Renfrewshire Council

If you have a horse riding establishment, you must have a licence.

What a horse riding establishment is

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 for a licence

• 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.
• See the fees and charges page for current cost of a licence.

The licence lasts for one year. The onus is on the licence holder to apply for a renewal of the licence in good time, you will not receive any reminder from the Council.

You should apply for your following year licence by 30 September to allow our Service time to process the new licence.

If you are applying for your licence for the first time, download the  renewal form for a horse riding establishment licence [819KB] .

If you want to renew your licence, download the renewal form for a horse riding establishment licence [124KB] .

Conditions of the licence

In addition to the licence conditions, the following conditions are required to be met 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.

Inspections of your horse riding establishment

Annual inspections will be carried out by a Public Health Enforcement Officer (Environmental Health) and/or a vet.

Register of horse riding establishments

• Fordbank Equestrian Centre, Beith Road, Johnstone PA10 2NS
• Boydstone Farm, Boydstone, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JT
• Wardhouse Equestrian Centre, Wardhouse Farm, Forehouse Road, Kilbarchan PA10 2PU
• Claire McConnochie Riding Academy, Old Greenock Road, Bishopton, Renfrewshire PA7 5PA
• Pony Buddies, Mid Gavin Equestrian Centre, Howwood PA9 1DL