InformationApply for a Hiring out Horses Licence
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.
How to apply
If you want to run a business hiring out horses for riding or riding instruction then you will need to apply for a licence.
If renewing a licence, you must submit your application to the Council no later than 10 weeks before your current licence expires.
To make a new application or renew a licence, please use this application form.
If you have any questions, please contact the Environmental Health Team by email environmentalhealth@eastdevon.gov.uk.
Restrictions
You must be over 18 to apply for a licence. You may not be given a licence if you’ve been convicted of animal health or welfare offences.
If you have a previous conviction and/ or disqualification for an animal related offence, please contact the Environmental Health Team to check if it will affect your ability to hold a licence.
What you will need
The following documents will need to be available for inspection during your visit:
Preventative Healthcare Plan/ Biosecurity Risk Assessment (agreed and signed by applicant’s registered veterinarian)
Staff Training policy
Cleaning procedure
Feeding procedure
Disease Control and Prevention procedure
Transport Procedure
Monitoring and Ensuring Health and Welfare of Animals procedure
Death and Escape of Animals procedure
Written Emergency Plan
Site plan of premises.
Plan of stables, stalls and any isolation facilities with dimensions in metres.
Public Liability Insurance Certificate
List of staff qualifications.
Staff training records
DBS Certificate for the licence holders.
Introduction of New Horses to Existing Groups procedure
Feed plan for all horses.
Structured management and care programme for each horse which sets out the regime for foot care, dental care, worming, vaccines, veterinary care, fly management and saddlery checks.
Enrichment procedure.
Pasture Management Plan.
For a full checklist of documents, click here.
You can find further guidance available at Hiring out Horses
Payments
You will need to pay a fee for your licence. Please make sure you are aware of how much this will cost.
You will also need to pay the vet's fee for inspecting the premises. As this cost varies depending upon the amount of time the vet takes to inspect, we will ask you to pay this after the inspection has taken place.
You will need a credit or debit card to pay by phone.
Any personal information which you provide will be held and used by East Devon District Council for the purpose of issuing you with a licence for hiring out horses and on the basis of public task.
What you can do if you haven't heard from us
After the Council has advised you that your application is valid, the Council has up to 10 weeks to issue their decision in relation to the application.
If you have received a notification from us that your application has been passed to the Animal Health and Licensing Officer, but they have not yet contacted you to book an inspection, please contact us by emailing environmentalhealth@eastdevon.gov.uk.
You must wait for the grant of a licence before you start operating.
What you can do if your application is unsuccessful
Decisions to refuse or vary a licence are explained in writing. If you do not understand the reasons provided, or you wish to discuss the decision with the Animal Health and Licensing Officer, please contact the officer using the details at the top of the decision letter for an informal discussion.
Appeals
If you've had an informal discussion with the Animal Health and Licensing Officer and this has not resolved your disagreement with their decision, you can appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal to review the Council's decision. The First-Tier Tribunal may give directions on the issue of a licence or on any conditions imposed.
Who will receive or see my personal information?
Your information may also be shared within East Devon District Council for the purposes of carrying out our lawful functions. Otherwise your personal information will not be disclosed to anybody outside East Devon District Council without your permission, unless there is a lawful reason to do so, for example disclosure is necessary for crime prevention or detection purposes. Your information will be held securely and will not be retained for any longer than is necessary. There are a number of rights available to you in relation to our use of your personal information, depending on the reason for processing. Further detail about our use of your personal information can be found in the relevant Privacy Notice.