In partnership with Sheffield Hallam University and the Sport and Recreation Alliance, British Equestrian is pleased to release the findings of the first stage of their pioneering research project to determine the social value of equestrianism.
This ambitious study aims to highlight the extensive benefits equestrian activities bring to individuals and communities, showcasing the unique social impact of the sector. In February 2024, British Equestrian invited research partners to explore the impact of equestrian activities on physical health, mental wellbeing, personal development, community engagement, and social cohesion. Following a thorough screening process, 290 pieces of evidence were included for the final analysis. A significant portion of these focused on equine-assisted therapy and its transformative effects on participants.
Key findings
The literature review, aligned with Sport England’s Social Value model, identified compelling evidence of equestrianism’s positive contributions across five social outcome areas.
1. Physical health
- Equestrian activities, including riding and yard work, are classified as physical activity, improving cardiorespiratory function.
- Hippotherapy (the use of horse riding as a therapeutic or rehabilitative treatment) enhances motor functions such as balance, walking and posture, as well as reducing chronic pain.
2. Mental health
- Equestrianism benefits individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and substance abuse by providing a calming and therapeutic environment.
3. Subjective wellbeing
- Horse ownership and equine-assisted therapy contribute to higher satisfaction levels, reduced stress and improved quality of life.
- Caregivers of individuals with disabilities also reported enhanced wellbeing due to their participation in equestrian activities.
4. Individual development
- Volunteering in equestrian settings builds long-term skills, employability and confidence.
- Equestrianism fosters prosocial behaviour and boosts self-esteem, although competitive settings can sometimes challenge confidence.
5. Social and community development
- Engagement with equestrian activities improves communication skills in neurodivergent individuals and those with dementia.
- Equestrianism helps participants develop strong community bonds through shared passions and experiences.
The research findings closely align with the government’s Get Active strategy and the health outcomes it seeks to achieve. The Federation works to support the goals of increasing activity levels and improving physical and mental health across the population and the report highlights the unique social impacts equestrianism offers in addition to the national model. Due to the involvement of horses, it’s one of only a few types of physical activity to have the therapeutic benefits of animal assisted therapy.
Furthermore, these findings highlight how important it is that the 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.”
View the full findings of Stage one: Social value literature review here: BEF Social Value Full Report
