Licences for riding establishments
Licences to keep a riding establishment are issued under the
Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970.
A riding establishment is "the carrying on of a business of
keeping horses to let them out for hire for riding or riding
instruction". Licences are renewable annually. The
council will arrange for a veterinary surgeon to inspect the horses
and premises to ensure the welfare of the animals and that the
stabling is suitable.
The licence will be issued subject to compliance with licence
conditions and payment of the licence fee.
The following conditions are required by the act, whether
specified in the licence or not:
- If an authorised officer inspects the premises and finds a
horse to be in need of veterinary attention, the horse shall not be
returned to work until the licence holder has obtained at his or
her own expense, and has lodged with the local authority, a
veterinary certificate that the horse is fit for work.
- No horse will be hired out for riding, or used for providing
instruction in riding, without supervision by a responsible person
of age 16 years or older unless – in the case of a horse hired out
for riding – the licence holder is satisfied that the hirer of the
horse is competent to ride without supervision.
- The business operations of a riding establishment shall at no
time be left in the charge of any person under 16 years old.
- The licence holder shall hold a current insurance policy which
insures him or her against liability for any injury
sustained:
- by persons who hire a horse for riding
- by persons who pay to use a horse to receive riding
instructions
- arising from the hire or use of a horse as stated above 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 from, the hire or use of a horse as stated above.
- A register shall 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.
Guidance on conditions for riding establishment licences is
issued by the British Veterinary Association.
Copies of the Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970 can be
obtained from Office of Public Sector
Information. Or a copy can be inspected at the council
offices where you may also obtain details of the fee, an
application form and further help or advice.
You can also download the
application form (PDF, 2 mb) or
apply online through the Businesslink website.
You will be contacted in writing on receipt of
the application form.
How to contact us:
Environmental Health Commercial Team – Health
and Safety
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
E14 1BY
Open: 9am to 5pm - Monday to Friday
Tel: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 6901
Email: healthandsafety@towerhamlets.gov.uk