Riding establishment

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 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.

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

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 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 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 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
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

Apply
For more information and an application form, call 01766 771000.#

Fees

Animal Licensing Establishments 2024 - 2025

Relevant legislation
Riding Establishments Act 1964 (external link)

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.

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 the 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). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Citizens Advice will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Trade associations
Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS)
British Dressage
British Equestrian Federation (BEF)
British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)