Riding Establishment Licence

A riding establishment is one where the business of keeping horses for hire, for riding or riding instruction, is carried on. Licences to keep a riding establishment are issued under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018

To apply for a licence please use the following application form:

Application for a Licence to Hire Out Horses (Riding Establishment) (Word Document, 280 Kb)

The form and any associated copies of documents is to be provided to the address on the form.

Once an application is received we will arrange for the inspection of horses and premises by a veterinary surgeon, to ensure the welfare of the animals and the suitability of accommodation.

The licence will be issued subject to compliance with licence conditions and payment of the licence fee and is renewable annually.

Please note: where an application is withdrawn or refused the Council reserves the right to levy a reasonable and proportionate administration fee to cover the costs of processing up to the point of withdrawal or refusal. Where a licence is suspended or revoked there will be no reimbursement of the application fee.

Licence summary

To run a riding establishment (where horses or ponies are hired out for riding or used for riding instruction) in England, Scotland or Wales, you need a licence from the local authority.

Eligibility criteria

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 with animals or transporting or being involved in the transporting of animals and
from owning, keeping dealing or transporting animals under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

Applicants must pay any required fee and comply with any conditions attached to a licence.

Regulation summary

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018

Guidance Notes for Conditions for Hiring Out Horses (PDF Document, 464.28 Kb)

Application evaluation process

Before deciding an application the local authority must consider a report from a veterinary surgeon or practitioner detailing whether the premises are suitable for a riding establishment and detailing the conditions of the premises and any horses.

The local authority will also take into account whether the applicant is suitable and qualified to hold a licence. They must also be satisfied:-

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 animal's 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 procedure is 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 and
that storage facility for forage, bedding, stable equipment and saddles are provided.

In addition to any other conditions 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 and
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.

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact it. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service [External] or use the contact details below.

Apply online

Apply for a licence to operate a riding establishment [External].

Failed application redress

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

An applicant whose application is refused can appeal to the local magistrates' court.

Licence holder redress

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

A licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition can appeal to a local magistrates' court.

Consumer complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery).

Other redress

For example about noise, pollution and so on. Also, should one licence holder complain about another licence holder.

Trade associations

Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS)

British Equestrian Federation (BEF)

British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)

Last updated: Monday, 8 April 2024 2:07 pm

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