The limitations of available
data make it difficult to say with any confidence what the
industry is worth. The
research showed that the horse industrys gross output3 is
approximately £3.4 billion,
but this figure is not very reliable. Further research would
be needed if we wished
to arrive at a more reliable figure.
Other estimates derived
from existing data are:
-
the horse industry employs 50,000 people directly.
-
It employs an
additional 100,000-200,000
people indirectly;
-
2.4 million people ride;
-
5 million people
have an active interest in the horse industry;
-
11 million
people have some interest in the industry, including watching horse racing on television; and
-
there are between 600,000 and just under a million horses.
3
In simple terms, this is the market value of total sales of horse-related goods and services produced in Great Britain each year. To give an example, gross output in the car manufacturing
industry is what people spend on buying cars and spare parts; gross value added (or GVA) is gross output minus what the car
industry buys in from other industries. This is the more useful figure in determining what an industry is worth because it
equals the incomes directly earned within it. Unfortunately, we do not have the necessary information to give the GVA of the
horse industry.
