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Equestrian businesses in the UK—riding schools, livery yards, stud farms, rehabilitation centres and training yards—require specialist financial support. These operations often combine a mix of residential, agricultural, leisure and commercial activity, making traditional funding unsuitable or limited. That’s where Gable Asset Finance comes in: a leading provider of equestrian property finance, commercial mortgages, asset loans and development funding designed for the equine sector.
Whether you are purchasing an equestrian property, upgrading arenas, refinancing an existing yard or funding new stables, the right financial structure enables growth, stability and long-term sustainability. This guide breaks down the full range of equestrian finance options available and how UK equestrian businesses use them.
Financing for equestrian enterprises is often complex due to their mixed-use nature. Many properties combine commercial activity (e.g., livery income, lessons, competitions) with residential use and agricultural land. As a result, specialist lenders like Gable offer tailored financial products to meet these unique needs.
Equestrian mortgages are designed specifically for properties used for horse-related activities. These may include:
These mortgages can support:
Lenders typically consider income from equestrian business activity, land quality, property use and projected commercial demand when underwriting applications.
When the equestrian operations form the dominant business activity—such as a bustling livery yard or a BHS-approved riding school—a commercial mortgage is usually required. These mortgages offer:
Commercial mortgages can also help consolidate debt or release equity tied up in valuable land assets.
Equestrian businesses frequently rely on business loans for operational and growth-related expenses. These may include:
Loans can be secured (against property/equipment) or unsecured (based on credit and affordability).
Running an equestrian property involves significant investment in machinery, vehicles and equipment. Asset finance is one of the most cost-effective ways to spread these costs. Gable finances:
Asset finance preserves cashflow while ensuring the yard remains well-equipped and efficient.
Bridging loans are fast, flexible, short-term funding solutions that help equestrian businesses handle urgent financial needs such as:
Bridging finance is typically secured against property or land and is repaid when long-term funding is arranged.
Many equestrian properties evolve over time, with new facilities added to meet customer demand. Development finance can fund:
These projects often increase the value of the property while expanding earning potential.
The UK equestrian sector is broad and diverse. Gable provides tailored finance solutions for:
These centres often require:
Whether DIY, part, or full livery, yards rely on:
These operations often require:
Professional yards often finance:
Finance also applies to individuals purchasing rural homes with equestrian facilities for personal use or small-scale business activity.
Gable understands that equestrian property finance requires specialist knowledge. Land classifications, rural planning laws, business revenue models and mixed-use valuations all influence lending decisions. Because equestrian operations often sit outside standard banking criteria, working with a knowledgeable lender is essential.
Perfect for stables, tractors, horseboxes, trailers, arena levellers and machinery. Ownership transfers at the end of the term.
Tax-efficient equipment funding for riding schools, livery yards and professional centres. Lower upfront cost and flexible terms.
Long-term finance for property purchase, refinancing, expansion or land acquisition.
Support for operational expenses, staff, improvements and short-term working capital.
Fast funding for time-sensitive purchases, emergency repairs or cashflow gaps.
Funding for new arenas, gallops, stables, barns, yards and infrastructure upgrades.
There are several funding options available depending on the scale of your project, the type of property, and your financial goals. These include secured and unsecured business loans, commercial mortgages, property development finance, bridging loans, agricultural loans and equipment finance. Each option suits different stages of an equestrian build or upgrade, from buying land to fitting out indoor arenas or stables.
A secured business loan is backed by an asset such as property, land or machinery. Because the lender has collateral, these loans typically offer:
They’re ideal for major equestrian upgrades such as new barns, arenas, gallops or infrastructure improvements.
Unsecured business loans are faster to obtain and do not require collateral. They are commonly used for:
While interest rates may be higher, their flexibility makes them ideal for short-term or moderate-cost improvements.
Yes. Commercial mortgages are suitable for:
Specialist lenders understand complex planning classifications, Sui Generis usage, and hidden-value elements like grazing land or equine facilities.
Property development finance is one of the most useful tools for:
It releases staged funds as the project progresses, making it ideal for larger or multi-phase developments.
Bridging loans are short-term, fast-access finance commonly used for:
They allow you to act quickly while a long-term mortgage or development loan is arranged.
Agricultural lenders specialise in rural and land-focused projects. Their loans are suitable for:
Because they understand rural use cases, agricultural lenders often provide greater flexibility than mainstream banks.
Absolutely. Equipment finance is ideal for spreading the cost of:
This is one of the most cashflow-efficient ways to improve an equestrian facility.
It helps significantly to have:
This preparation demonstrates viability and gives lenders confidence in your project.
Yes—this is highly recommended. Equestrian premises are notoriously complex due to mixed-use classifications, rural planning restrictions, land valuations, and the specialised nature of equestrian facilities. Working with a lender or broker experienced in rural, agricultural and equestrian finance greatly improves approval chances and ensures you receive the right type of funding.
Regulatory requirements can add time and cost, including:
Considering these early helps prevent delays and unexpected expenses.
Yes. Many equestrian businesses use a combination of:
This multi-layered approach ensures each element of the project is funded cost-effectively.
A successful riding school in Kent needed a new indoor arena to maintain year-round lessons. Gable arranged development finance, allowing construction to begin immediately. Increased capacity helped the school boost revenue by 40% within a year.
A livery yard in Cheshire required a compact tractor, topper, and arena leveller. Gable structured a Hire Purchase agreement with low monthly payments, allowing the yard to invest without impacting cashflow.
A family purchasing a home with 10 acres, stables and a small arena struggled with traditional banks. Gable arranged a specialist equestrian mortgage tailored to mixed residential and equestrian use. The purchase completed within eight weeks.
A stud farm in Gloucestershire found the ideal adjoining field for expansion. A bridging loan from Gable enabled the purchase before their refinancing completed.
A professional rider upgraded to a 7.5t horsebox through asset finance. The new vehicle improved safety and allowed the yard to attend competitions nationwide.
From riding schools to private yards and competitive training centres, Gable Asset Finance provides flexible, specialist financing tailored to the needs of the UK equestrian community. Whether you’re expanding facilities, buying land or investing in equipment, Gable delivers the expertise and financial support needed to keep your equestrian operations thriving.