Horse and stable licence
If you hire out horses as a business for either of the following you will need a licence under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
- Riding
- Instruction in riding
Hiring out horses licences are valid for one, two or three years based on a risk assessment. The more conditions you meet, the better chance you have of being granted a longer licence.
In order to secure a hiring out horses licence, your business must meet the conditions in the legislation and the guidance set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):
- General conditions (Schedule 2 of the legislation)
- Specific conditions for hiring out horses (Schedule 5 of the legislation)
- DEFRA guidance notes
A Council officer or vet may inspect your premises before giving you a licence, and any time after the licence is granted. Some visits will be unannounced as required by the legislation.
The more conditions you meet, the better chance you have of being granted a longer licence.
Apply for a licence to hire out horses
To apply for a licence to hire out horses, please complete the following steps:
- Read the legislation
- Check the list of people who cannot apply for a licence (Regulation 11)
- Read the specific DEFRA guidance notes issued for your licence
- Check the licence fee using our fees table
- Fill out our Animal Licence application form online and pay
We will take the full payment when you apply. If your licence is not granted, part of your licence fee will be refunded to you.
Vary a licence
If you wish to vary your licence, please email publichealth.licensing@horsham.gov.uk giving full details.
If you breach your hiring out horses licence or hire out horses without one, you could be fined.
If you stop or delay an inspection your licence can be taken away and you could be banned from hiring out horses.
For more details, please read the legislation.