Riding schools in Lincolnshire under pressure with some forced to close
Figures reveal 7 have shut in the county in the last 5 years
Last updated 2nd Jun 2023
It's been revealed issues like the cost of living crisis is putting severe pressure on Lincolnshire's riding schools with some even been forced to close.
Figures show that seven in the county have shut in the last 5 years
The British Horse Society says nationally - one-and-a-half million horse riding lessons are being lost every year due to the closures.
We've spoken to the horse society's CEO James Hick.
There's been a rise in the cost of running a riding centre
He says: "More than 90 per cent of people first get the opportunity to ride a horse and get that unbelievable connection between horse and a human at that point in a riding school."
He says it can be particularly beneficial for children who are taken out of school.
"By going to a riding school it really allows them to develop their education and get them back onto the school curriculum and it's the connection with the horse that allows that to happen and if we lose that it's going to be devastating"
Covid has played a part
He spoke about the reasons for the difficulties.
"Some of it is likely to be the Covid but also there's a rise in the cost of running a riding centre."
"Another major issue is being able to access really good staff to train people."
"There are so many great jobs that are available and there's a really strong demand for people who want to learn so we would encourage people to go to a riding school, learn how to ride and then become a coach or do other work within the equestrian sector."