Gloucestershire's horseriding sector could be saddling up for a more assured economic future, according to new research into a growing online interest in learning to ride.

But a Forest of Dean riding school warns that economic pressures are reining in the tourism and social potential of this leisure activity for the county - and leading schools and livery yards to the brink of closure.

New research of online activity found searches in the UK for 'horse riding lessons' have spiked by a staggering 3,025% since May 1, a trend that coincides with the approaching Bank Holiday and increasing consumer focus on summer holiday activities.

But Hayley Howells, who set up Redbrook Equestrian on the edge of the Forest of Dean in 2007, said the harsh economics of any horse business spell fragile profits.

Hayley, who is the only specialist in an approach known as Connected Riding in the UK specialises in a teaching system known as TTeam-Connect to improve posture, function and awareness.

She said: "We are seeing really good demand for horse riding lessons and livery is at capacity, but the running costs in this nature of business remain brutal."

Hay and straw remain as high as when warnings were issued, as reported in Punchline-Gloucester.com last autumn, while farrier costs are another key challenge.

She said: "For specific analysis of how people ride, we have a mechanical horse simulator, which we joke about having no feed bill, no shoeing costs, but that is just one element."

She added: "I employ two full-time staff at the moment and one is an apprentice; we see an influx of new business from people visiting the area for holidays and, for full livery, prices start at £60 per week upwards. The key challenge in livery is that people want to go via a DIY route and not pay for certain elements, but all the components of what livery involves mean that the input easily exceeds any profit."

She added: "We saw a big riding school in Abergavenny close recently – leaving a 20-mile hole in the map for anyone seeking lessons. People could work for you in the past on the basis of equine experience, but the rules on the minimum wage came into play. Every January, interest spikes because of new year resolutions, but that's when we are also hit by rising insurance. I often say to myself that's it, but I guess a career with horses is about the relationship with the animals, not profit."

The British Horse Society (BHS) works with the equine industry to raise awareness of the value of human contact with horses. Its most recent research shows that horse activities engage a high proportion of people with disabilities, women participants and participants over the age of 45.

The BHS said: "Nearly 40% of those taking part do not participate in other forms of physical activity. All these factors are very important in recognising that equestrianism is vital to the health of a significant section of the population which is known to be at risk."

Hayley, who tailor-makes activity to connect children with anxiety and social issues with horses at the centre, says this work is often unappreciated and can achieve amazing results.

She said: "We had one boy come to us who was non-verbal and had never spoken to his father. Over time, when he made a connection to the horse, he began to talk and he is now verbal. There is something in the mix with time with horses that can be magical."

● Equine charity the British Horse Society has voiced broad concern that the cost-of-living crisis is hitting riding schools and livery yards "particularly hard". Since 2018, it says it has seen 250 riding schools close across the UK. The charity is in direct contact with BHS-approved centres to offer one-to-one advice and support. To date, it has supported more than 350 riding schools.