at every level of equestrianism.
For livery yards, riding schools, coaches, clubs and other equestrian businesses, that might mean looking at how welcoming your facilities and communications are, considering different people’s needs when planning activities, thinking about accessibility, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable raising concerns or asking for support.
It can also be as simple as taking the time to understand that not everyone experiences an equestrian environment in the same way.
British Equestrian’s latest Horses For All update, published in July 2026, highlights continued work across the federation, including EDI training, improved diversity data collection, strengthened anti-discrimination policies and the development of the new inclusive animation resources.
The organisation also recognises that there is still more work to do. Inclusion isn’t a one-off initiative; it requires ongoing consideration, education and action.
A useful resource for the whole equestrian community
National Inclusion Week is a useful reminder that creating an inclusive environment isn’t simply about having good intentions. It is about understanding the experiences and needs of others and considering what practical changes can make participation more welcoming.
The Horses For All animations provide a straightforward starting point for anyone involved in equestrianism — whether you’re running a yard, managing a riding school, coaching, volunteering or simply taking part.
Because ultimately, the message behind Horses For All is a simple one:
Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the benefits of horses.
And creating a truly welcoming equestrian community is something that everyone involved in the industry can play a part in.
Watch the British Equestrian Horses For All animation series and find out more about building a more inclusive equestrian community.