On the eve of the start of the school year and the resumption of sports events, equestrian centers are facing another puzzle: finding horses and ponies at an affordable price.
The problem has been exacerbated since the pandemic as sales prices have exploded. “We have five horses that retired this summer, we’re trying to replace them all, but we’re still one horse short for the start of the school year.” explains Amelie Vanbezelere, instructor at the Bois Brule Equestrian Center in the Pays de la Loire.
Several accompanying factors explain this rapid inflation. Since 2010, the market for French horses has shrunk significantly, while demand continues to grow. The latest figures from the Equine Economic and Social Observatory (OESC) put the number of horses nationally at just over 1 million at the end of 2020.
All equestrian centers look at the same time and want the same thing: horses or ponies already broken, easy and versatile.
Amélie Vanbecelaere, Bois brûlé equestrian center instructor
However, births continue to decline (-16% between 2010 and 2021), while the horse population is aging…
Source: Le Figaro
