Regulation Summary
Apply for a Licence (New & Renewal)
Public Register
The legislation does not require a register of all riding establishment licences to be kept. If you would like to know if a premises is licensed as a riding establishment please contact the Trading Standards & Licensing Section.
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.
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.
Application Process
Receipt of your completed application form and the appropriate fee will be confirmed in writing, and an inspection of the premises will be arranged by an Officer from the Council's Business Compliance Section who will be accompanied at this inspection by a veterinary surgeon or practitioner approved by the Council.
Before granting a licence we must then consider a report from the 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 applicant will also be required to pay the cost of inspections carried out by the Council's authorised Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner.
Where a licence is granted, that licence will expire on the 31st December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed annually before that date if the premises are to continue as a riding establishment.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that we must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Trading Standards & Licensing Section within a reasonable period, please contact it. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service ' 
' or use the contact details below.
Licence Conditions
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
Standard conditions, subject to which a licence is granted (.pdf, 11kb)
Change of Circumstances
Any change of circumstances in relation to an existing licence must be notified to the Trading Standards & Licensing Section. This includes the surrendering of a licence or any other material change to the licence or how you operate.
There is a fee due in respect of any change that requires a new licence to be issued.
Failed Application Redress
Please contact your Trading Standards & Licensing Section in the first instance. Any applicant who is refused a licence can appeal to Wigan & Leigh Magistrates' Court.
Licence Holder Redress
Please contact the Trading Standards & Licensing Section in the first instance. Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to their licence can appeal to Wigan & Leigh 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 Consumer Service (External Link) will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre ' '.
Trade Associations
* This page was last reviewed on 21 June 2012 *
