LICENCING & AFFLILATIONS

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE LICENCED

Anyone making an income of over £1000 per year from the below activities should be licenced by the local authority:

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Hiring out for reward, horses for riding, or instruction in riding.

This could include:

• riding schools

• loan horses

• hunter hirelings

• pony and donkey rides

• polo instruction

• pony parties where the ponies are ridden

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We are licensed by the local Authority - Licence number: 90066 ​

We are super proud to have been awarded a 5 * rating from the licensing authority under the newly introduced DEFRA guidelines.  These have introduced more stringent rules and regulations regarding the care and housing of the horses, dealing with clients and supporting staff.

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Many people wanting to take up riding are probably unaware of the rules and regulations surrounding businesses operating as riding schools or trekking centres etc.

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The local councils regulate, inspect and impose the licensing conditions dictated by the government.  These are derived from the Animal Welfare Act.  The rules and regulations are stringent and have to be adhered to by any business that want to operate legitimately.  Operating without a license can mean fines of up to £1,000 or imprisonment for up to 3 months, or both.

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Please consider this carefully when you look to booking your lessons, no matter where you are considering going.  As you will see from the list of licensing criteria below, we have to work hard to maintain all aspects of the school.  We always strive to care for the horses and ponies to the highest standards.  They are annually checked by the Vet for licensing to ensure that they are fit and healthy to work.  We also have regular visits from the Farrier, Vet for other health check ups, Dentist, Physio and Saddlers among other equine professionals.

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To be awarded a licence the school must:

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• Undergo annual inspections by the Council appointed Vet and Council representatives

• Maintain the horses and ponies to a high standard - fitness and general all round health

• Employ suitably qualified staff

• Maintain staff development plans and programmes

• Have a suitable staff to equine ratio

• Maintain horse and pony health records including feeding etc

• Have written preventative health plans in place for all horses and ponies

       - Worming programme

       - Vaccination etc

• Provide suitable housing for all the horses and ponies

• Provide suitable turnout and exercise for the horses and ponies

• Provide good quality feed and forage

• Ensure that the horses and ponies are carefully regulated on their working hours

• Tack and other equipment is to be maintained to a high standard

• The surroundings to be maintained to suitably house the horses, ponies and staff

• Be fully insured!

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For more information please follow this link: GOV.UK Hiring of Horses