The new equine economy in the 21st century

From the time they became domesticated, horses have fulfilled roles imposed by human societies. Changing economies, societies and technologies have transformed the predominant roles held by horses in human life. They are now overwhelmingly employed in improving the quality of human life. Across Europe the status of the horse is evolving as ridership grows, and these changes create new economic opportunities for equine and rural enterprises. The 20 chapters focus on new or developing sectors of the equine economy through sections devoted to impact studies, economic opportunities, socio-economic challenges, social economy, governance issues, sustainable development, the case of horse meat and national reports about the horse in the national economies. The topics range from equine tourism, alternative medicine for competition horses, and the use of social media, through to what may be the most complete guide to the scientific production of horse meat to be published so far. Each chapter provides a glimpse of where the equine economy may go in the 21st Century, based upon the research of experts in their field. No one can predict the future, but the authors give us insight into some of the cutting edge trends which are shaping the nature of the equine world and producing the New Equine Economy of the 21st Century.