Are you or have you ever been a BHS member? Why – or why not?

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The British Horse Society is changing. We’re one of the UK’s biggest equestrian charities – but we know that there’s plenty more we need to do, and we will do it.

We’ve got 75,000 members taking advantage of a range of great benefits with us, and who help us do everything we can for horses and those who love them. But we know that there are many more of you out there who aren’t with us – so let’s talk about what more you want to see us doing for you and your horses.

If you’ve been a member before but aren’t currently, what’s kept you from coming back? Did you join just to take exams? Were finances simply too stretched? Maybe it was the very unfortunate loss of a horse, or another reason to leave the equine world for a while.

If you’ve never been a member, why not? We want to make sure everyone connected with horses knows exactly how much we’re doing – so if you’re not sure, we’re especially keen to hear.

So fire away – we’re all ears!
 
I joined to take exams but never carried my membership on. Tbh, I don't feel there's anything extra the membership will offer me that I can't find on the website. I've heard good things about the legal advice, and would concider re joining for that but I can't really think of anything you already do/ could do in the future that would benefit me personally, but if I think of anything ill let you know :)
 
I have my PL insurance through you, that's the only reason i'm a member :) I don't tend to visit the website as i've already read everything on it so there seems no point ..
 
I joined for the PL insurance mainly, but I am interested in BHS Trec - I'm yet to compete but I have been browsing the website to find out more and what events are on in my area. I'm also interested in the tourism side - one day I'll get out on a horsey weekend hacking on one of the marked routes and stay in a horsey b&b so the info is quite interesting.
 
Been a Gold member for 18 years since I moved to UK. Initially was to find out about the horse world in England but have kept up membership for PL & legal insurance and I like to support the BHS.

Daughter was 'child' member until she hit 21 and is now a member in her own right. Again for reasons above.

I think the BHS does a great job and the only thing I would like to see more of is driver awareness of horses on the road, but I think every rider would want that whether a BHS member or not.
 
Gold member for the public liability insurance. I used to have full cover with SEIB but now have too many exclusions.
 
Been a Gold member for many many years - since the days when affiliated competitions needed it.
Have continued not just for the PL but to support the access work in particular, especially as the BHS is an organisation that is consulted by government/councils etc when they have to have some horseworld input to an issue.
 
I joined for the public liability insurance.I also wish to support the welfare work and bridle ways work the BHS does but admit that without the insurance I probably would not have joined.(I do appreciate and use the free RIHs Hickstead ticket too)
 
I have been a gold member for about 15 years. Joined for exams & insurance, stayed joined for insurance.

I do read the mag & have attended local classes & rides. I also like the fact that there is the legal helpline avalible :)
 
Been a gold member for about 10 years, also initially joined to take exams, and, like many others, stayed for the insurance.
 
I was a gold member for years mainly for the insurance cover but had to cancel my membership a few years ago as I lost my job and was trying to cut back as much as possible to enable me to keep my horse. Will have to now rejoin as financially back on my feet and now have five horses.
 
I'm a gold member, for the insurance. Didn't have insurance for my old pony, as she was 35, but wanted to be covered in case we had an accident out on the roads etc.
 
I'm a Gold Member joined for the insurance. I wish the BHS would do more for bridleways, opening new ones and fighting for riders rights.
 
Yes - for the insurance mainly. Scan read the magazine, but it seems v. biased toward instructors and TREC. Would like more of interest to the happy hacker brigade (of which I am one). Doesn't ever seem to be many events in my area that are suitable for the less competitive or non-riding horse owner.
 
Wow – thank you all very much for the responses so far. It’s interesting to see the range of feedback, and we’re of course really happy to read such positive replies.

Those who joined primarily or only for exams or insurance – what would you say is the next most important thing we do? If you stopped doing exams or didn’t need public liability or personal accident insurance, how likely would you be to stay with us, or what else would persuade you to?

Don’t forget that if you’ve never been a member or haven’t been for a while, we’re just as keen to hear your thoughts!
 
I just rejoined purely for the insurance as I have 3 horses. I was going to rejoin the register a couple of years ago but at a cost of nearly £400 to get set up (which I think has changed with the CP stuff in Scotland) with everything I decided I couldn't afford it and don't really want to teach again anyway.
 
I'm still a Gold Member because I forgot to cancel!

I joined for the insurance and legal advice.

I phoned the legal helpline which was apparently "unobtainable". So I emailed the local rep to report this....and got no reply.

Fortunately, my legal query was not urgent. I also have insurance cover on the farm policy. I have had no other contact with the BHS and often wonder why I joined.

Does that answer your question?
 
Ive been a gold member for a number of years. I initially joined as i qualified for the Knockhill XC finals and you had to be a member to take part. Ive kept my membership since for several reasons; the insurance and legal advice. Id love to take part in the finals again as for someone at my level that may be the highest thing we ever achieve and its great to have something like this for someone who only competes at 2ft6! Ive also had posters and leaflets sent out to me to distribute locally to try and raise road safety awareness. I think the BHS does a great job already but I would love to see things like your cycle safety campaign doing the rounds on facebook or similar (if they havent already?) we need to find a way for these things to be seen by the right people - eg cycle clubs etc.
 
I joined initially to do my exams, but haven't managed to get around to it yet (maybe this summer I'll get started.)

I'm a member now because I want to do the qualifiers for the British TREC Championships.
 
I am a member purely for insurance.other than insurance and exams I was unaware and still am of any perks/incentives.i would think that if there was a away of teaming up with British brands and the affiliated groups to offer discounts or a league within BS,BE,BD for members only at the lower levels could raise more interest and members??or even training with your qualified instructors for members,could you or do you use members as guinea pigs?
 
Was a gold member. Currently horseless but will be again when I find new hooves. The insurance is the main reason - I find a gold membership with you saves ££ on my horse insurance.

Do occasionally peruse the website. Read the mag when it comes through.
 
I joined to do my exams. I kept it up for a while because of the insurance but since then joined BD and BE who also offer PL and I can't afford to pay for membership of that many organisations.
 
I am a gold member for the PL insurance. As I ride several horses that are not my own, this is important to me. I have *touch wood* never had cause to use the legal helpline but have heard good things about it. I read the magazine and occasionally use the website- I once needed some sources to cite minimum sizes for stables for some uni coursework on animal housing, so that was helpful :).

I am pleased to support the BHS's welfare work as well, and I think it is good we have a lobby group for horses and horse riders in the UK.
 
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