Riding establishment licence

Licence summary

To run a riding establishment in (where horses or ponies are hired out for riding or used for riding instruction) in England or Wales, you need a licence from the Local Authority.

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

Applicants must pay any required fee and comply with any conditions attached to a licence. Click on the link for the list of the Environmental Health Service Fees and Charges. (PDF 16Kb)

Regulation Summary

A summary of the eligibility criteria for this licence

Application Evaluation Process

Before deciding an application Mid Suffolk District Council 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.

Mid Suffolk District Council 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

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 Mid Suffolk District Council by the end of 60 days

Apply online

Apply for a licence to operate a riding establishment (THIS LINK IS NOT CURRENTLY LIVE)

Tell us about a change to your existing riding establishment licence (THIS LINK IS NOT CURRENTLY LIVE)

Failed Application Redress

Please contact Mid Suffolk District Council's Environmental Health Department in the first instance.

An applicant whose application is refused can appeal to the local magistrates' court.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact Mid Suffolk District Council's Environmental Health Department in the first instance.

A licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition can appeal to a local magistrates' court..

Consumer Complaints about an establishment.

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint about a riding establishment 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, you can contact Mid Suffolk District Council's Environmental Health Department via Customer Service Direct. If you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will also give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Other Redress

If you have other complaints about a riding establishment such as noise, pollution, etc or should one licence holder complain about another, you can contact Mid Suffolk District Council's Environmental Health Department via Customer Service Direct.

Trade Associations

Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS)

British Dressage

British Equestrian Federation (BEF)

British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)