As equestrian leisure activities become increasingly popular, riders and their horses are taking over wider areas of land in France. What is their place as far as qualitative and quantitative land management is concerned? And in what way can these new activities change rural and peri-urban areas? This study carried out in 3 rural and 3 peri-urban areas explains the different ways in which recreational horses are being used for new activities, and the importance of these within the equestrian sector. It establishes a link between the growing number of horses and new residential and environmental dynamics in rural areas: horses contribute to preserving land that would otherwise not be used. They can provide an additional income for local farmers and contribute to developing recreational activities in rural areas. Recreational horses need to be considered as an integral element in sustainable land use planning.