Riding establishment licence conditions

  1. Horses must be maintained in good health and in all respects physically fit. In the case of a horse kept for the purpose of its being let out on hire for riding or a horse kept for the purpose of its being used in providing instruction in riding, the horse must be suitable for the purpose for which it is kept. 
  2. No horse aged three years or under nor any mare heavy with foal nor any mare within three months after foaling may be let out on hire for riding or used, in return for payment, for instruction in or demonstrating riding.
  3. Any riding equipment supplied for a horse let out on hire must be free from visible defect which is likely to cause suffering to the horse or accident to the rider.
  4. The feet of all animals must be properly trimmed and, if shod, their shoes must be properly fitted and in good condition.
  5. A horse found, on inspection of the premises by an authorised officer, to be in need of veterinary attention must 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.
  6. No horse may 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.
  7. In the case of horses maintained at grass, there must be available for them, at all times during which they are so maintained, adequate pasture and shelter and water and supplementary feeds must be provided as and when required.
  8. Horses must 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 must be adequately exercised, groomed and rested and visited at suitable intervals.
  9. All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread among horses of infectious or contagious diseases and veterinary first aid equipment and medicines must be provided and maintained in the premises.
  10. The construction of the riding establishment must be substantial, adequate to contain the animals, and provided with warmth and shelter in clean and hygienic conditions. There must be convenient and safe access to stalls and boxes. Stalls must be large enough to allow the animal to lie down and get up without risk of injury. Boxes must be large enough to allow the animal to turn round.
  11. Yards must provide enough space for every animal kept there.
  12. Lighting must be adequate to render the use of artificial light unnecessary in daylight.
  13. Ventilation must provide fresh air without draughts.
  14. Drainage must be adequate to carry away liquid voided by the horses and keep the standing dry.
  15. There must be provision for storage and disposal of manure and spoiled straw.
  16. Adequate accommodation must be provided for forage bedding, stable equipment and saddlery.
  17. The licence holder must ensure 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 are kept displayed in a prominent position at the outside of the premises and that instructions as to the action to be taken in the event of fire, with particular regard to the extrication of horses, are kept displyed in a prominent position on the outside of the premises.
  18. The carrying on of the business of the establishment must at no time be left in the charge of any person under 16 years of age.
  19. The licence holder must hold a current insurance policy which insures him against liability for any injury sustained by those who hire a horse from him for riding and those who use 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.
  20. A register must 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.