Riding establishment licences

Animal Welfare Regulations - 1 October 2018

New animal welfare regulations came into force on 1 October 2018, affecting businesses or individuals who want to apply or renew an animal boarding licence.

Before submitting an application, please read our information explaining the new regulations and the Government's guide on how to comply with the regulations.

View information on the Animal Welfare Regulations 


You must apply to us for a licence to run a riding establishment where horses or ponies are hired out for riding or used for riding instruction.

Eligibility

The new animal welfare regulations which came into force on 1 October 2018 have changed the rules governing the licensing of riding establishments.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the following guidance notes to help you understand the new regulations:

Fees

  Application for new licence Application to renew licence
Hiring out horses £220 £170

Vet Inspections

A condition for this licence requires a vet to inspect your establishment annually, within every 12 month period from the date your licence was issued, regardless of the length of the licence. 

You must pay the fee for the vet inspection separately.

Appeals

If you are unhappy with the way that we have dealt with your application you will need to contact us in the first instance.

The public register

There is no public register for this licence.