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Hiring Out Horses

If you run a business that hires out horses for riding or instruction, you most hold a licence. This includes riding schools and those that hire out horses, trekking, loan horses, pony parties (but only where ponies are ridden), hunter hirelings, pol/polocrosse instruction and pony hire, pony and donkey rides.

Please refer to the downloadable Hiring out Horses Conditions and DEFRA guidance document for more information.

We will call upon the services of an approved vet for new and renewal applications, which is payable by the applicant in addition to the application fee.

‘Each business issued with a licence will be awarded a ‘Star Rating’, which must be displayed. The Star Rating will range from 1 star (meeting minimum standards) to 5 stars (meeting higher standards) and will be based on compliance with the Statutory Conditions and Standards. Information on how the Local Authority calculates the Star Rating can be found in the DEFRA guidance entitled ‘Procedural Guidance for Local Authorities’, 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-activities-licensing-guidance-for-local-authorities.’

Trade Associations

Links to trade associations can be found right

Application & Fees

* Where an application relates to more than one activity, the higher licence application/Issue fee will apply and the additional activity fee will also be payable for each additional licensable activity applied for.

Licence Type 2023-24 PART A Application Fee  PART B Grant of Licence Fee Additional Cost to Applicant
Riding Establishments / Hiring Out Horses New £233.20 £58.90 + Vets Fee
Renewal £201.30 £58.90 + Vets Fee
2/3 Year Licences - Inspection Fee £155.00 N/A + Vets Fee
Additional Licensable Activities* New / Renewal

2/3 Year Licence - Inspection Fee
£92.90

£46.00
£58.90
+ Vets Fee if required
Variation to licence/re-evaluation of star rating - Dog Breeding / Hiring out horses Variation £ 146.00 N/A + Vets Fee if required
Minor Variation of Licence - fixed fee Variation £ 31.00 N/A Nil
Transfer of Licence due to death of licensee - fixed fee Transfer £ 31.00 N/A; Nil

  Hiring out horses FAQ

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