Riding Establishment Licensing
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.
Any person(s) keeping a riding establishment must obtain a licence from the local authority. Any premise or land used to keep horses, ponies, etc. which are hired out for payment for riding or used for riding instruction requires a Riding Establishment Licence.
Applicants must be over 18 years of age. Applicants must not have been disqualified:
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From keeping a dog under the Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) Act 1933 or Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs)(Scotland) Act 1934
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From keeping a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951
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From having custody of animals under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
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From keeping an animal boarding establishment under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
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From a disqualification under the Animal Health Act 1981 following a conviction for deliberately infecting an animal with a disease.
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From owning, keeping, dealing in or transporting animals, working with, using, riding or driving animals, providing animal services, taking possession of animals for any of these purposes or taking charge of animals for any other purposes under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.
Application Form and Notes (Word 68.5kb)
Alternatively, an application pack and notes can be obtained using the contact details on the right of this page.
Completed application forms should also be sent to the contact details at the right of this page. The application form should be accompanied by the non refundable fee.
On receipt of the completed documents, the application will be circulated to a number of consultees and some of the consultees may wish to inspect the premises. It will also be advertised on the Council's website to allow for members of the public to lodge any objections or representations to the issue of the licence.
Before deciding an application North Ayrshire 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.
North Ayrshire 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:
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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.
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That the animals feet will be trimmed properly and that shoes are fitted properly and are in good condition.
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That there will be suitable accommodation for the horses
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That for horses maintained on grass that a suitable pasture, shelter and water and that supplementary feed will be provided as and when needed.
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That horses will be provided with suitable food, drink and bedding materials and will be exercised, groomed, rested and visited at suitable intervals
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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
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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That the business will not be left in the charge of someone under 16 years of age.
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That the licence holder holds indemnity insurance.
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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.
If there are no objections, the licence will be issued for a period of 1 year from the date of issue.
It is in the public interest that North Ayrshire Council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Licensing Office within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this using the contact details to the right of this page.
Please note that the application process may take up to 6 weeks.
For 2010/2011 the fee for the grant of a Riding Establishment licence is £420 and a renewal application is £315. These fees are subject to annual review.
The fee is not returnable if you decide to withdraw the application or if the licence is refused.