South Hams District Council Riding Establishments Act (1964) as amended by Riding Establishments Act 1964

Guidance Notes

The attention of the licensee is drawn to the following relevant statutory provisions:

Section 1(4) as amended in Section 2 of the Riding Establishment act 1970.

In determining whether to grant a licence for the keeping of a riding establishment by any person at any premises, a local authority shall in particular (but without prejudice to their discretion to withhold a licence on any grounds) have regard to:

• (a)whether that person appears to them to be suitable and qualified, either by experience in the management of horses or by being the holder of an approved certificate or by employing in the management of the riding establishment a person so qualified, to be the holder of such a licence and
• (b)the need for securing

1. that paramount consideration will be given to the condition of horses and that they will be maintained in good health, and in all respects physically fit and that, in case of a horse kept for the purpose of its being used in providing instruction in riding, the horse will be suitable for the purpose for which it is kept
2. that the feet of all animals are properly trimmed and that, if shod, their shoes are properly fitted and in good condition
3. that there will be available at all times, accommodation for horses suitable as respects construction, size, number of occupants, lighting, ventilation, drainage and cleanliness and that these requirements be complied with not only in the case of new buildings but also in the case of buildings converted for use as stabling
4. that in case of horses maintained at grass there will be available for them at all times during which they are so maintained adequate pasture and shelter and water and that supplementary feeds will be provided as and when required;
5. that horses will be adequately supplied with suitable food, drink and (except in the case of horses maintained at grass, so long as they are so maintained) bedding material, and will be adequately exercised, groomed and rested and visited at suitable intervals
6. that all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread among horses of infectious or contagious diseases and that veterinary first aid equipment and medicines shall be provided and maintained in the premises
7. that appropriate steps will be taken for the protection and extrication of horses in case of fire and, in particular, that the name, address and telephone number of the licence holder or some other responsible person will be kept displayed in the prominent position on the outside of the premises and that instruction as to action to be taken in the event of fire, with particular regard to the extrication of horses, will be kept displayed in a prominent position on the outside of the premises
8. that adequate accommodation will be provided for forage, bedding, stable equipment and saddlery;

and shall specify such conditions in the licence, if granted by them, as appear to the local authority necessary or expedient in the particular case for securing all the objects specified in paragraphs (i) to (viii) of paragraph (b) of this subsection as amended by the 1970 Act.

Without prejudice to any other provisions of the act, every licence granted after 31st December 1970, shall be subject to the following conditions (whether they are specified in the licence or not), namely:-

• a horse found on inspection of the premises by an authorised officer to be in need of veterinary attention shall not be returned to work until the holder of the licence has obtained at his own expense and has lodged with the local authority a veterinary certificate that the horse is fit for work
• no horse will be let out on hire for riding or used for providing instruction in riding without supervision by a responsible person of the age of 16 years or over unless (in the case of a horse let out for hire for riding) the holder of the licence is satisfied that the hirer of the horse is competent to ride without supervision
• the carrying on of the business of a riding establishment shall at no time be left in the charge of any person under 16 years of age
• the licence holder shall hold a current insurance policy which insures him against liability for any injury sustained by those who hire a horse in the course of receiving from him, in return for payment, instruction in riding and arising out of the hire or use of a horse as aforesaid and which also insures such persons in respect of any liability which may be incurred by them in respect of injury to any person caused by, or arising out of the hire or use of a horse as aforesaid
• a register shall be kept by the licence holder of all horses in his possession aged three years and under and usually kept on the premises which shall be available for inspection by an authorised officer at all reasonable times

Offences

Any person who contravenes the provision of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence; and if any condition to which a licence under this Act is subject is contravened or not complied with, the person to whom the licence was granted shall be guilty of an offence.

Section 3(1) if any person

• at a time when a horse is in such a condition that its riding would be likely to cause suffering to the horse, lets out the horse on hire or else uses it for the purposes of providing, in return for payment, instruction in riding or for the purpose of demonstrating riding
• lets out on hire for riding or uses for the purpose of providing, in return for payment, instruction in riding or for the purpose of demonstrating riding any horse aged three years or under or any mare heavy with foal or any mare within three months after foaling
• supplies, for a horse which is let out on hire by him for riding equipment which is used in the course of the hiring and suffers, at the time when it is supplied, from a defect of such a nature as to be apparent on inspection and as to be likely to cause suffering to the horse or an accident to the rider
• fails to provide such curative care as may be suitable, if any, for sick or injured horse which is kept by him with a view to its being let out on hire or used for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (a) of this subsection
• in keeping a riding establishment knowingly permits any person who is for the time being disqualified under this Act from keeping a riding establishment, to have control or management of the keeping of the establishment or
• with intent to avoid inspection under Section 2 of this Act, conceals, or causes to be concealed, any horse maintained by the riding establishment

Section 4(1)

Any person guilty of an offence under any provision of this Act other than Section 2(4) thereof shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50.00 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

Abstract of Section 4(3)

If a court convicts a person of an offence under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, the Pet Animals Act, 1912, the Pet Animals Act, 1951 or the Animals Boarding Establishments Act, 1963, that the court may also disqualify that person from holding a licence to keep a Riding Establishment.

