Licensing

Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970

Licence conditions

Individual applicants must be over the age of 18 years or a body corporate
The number of horses accommodated at the establishment at any one time must not exceed - Number to be determined at time of inspection
Horses must be maintained in good health and in all respects be physically fit and, 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
No horse aged 3 years or under, nor any mare heavy with foal nor any mare within 3 months after foaling may be let out on hire for riding or used, in return for payment, for instruction in or demonstrating riding
Any riding equipment supplied with 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
The feet of all animals must be properly trimmed, and, if shod, their shoes must be properly fitted and in good condition
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. (Authorised Officer means a person authorised by a local authority in pursuance with Section 2 of the Act, that is, officers of the local authority or a Veterinary Surgeon)
No horse may be let out on hire for riding, or used for providing instruction in riding, without supervision by a responsible person aged 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
In the case of horses maintained at grass, there must be available for them at all times while they are so maintained, adequate pasture and shelter. Water and supplementary feeds must be provided as and when required
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
All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent and control the spread among horses of infection or contagious diseases and Veterinary first aid equipment and medicines must be provided and maintained in the premises
The construction of the riding establishment must be substantial, be adequate to contain the animals and be provided with warmth and shelter and be clean and hygienic. 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
Yards must provide enough space for every animal kept in the riding establishment
Lighting must be adequate to render the use of artificial light unnecessary in daylight
Ventilation must provide fresh air without drafts
Drainage must be adequate to carry away liquid voided by the horses and keep the standings dry
There must be provision for storage and disposal of manure and spoiled straw
Adequate accommodation must be provided for forage bedding, stable equipment and saddlery
The licence holder must ensure that appropriate steps will be taken for the protection and extraction 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 action to be taken in the event of a fire with particular regard to the extrication of horses, are kept displayed in a prominent position on the outside of the premises
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
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 or those who use a horse in the course of receiving from him in return for payment, instruction in riding or arising out of the hire or use of a horse as aforesaid and which also insures such person 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
A register must be kept by the licence holder of all horses in his possession aged 3 years and under and usually kept on the premises. The register shall be available for inspection by an authorised officer at all reasonable times
When determining whether to grant a licence, a local authority shall have regard as to whether the applicant appears to then to be suitably qualified, either by experience in the management of horses or by being the holder of an approved certificate or by employing in the management of the riding establishment a person so qualified as to be holder of such a licence
A licence shall not be granted to any person who has been disqualified under that legislation in the 1964 Act

Contact

Business Support Team

Environmental and Enforcement Services

Roycraft House

15 Linton Road

Barking

IG11 8HE

Supported by Barking and Dagenham Direct:

Tel: 020 8215 3007

Fax: 020 8227 5699

Textphone: 020 8227 5755

Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk|

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.