Use our industry guide to find key background information, market research, import and export guidelines, statistics, legislation, trade bodies and trade publications.
The Business & Industry Guides series is produced by the Library & Information Service for ICAEW members and ACA students.
We can compile tailored key players reports, mailing lists, market reports, benchmarking reports and industry news. Our enquiry team can also research other industry-specific information, such as taxation, for you. Call us on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or email library@icaew.com.
Trends and forecasts
Online articles
The library provides full access to articles from leading business, finance and management journals.
Access to articles is provided subject to suppliers’ terms of use.
Market research
Some free information is available from Mintel market research specialists, ranging from industry news to executive summaries of the reports.
Industry news
Need to find the latest news on this industry sector? We can carry out industry news searches using a range of trade titles and general business sources through our databases. To discuss your requirements, please contact the enquiry team on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or at library@icaew.com.
Statistics on the UK
British Horse Society
The British Horse Society compiles a comprehensive summary of equestrian statistics covering:
- general figures on horse activity and ownership in the UK
- international equestrian competition
- national societies and associations
- horseracing
- equestrian trades
- legislation
- equestrian events
- off-road riding and carriage driving
- road accidents.
Office for National Statistics
The Annual Business Survey (ABS) from the Office for National Statistics collects financial information covering UK production, construction, distribution and service industries. Statistics available include:
- number of enterprises;
- total turnover;
- approximate gross value added at basic prices;
- total purchases of goods, materials and services;
- total employment costs;
- total net capital expenditure;
- total net capital expenditure – acquisitions;
- total net capital expenditure – disposals;
- total stocks and work in progress – value at end of year;
- total stocks and work in progress – value at beginning of year;
- total stocks and work in progress – increase during year.
The dataset Non-financial business economy, UK: Sections A to S includes statistics for:
- Sports and recreation education (85.51)
See Section P: Education
Employment
UK
The Office for National Statistics publication Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) includes average employment costs within this sector which can be found in Table 14. Average employment costs are provided for full-time employees, part-time employees and all employees.
The data includes average employment costs for:
- managers in animal husbandry, forestry and fishing;
- animal care occupations;
- veterinarians;
- veterinary services.
The annual Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES), published by the Office for National Statistics, includes total employee and employment estimates for different industries for Great Britain and the UK. Figures are broken down to show full-time/part-time and public/private splits. The dataset Industry – Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES): Table 2 includes statistics for:
- Raising of horses and other equines (01430)
- Sports and recreation education (85510)
Other regions
Please see individual country profile pages for links to sources of national statistics.
Legislation and regulation
UK
GOV.UK provides some guidance on the main legislation applicable to various sectors, including keeping horses on farms, for both agricultural and non-agricultural business.
Export horses and ponies: special rules
Guidance published by GOV.UK on exporting horses and other equines (including ponies and donkeys) from the UK
Getting and using a horse passport
Guidance published by GOV.UK on importing or exporting horses and other equines and obtaining a horse passport.
The British Horse Society offers Free leaflets and downloadable resources.
Import and export
Trade Tariff
The Trade Tariff is a useful Gov.uk database listing tax, duties and licenses for the import and export of goods between the UK and other countries. The database is searchable by product or commodity code and results can be filtered by date and country. Information also includes links to relevant conditions and regulations.
See import and export information for:
UK business guides
Croner-i Business Focus
Business Focus is a resource that provides practical information on many small business trades and sectors. Its Business Opportunity Profiles offer detailed insights into market conditions, legal issues and the trading environment for a range of businesses. They include:
- Blacksmith
- Horseriding school
- Livery yard
- Tack shop
Mini Business Opportunity Profiles are also available and provide a general introduction to more niche business areas, including:
- B&B for horses
- Equine massage therapist
- Farrier
To find out more about Business Focus, please contact our enquiry team on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or at library@icaew.com.
Atom Content Marketing guides
The Start Up Donut from Atom Content Marketing provides practical information on starting up and running a number of small business types. Guides cover a range of areas including market research, current trends, regulations, products and services, promotion and pricing. They include:
UK key players, ratios and trends
We can produce reports on this sector using selected information from the FAME company database. Reports are available for:
- Companies in the equine industry – includes activities of racehorse owners and companies with a business activity or trade description which references bloodstock, equine, equestrian, racehorse or horse activities outside of gambling, betting and insurance.
Summaries of the three types of report we can produce are given below. You can find further information, a sample report, pricing details and an online order form on our industry sector reports page.
We also operate a bespoke reports service with results tailored to your specifications. Please contact our enquiry team on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or at library@icaew.com to discuss your requirements.
Key players report
Our key players report looks at the top companies (by turnover) in any one of the segments within this sector. Reports usually include the top 100 companies but in more specialised sectors with fewer than 100 companies we show all companies with disclosed figures. The reports provide data on 11 comparative fields for the last available year, including:
- turnover;
- profit margins;
- returns on shareholder funds;
- solvency ratios
- number of employees.
Our reports enable easy comparison of the top companies in this sector against each other and against the sector median, average and standard deviation in each of the 11 fields.
Mailing list
A separate mailing list report is also available with address and contact details for the top companies in any of the segments within this sector.
Market reports
Our market reports look at the aggregated data for the top companies (by turnover) for any of the segments within this sector across all the fields usually found in a company report. The reports include data for the last 10 years* and enables easy comparison of trends for the whole sector. Reports usually include the top 100 companies but in more specialised sectors with fewer than 100 companies we show all companies with disclosed figures.
*Please note the number of companies for which data is aggregated will vary for any given year.
The market reports include sections on:
- key financials and employees;
- profit and loss account;
- balance sheet;
- cash flow statement;
- financial ratios;
- financial trends and changes;
- profitability trends and changes.
UK benchmarking
We offer benchmarking reports that can be used to inform your own business strategy or help you identify value-added services to offer to your clients.
Contact the enquiry team directly on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or at library@icaew.com for a report tailored to your own specific requirements.
Trade journals and publications
Trade journals, B2B magazines and specialist consumer magazines are another useful source of news and statistics.
- Equestrian Index – online directory of equestrian businesses covering a wide range of organisations
- Equestrian Life
- Equine Business Guide – handbook focusing on business management and costings for equine enterprises
- Forge and Farrier
- Horse and Hound
Trade bodies
The websites of trade bodies in this sector are a useful source of industry overviews, contacts and statistics.
UK
- British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)
- British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA)
- British Horseracing Authority
- British Horse Society
- Farriers Registration Council
- Federation of Bloodstock Agents
- Thoroughbred Breeders' Association
- National Association of Farriers, Blacksmiths and Agricultural Engineers (NAFBAE)
- Racecourse Association (RCA)
- Society of Master Saddlers
Europe
- European Equestrian Federation (EEF)
- European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA)
Americas
Asia
Oceania
- Australian Farriers and Blacksmiths Association (AFBA)
- Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC)
- New Zealand Farriers Association (NZFA)
Global
- Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI)
- International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)
- World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA)
The FEI produces an annual directory of member organisations and national associations for equestrian sport.
The IFHA has a comprehensive list of links to member bodies, horse racing industry and press websites and to relevant government agencies.
WEVA provides links to its member associations, listing major equine veterinarian bodies internationally.
Further reading
Articles and books in the Library collection
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to book loans.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports by post or email through our document supply service.
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