Horse Riding Establishments
Licence Summary
You need a licence from the Council under the Riding
Establishments Acts of 1964 and 1970 to run a riding establishment
(where horses or ponies are hired out for riding or used for riding
instruction). This means that every person who keeps horses and
hires them for riding, or who provides, in return for payment,
instruction in riding is required to be licensed.
Eligibility Criteria
You must be over 18 years old, and you cannot get a licence if
you have been disqualified from any of the following at the time of
the application:
- from keeping a riding establishment
- from keeping a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951
- from having custody of animals under the Protection of Animals
(Amendment) Act 1954
- from keeping boarding establishments for animals under the
Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
- under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 from keeping or owning
animals, being able to influence how animals are kept, dealing
animals or transporting or being involved in the transporting of
animals under the Animal Welfare Act 2006
There is a variable annual fee which can be found in our current
Table of Fees.
You must comply with any conditions (see downloads below)
attached to a licence.
Licences must be renewed on an annual basis.
Application Evaluation Process
We will arrange for a visit from an Environmental Health Officer
and a Veterinary surgeon, who will inspect the premises to ensure
they are suitable for a riding establishment, and detail the
conditions of the premises, tack and horses.
Before we can issue a license we must be satisfied that:
- you are suitable and qualified to hold a licence
- that consideration will be given to the condition of the horses
and that they will be maintained in good health, kept physically
fit and where the horse is to be ridden or used during riding
instruction, be suitable for that purpose
- that the animals feet will be trimmed properly and that shoes
are fitted properly and are in good condition
- that there will be suitable accommodation for the horses
- that for horses maintained on grass there is suitable pasture,
shelter and water and that supplementary feed will be provided as
and when needed
- that horses will be provided with suitable food, drink and
bedding materials and will be exercised, groomed, rested and
visited at suitable intervals
- that precautions will be taken to reduce the spread of
contagious or infectious diseases and that veterinary first aid
equipment and medicines will be provided and maintained
- that appropriate procedures are in place to protect and remove
the horses in the case of a fire, and that as part of this the
name, address and telephone number of the licence holder is
displayed outside the premises and fire instructions are
displayed
- that storage facilities for forage, bedding, stable equipment
and saddlery are provided
- that any horse inspected by an authorised officer and found to
need veterinary attention will not be returned to work until the
licence holder has obtained a veterinary certificate confirming the
horse is fit for work
- that a horse will not be let out for hire or for use in
instruction without the supervision of a responsible person aged 16
years or older, unless the licence holder is satisfied the rider
doesn't require supervision
- that the business will not be left in the charge of someone
under 16 years of age
- that the licence holder holds indemnity insurance for public
liability
You must keep a register of all horses in your possession and
make the register available for inspection at all reasonable
times
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. You must have a licence to be properly insured, and we must
be satisfied that the health and safety of the public, staff and
the animals is protected. If you have not heard from us within four
weeks, please contact us at the licensing office.
Apply online
This service lets you submit a form
and its related documentation online. In addition to the
licence fee the vet's inspection fee will also be payable to us,
details given at time of application.
Failed Application Redress
Please contact us to discuss why you have been refused a
licence, or if you think we have imposed an unreasonable
condition.
If you are not happy with our decision, you can appeal to the
Magistrates court. A court may give directions on the issue of a
licence, or on conditions set on a licence.
You may also view the Public
Registers.
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that you first contact the business -
preferably in writing (with proof of delivery). If that has not
worked, if you live in the UK, Consumer Direct (external
link) will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the
UK European Consumer Centre
(external link).
Trade Associations
Links to trade associations
can be found at the bottom of this page.