Code of practice for conduct of rides

The principles set out below should apply to establishments providing hacking and trekking, concerning the organisation and supervision of rides:

1.Responsibilities of proprietor or resident manager

In addition to the overall responsibilities for ensuring that rides are well run and enjoyed by the participants, proprietors have the responsibility for the safe conduct of all riding activities under their control, including the following:-

• To ensure that escorts allocated to a particular ride are competent to supervise that ride.
• To ensure that the number of riders per escort in a ride do not exceed safe limits and that adequate control is exercised over the mounts at the paces that will be employed.

The recommended safe limits for rides containing riders with only limited experience at the paces involved are:

• Six for fast hacks which will include a proportion of cantering and jumping.

• Seven for other hacks which will be mostly trotting but some cantering.

• Eight for slow hacks and trekking which will be mostly at the walk, but may include some trotting.

Numbers should only be increased above these limits where the proprietor has satisfied himself that it is safe to do so.

The total number in any ride should not exceed twenty. When riding on the highway or where local conditions demand this number must be reduced to a safe limit. The ratio of escorts to riders must be as above.

• To maintain a register including details of the times, duration and distances of rides and in addition routes, destination and expected return times of unescorted horses; the register to be available for inspection by an authorised officer at all reasonable times.

2.Competence of the escort (minimum age 16 years)

• Riding ability and horse mastership, this should be equivalent to Horse Knowledge and Riding Certificate, Stage II.  Pony Club Certificate `C' plus or Riding Club Grade II Test Standard.
• Instructional Ability, an escort should have the ability to explain the techniques of mounting, dismounting and the aids to walk, trot, canter, halt and turn.
• Elementary knowledge of First Aid for horse and rider to a standard that includes the contents of "Horse and Pony First Aid Reminder" by M.A.P. Simons, MRCVS and "The Horseman's First Aid Reminder by A.F. Higgins MB FCS.
• Through knowledge of safety standards equivalent to "Ride Safely" the BHS Riding and Road Safety Manual. Ideally, escorts should have passed the Road Safety Test.
• Local knowledge of riding routes.

3.Duties of escort

The escort is responsible for the following:

• The assessment of ability of riders This is vital preliminary to any ride to establish whether prospective riders are capable of riding out, or whether some or all will need instruction first. This is also important to assist in the allocation of riders to mounts. The assessment will be by discussion, followed by observation.
• Soundness and suitability of mounts. In allocating riders to mounts, escorts must know the characteristics of the mounts and their ability to carry weight. The Western Counties Veterinary Association have given the following guidance in respect of the recommended weights to be covered by the varying sizes of horses as follows:

Breed	Height	Weight
Ponies	11. - 11.2 hh	up to 6st
Ponies	11.2 - 12.2 hh	up to 7st
Ponies	12.2 - 13.2 hh	up to 8st
Ponies	13.2 - 14.2 hh	up to 9st
Cobs	14. - 15.2 hh	up to 13st
Thoroughbred horses	15. - 16.2 hh	up to 13st 7lbs
Hunter Type	15. - 16 hh	up to 14st
Heavy Hunters	15.2 - 17. hh	14st upwards
Donkeys	-	up to 8st

Mounts must be checked for their soundness on the day, particularly freedom from lameness, saddle sores and girth galls. The state of the shoes and / or feet must be inspected each day.

• State and fitness of saddlery: saddlery must be clean sound supple and well fitting and secure. Inspections should be made during the daily cleaning for damage, and checked for correct fitting before and after the riders mount.
• Riders clothing: in addition to being adequate to protect the rider from the elements, escorts must check that well fitting hard hats to British Standards 6473, 4472, or 6863 and safe footwear are worn. Riding hats must be firmly fitted by adjustment to the lining so that the hat will remain in place should the rider have a fall. The important feature of the footwear is that it will not slide forward through the stirrup trapping the foot, or prevent the foot sliding backwards clear of the stirrup, should the rider fall. The sole must therefore be relatively smooth back to the heel which should be sharply defined.

4.Briefing of riders

The escort must

1. Make it clear that he or she is in charge
2. Explain what is going to happen
3. Explain where they are going
4. Stress the aspects of safety, particularly if road work is involved
5. Indicate to the rider how they are expected to behave in an emergency

5.Conduct of ride

Nothing must be attempted on a ride which is beyond the capabilities of the least able rider. Escorts should arrange the ride so that there is a well mannered mount with a more competent rider at the front and at the rear. The leading rider on fast work may well be the escort, while on slow hacks and trekking, the escort should be free to patrol the ride and to help all riders.

The rider must not deviate from the arranged route and regard must be shown at all times for growing crops. The shutting of gates is vital. Proper consideration and courtesy must be shown to others.

6.Emergency Procedures

The escort must have a plan which has been worked out with the proprietor to deal with casualties to mounts or riders. The escort must know under what circumstances it is safe to proceed after first aid. The plan must include how and where to send for help. Escorts should always take with them, money for the telephone and suitable first aid pack.

7.Completion of ride

Once the appropriate stable routine has been completed at the end of a ride, the escort must enter in the report book any unusual events which have taken place while the facts are fresh.