Horses in United Kingdom
United Kingdom had 760,529 horses in 2024, the 13th largest in the world (1.35% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 27%. The record was 850,000 head in 2023.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Animals, 2024
- 760,529 head
- World rank
- 13 of 143
- 10-year change
- +27%
- Record
- 850,000 head
- 2023
Horses in United Kingdom, 1961–2024 (head)
United Kingdom compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 1.4%
- 1.1% in 2014
- 10-year change
- +27%
- world +2.7%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Head | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Colombia | 964,426 | 1.7% |
| 12 | Sudan | 796,418 | 1.4% |
| 13 | United Kingdom | 760,529 | 1.4% |
| 14 | Peru | 751,041 | 1.3% |
| 15 | Mali | 644,989 | 1.1% |
Map of horses numbers by country
Share of the world total; United Kingdom is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Head | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 760,529 | −11% |
| 2023 | 850,000 | +19% |
| 2022 | 717,290 | +0.4% |
| 2021 | 714,298 | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 705,392 | −3.7% |
| 2019 | 732,180 | +3.8% |
| 2018 | 705,320 | +3.9% |
| 2017 | 678,676 | +4.1% |
| 2016 | 652,237 | +4.2% |
| 2015 | 625,993 | +4.5% |
| 2014 | 598,879 | +4.5% |
| 2013 | 573,293 | +4.7% |
| 2012 | 547,708 | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 522,285 | +5.1% |
| 2010 | 497,016 | +5.3% |
| 2009 | 471,895 | +5.6% |
| 2008 | 446,915 | +16% |
| 2007 | 384,000 | −1.0% |
| 2006 | 388,000 | +4.9% |
| 2005 | 370,000 | +5.7% |
| 2004 | 350,000 | +6.1% |
| 2003 | 330,000 | +3.1% |
| 2002 | 320,000 | +3.2% |
| 2001 | 310,000 | +3.3% |
| 2000 | 300,000 | +67% |
| 1999 | 180,000 | +1.1% |
| 1998 | 178,000 | +0.6% |
| 1997 | 177,000 | +0.6% |
| 1996 | 176,000 | +0.6% |
| 1995 | 175,000 | +0.6% |
| 1994 | 174,000 | +0.6% |
| 1993 | 173,000 | +0.6% |
| 1992 | 172,000 | +1.2% |
| 1991 | 170,000 | +0.6% |
| 1990 | 169,000 | +0.6% |
| 1989 | 168,000 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | 168,000 | +1.8% |
| 1987 | 165,000 | +1.2% |
| 1986 | 163,000 | −1.2% |
| 1985 | 165,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 165,000 | +1.2% |
| 1983 | 163,000 | +5.2% |
| 1982 | 155,000 | +3.3% |
| 1981 | 150,000 | +3.4% |
| 1980 | 145,000 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 145,000 | +2.1% |
| 1978 | 142,000 | +1.4% |
| 1977 | 140,000 | 0.0% |
| 1976 | 140,000 | −0.5% |
| 1975 | 140,650 | −0.0% |
| 1974 | 140,664 | −0.0% |
| 1973 | 140,668 | −0.0% |
| 1972 | 140,689 | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 140,681 | −2.8% |
| 1970 | 144,662 | −0.0% |
| 1969 | 144,674 | +2.8% |
| 1968 | 140,686 | −1.4% |
| 1967 | 142,642 | −1.4% |
| 1966 | 144,739 | −1.4% |
| 1965 | 146,763 | −1.4% |
| 1964 | 148,846 | −1.4% |
| 1963 | 150,919 | −1.3% |
| 1962 | 152,914 | −1.4% |
| 1961 | 155,035 | — |
Questions and answers
How many horses are there in United Kingdom?
United Kingdom had 760,529 horses in 2024, 1.4% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does United Kingdom rank in the world by number of horses?
United Kingdom ranked 13th of 143 countries in 2024. The largest herd was in Mexico with 11.4% of the world total.
How has the number of horses in United Kingdom changed?
It rose by 27% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +2.7% for the world. The record was 850,000 head in 2023.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2024 figure for United Kingdom is estimated by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.