European
Horse
Network

34 organisations active in all
Equine-related activities

Logo European Horse Network
Logo European Horse Network

THE EQUINE INDUSTRY IN EUROPE

  • 100+ billion euros a year economic impact
  • 400 000 full-time equivalent jobs provided by the sector
  • 6 million or more horses in Europe
  • 6 million hectares of permanent grassland given over to Equestrian horse grazing
  • Global in hosting Equestrian competitions, in horseracing and breeding

WHAT WE STAND FOR

  • Keeping equines is an agricultural activity and enhancing its green assets
  • The equine sector features rural, young and feminised employment, where jobs combine passion, female leadership and physical mental health benefits,
  • Humans enjoy an extraordinary relationship with equids, which can answer to needs of society (health, inclusion, sport for all, including for people with disabilities).
  • Equine Welfare from breeding to end of life, is at the centre of our activities,
  • Equestrianism and horses are part of the European cultural identity, with state studs national equestrian schools across the EU
  • Equestrian tourism is an exemplar of 'slow tourism' respecting biodiversity.
  • In many equine sectors, such as horseracing breeding, Europe is preeminent, leading to benefits of trade, reputation and soft power.

OUR NEEDS

  • Help the European equine sector by restoring coherence between the animal welfare strategy (transport and kept animals regulations), the Animal Health Law (including Equine identification and registration rules) and the trade policy;
  • Respect the specific Status for equine animals in Europe – Equine animals are agricultural animals and need updated and reliable European statistics;
  • Supporting and providing funding to address research gaps in our knowledge/understanding of equines (including behaviour) that will improve equine welfare;
  • Support the dissemination of information on equine matters that is evidence-based;
  • Defend the promotion of Good Employment throughout the industry;
  • Support European projects on innovation, integrity, culture, training and employment to propose new tools and objective results and data.