Licence Summary
To 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 us.
There is a fee for the
application and renewal of a licence.
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.
Regulation Summary
The main legislation covering this permission is the
Riding Establishments Act 1964.
Application Evaluation Process
Before deciding an application we 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.
We will also take into account whether the applicant is suitable
and qualified to hold a licence. We 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
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your
application is granted if you have not heard from the local
authority by the end of the target completion period of 63
days.
Apply online
Downloadable forms and other documents
If you wish to complete an application by hand and return it to
us by post, you can
download the online application here.
Failed Application Redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
An applicant whose application is refused can appeal to the
North Somerset Magistrates'
Court. The court may uphold the decision or alter
provisions and conditions in a licence as it thinks proper.
Licence Holder Redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
A licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition can
appeal to the
North Somerset Magistrates'
Court. The court may uphold the decision or alter provisions
and conditions in a licence as it thinks proper.
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the
first contact is made with the person by you - preferably in the
form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked,
contact the Food and Safety Team.
Trade Associations
Public Registers
Please contact the Food and Safety team for more information on
the registers held.
Contact Details
For more information please contact the
Food and Safety
Team.
