Riding establishment licences
No person may keep a riding establishment without a licence from the council. Licences are issued in accordance with 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 expire on the anniversary of issue.
The premises must meet adequate animal health and welfare standards. Inspections are carried out by animal health inspectors from the Corporation of London Veterinary Service.
- 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; or 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. (Section 1(4a)).
Guidance on conditions for riding establishment licences is issued by the British Veterinary Association.
Download a Riding Establishment licence application form and a copy of the standard conditions 
(PDF, 70 KB).
Your right of appeal
You can appeal a licence refusal or any conditions to which a licence is subject through a Magistrates' Court.
Further information
For an application form, further information about applying for a licence or to make a complaint about an establishment, contact the Licensing Team:
Tel: 020 8359 7995
Fax: 0870 889 6793
E-mail: licensingadmin@barnet.gov.uk
The Licensing Team deals with many of the licences that may be issued by the council. We can provide information and advice about applications, fees, how to apply, whether a licence is needed and how to advertise an application.
We can:
- provide application forms and printed advice.
- provide information about existing licences and current applications.
- receive representations either in favour of or against a licence application.
- deal with requests for a review of a licence in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003.
- respond to complaints about licensed premises or premises trading without a licence.
