6 Ways the Sport is Improving its Accessibility - Horse & Country Guest Blog
While equestrianism used to be considered an activity for the privileged few who were able to afford it, it's now becoming more visible and accessible for wider audiences.
In this article, Katie Allen-Clarke from Horse and Country explains how the equestrian lifestyle is starting to become more accessible.
It's easy to see why horse riding is often considered to be an activity only the wealthy can partake in. There are many high costs involved - from the stabling and livery fees to the equipment, and of course the cost of keeping and feeding the horse themselves. In fact, the average cost for livery alone is £248.11 a month, making horses one of the most expensive animals to own (Horse FactBook).
However, the good news is that the world of horse riding has changed a lot over the years, and equestrianism is now starting to become more accessible. Whether you don't have the time or resources for horse ownership yourself, or have a disability which makes it difficult to care for the animal, it should still be easier than ever for you to give horse riding a go. Still unsure about just how accessible equestrianism is? Here are six changes which have made it easier for more people to enjoy horse riding than ever before.
More inner-city horse riding opportunities
When people think about horse riders, they often picture them living in the middle of the countryside, with a large field for their horse to roam in. And while horse riding is still practiced often in the countryside, it's very popular in cities now too. There are a number of stables in urban locations for inner city dwellers to enjoy. In fact, a number of the best stables in the UK can be found very close to cities, or even within the city (Country & Town House).
Inner-city stables are great at opening the world of equestrianism up to a whole new demographic, who may not have considered themselves to be interested in horses before. Plus, inner-city children have been found to particularly benefit from these stables, and some have even been inspired to take up careers working with animals (The Face).
Higher availability of pre-owned equipment
There are a number of expenses when it comes to owning a horse, but one of the most significant of these is equipment. From saddles to horse rugs, there are so many pieces of equipment needed to ride and look after a horse, so it's no surprise that this expense can prevent people from owning a horse of their own, or even getting riding lessons.
However, the good news is that it's now much easier to access pre-owned equipment. Buying pre-owned can significantly slash the price tag of the equipment, making it much more accessible for people with smaller budgets. If you're on the lookout for pre-owned equipment, make sure to check out sites like On The Hoof and Preloved.
The rise of equine therapy
Equine therapy allows people to spend time with horses, and work with the animal, a therapist, and a horse expert to figure out solutions to difficult challenges. As horses are able to mirror behaviours and communicate non-verbally, they're considered to be great therapy animals. Equine therapy can be used to help a range of conditions, including anxiety, ADHD, and addiction. It has become increasingly popular in the UK, and is now more accessible for people across the country (Counselling Directory).
Not only is equine therapy beneficial for a range of health conditions, but it’s accessible too. As the therapy has been found to be effective in treating mobility issues, it isn't just able-bodied people who get to enjoy spending time with the horses (ScienceDaily). And the therapy can often be accessed for free through either charities or sometimes the NHS, making it suitable for every budget.
Horse charities
Any horse lover knows just how expensive the animals can be. Even if you don't own your own horse, the cost of riding lessons alone can be pricey, meaning that for a long time they haven't been an option for people on low-incomes. However, the good news is that there are a number of horse riding charities which make equestrianism more accessible.
There are a variety of charities which allow people from low-income backgrounds to have free horse riding lessons if they are looking to give it a go. As well as this, there are also equine therapy charities which allow people living with a range of both physical and mental conditions to access sessions for free.
Volunteering opportunities
Looking for a way to spend time with horses for free and do a good deed at the same time? If so, you're in luck, as there are a number of ways you can volunteer with horses. Not only is volunteering with these loving creatures a great way to spend your spare time, but it's accessible for the vast majority of people, too. It allows people who can't own a horse of their own to spend time with them, and some stables even offer free riding lessons to volunteers in exchange for their time.
There are a number of ways to volunteer with horses, so you shouldn't be short of options. One great way to do it is to volunteer for an equine charity or a horse sanctuary. This type of volunteering usually involves horse maintenance, such as feeding, grooming, and mucking out. For larger organisations, there may also be the chance for volunteers to use their existing skills too — for example; managing a sanctuary’s social media pages, assisting with graphic design or even responding to enquiries.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to get involved with the sport side of equestrianism, you can also volunteer at horse shows and competitions. This usually isn't volunteering with the horses directly, as it often involves stewarding, writing for judges or manning information desks, catering stalls or even the car park. Taking part in the event by doing these vital tasks gives volunteers the opportunity to see the horses in the show, contribute to a community they would like to be a part of, and potentially get offers of lessons or learning opportunities, in return. If you’re looking for a chance to volunteer, take a look at your local venues or event websites, and get in touch with the event organisers themselves for more details.
Equestrian TV
Not only has spending time with horses in person become more accessible than ever before, but everyone has the opportunity to easily view horses on a screen too. Specialist TV channels give horse-lovers the opportunity to see shows about their favourite animals and watch them compete without having to worry about the expense of taking care of a horse. Plus, being able to stream horse content from the comfort of your own home allows you to watch them without getting cold and wet!
If you’re interested in viewing equestrian content, Horse & Country gives everyone access to equestrianism through our linear streams — H&C FREE (available worldwide online) and H&C+ (available worldwide through web, apps & relevant 3rd party apps).