Riding Establishment Licensing
If you run a riding establishment
(where horses or ponies are hired out for riding or used for riding
instruction) in England, you need a licence from the local
authority. Veterinary surgeons, police forces and zoos do not
require licences
Regulation
Riding Establishments
Acts 1964 and 1970. (full legislation)
Apply
Fees
A fee is payable at the time of application. View the fee information for riding establishement
licences.
Application Evaluation Process
Before issuing a licence an Environmental Health
Officer and a veterinary surgeon must be satisfied
of the following:
- 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
In addition, a riding establishment licence must be subject to
the following conditions:
- 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
- that the licence holder keeps a register of all horses in their
possession that are three years old or younger and that the
register is available for inspection at all reasonable
times
Eligibility
Applicants must be over 18 years of age. In England and Wales
they must have not been disqualified:
- 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
- from owning, keeping dealing or transporting animals under the
Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
All licence holders must have valid Public
Liability Insurance and planning permission for the business.
Right of Appeal
Please contact Cheshire East Council in the first
instance. An applicant whose application is refused can
appeal to the local Magistrates Court.
Other Useful Organisations
