Horse riding establishments licence

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Under the Riding Establishments Act 1964, anyone keeping a riding establishment needs a licence.

A riding establishment can be defined as keeping horses for either riding or hire, or the purpose of instruction for the return of payment. Vets, police forces and zoos do not require a riding establishment licence. Licences are issued subject to conditions covering the welfare of the horses.

How to apply

• Applicants should complete the application form which is available below. On request an application form will be forwarded to the applicant for completion by post.
• On receipt of the application form the council will arrange for an officer to carry out an inspection of the premises to ensure its suitability for housing animals.
• Dependant on the findings of the inspection a licence may or may not be issued. Renfrewshire Council will also arrange for a vet to carry out an inspection as part of the registration process.
• Please refer to the Animal Licences Fees and Charges page for current cost of a licence.
• The application will be processed in 21 working days.

Horse Riding Establishment Application Form (pdf - 778kb)
Animal Licence Advice and Guidance (pdf - 547KB)

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The licence lasts for one year. Before the renewal date, Renfrewshire Council will write to you informing you that the licence is due to be renewed asking you to complete a licence renewal form and submit payment. Following this, an inspection will be carried out by an Environmental Health Officer and a vet and when the Officer is satisfied that the riding establishment meets the conditions, a new licence will be issued.

There will be an initial inspection by Trading Standards and a vet on application and annually thereafter.

Please submit any changes of circumstances to us (below).

In addition the following conditions are required by the Act, whether specified in the licence or not:

• A horse found on inspection of the premises by an authorised officer to be in need of veterinary attention shall 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;
• No horse will 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;
• The carrying on of the business of a riding establishment shall at no time be left in the charge of any person under 16 years of age;
• The licence holder shall 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;
• A register is to be maintained 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. (Sec. 1(4a)).

If you are refused a licence

Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by any conditions to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Sheriff who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

Riding establishment register

Establishment	Address
Fordbank Equestrian Centre	Beith Road, Johnstone PA10 2NS
Boydstone Farm	Boydstone, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JT
Wardhouse Equestrian Centre	Wardhouse Farm, Forehouse Road, Kilbarchan PA10 2PU
Ingliston Equestrian Centre	Old Greenock Road, Bishopton, Renfrewshire PA7 5PA

Contact information

• email: ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0141 840 3184 (select option 2)
• call in or write to us at:
  Renfrewshire Council
  Environmental Services
  Trading Standards
  Renfrewshire House
  Cotton Street
  Paisley
  PA1 1BR
  

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