Licensing and Regulations - Riding Establishments

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 under the Riding Establishments Act 1964.

Please contact South Hams District Council if you are thinking of letting other people use your horses or ponies.

You should not pay for lessons on anyone else’s horse, unless they are licensed. If you do and you have an accident, they may not be insured

We try to make sure that horses are well looked after, that the layout of the facilities are suitable, that staff are trained and properly insured, and we make sure that the operator has thought about dangers to the public using the facilities

Licences are usually valid for one year and should be on display. We can issue provisional licences for up to six months.

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

Applicants must pay any required fee and comply with any conditions attached to a licence. Before a licence is granted or renewed the horses and premises must be inspected by a veterinary surgeon who is qualified to inspect horses. The Local Authority also needs to be confident that the licensee is a competent person to run such an establishment.

Regulation summary
A summary of the regulation relating to this licence

Application evaluation process
Before deciding an application the South Hams District Council are required to arrange for and consider a report from a suitably qualified veterinary surgeon or practitioner detailing whether the premises are suitable for a riding establishment and detailing the conditions of the premises and any horses.

South Hams District Council may return with the vet to re-inspect if we get complaints about the condition or care of the animals

South Hams District Council will take into account the following:

whether the applicant is suitable and qualified to hold a licence.
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 mandatory 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 in respect of personal injuries
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

Target completion time
Once South Hams District Council have received the completed application and associated supporting documents (if required) from the applicant the target completion time will be 28 days.

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 South Hams District Council within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.

Apply online
Apply for a riding establishment licence
Tell us about a change to your existing riding establishment licence

Forms to download, print and post
Telephone or email us to request an application form, or click below to download an application form.

Riding establishment application form

Further information

Send the completed form with application fee and proof of insurance to the address below.

Guidance notes

Failed application redress
Please contact the Licensing Department at South Hams District Council in the first instance.

Licence holder redress
Please contact South Hams District Council in the first instance.

Appeal
Right of appeal exists to the Magistrates' Court within 21 consecutive days of the date of the objection notice.

Fees
Click here to view fees for licence applications.

Contact details

Address
The Licensing Department
South Hams District Council
Follaton House
Plymouth Road
Totnes
Devon
TQ9 5NE
Tel: 01803 861234
Fax: 01803 861294
Email: licensing@southhams.gov.uk

Public register
Click here for information on how to view the public register.

Consumer complaint
If you wish to make a complaint of any kind about a riding establishment within the South Hams District Council area please contact us.

If you are not happy with the service the Council has provided with regard to your application, please contact the Licensing Office of the Council in the first instance, and we will try to resolve any concerns you may have.

The Council also has a formal complaints procedure. Please write to the Licensing Office at the contact address above, you may wish to send your letter by recorded delivery.

If your complaint is still not resolved, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Other redress
Anyone suffering nuisance due to noise, smells or similar because of a commercial premises should contact the Environmental Health Department at South Hams District Council on 01803 861234.

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