Final position at the horse market in Heidel: 644 horses supplied, halved compared to 2019 | Zaltbommel

The traditional market, which is more than 300 years old, takes place in the far corner of the largest horse county in the Netherlands. The number of riding schools (plus 38 per cent) and especially the number of stud farms (plus 150 per cent) have increased significantly in Gelderland over the past ten years.

Remarkably, the horse markets of the two main competitors – Hedel and Zuidlaren – contained far more horses ten years ago than they do now. In Hedel in 2012 there were over 1,500 horses in the village and in Zuidlaren that year over 2,300.

Zuidlaren has more than halved in that time (just over 1,000 hp in mid-October this year). Hedel expects about the same number and has limited the size of the market. In 2019, the last issue before the Corona period, the market supply was much higher than it is now. That is, on 1288 horsepower.

President August van den Anker describes the result as “dramatic”. Although he did not dare to draw any conclusions from it. We have discussed this matter with experts and traders. Nobody understands. Fortunately, the horse market ran smoothly for the rest. I am very happy with that.”

^{The text continues below the video}

What is remarkable is that the decrease in supply to the market appears to be inversely proportional to the increase in the popularity of (luxury) horses. During the previous crisis, the horse business collapsed. It only recovered after 2013. This is also evident from the Chamber of Commerce figures Bypass Stentor Paper sister Brabants Dagblad.

“Breeding horses is a kind of luxury, and if it goes a little farther, you’ll see it right away. But it’s completely different now. There is currently much more demand than supply. Prices are high,” says horse breeder Harold Zoet of Wiesp.

Despite the stricter rules for importing and exporting horses, animals from abroad came to Hedel. One person had no papers. The organization receives many questions about offshoring.

After purchase, animals must be quarantined for more than 48 hours in accordance with European legislation. However, this is not always the case, judging by the sounds in the market.

The horse market receives both praise and criticism from animal welfare organization Eyes on Animals. “There is enough hay, straw and water for the animals,” the organization said on social media.

On the other hand, there are criticisms about the music played near the animals. “The permissible decibel limit for juveniles is 85 decibels, and the music wasn’t all animals fascinated.”