Licence - Riding Establishments
The Council would prefer applicants to apply, register or give notification online if at all possible. It will remain possible, however, to arrange for the Licensing Administrator to send you the application/registration form you require or for you to collect forms at the Council's main office at Kilncraigs. You can also download a PDF of the form on the Licensing Application Forms page and lodge the completed form with the appropriate fee and necessary supporting documents with the Licensing Administrator by post or by calling at Kilncraigs.
Licence summary
To run a riding establishment (where horses or ponies are hired out for riding or used for riding instruction) you need a licence from Clackmannanshire Council.
Eligibility Criteria
Individual Applicants must be over 18 years of age.
Applicants must not have been disqualified:
- from keeping a dog under the Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) Act 1933 or Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) (Scotland) Act 1934
- from keeping a pet shop under the Pet Animals Act 1951
- from having custody of animals under the Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
- from keeping an animal boarding establishment under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
- from a disqualification under the Animal Health Act 1981 following a conviction for deliberately infecting an animal with a disease
- from owing, keeping, dealing in or transporting animals, working with, using, riding or driving animals, providing animal services, taking possession of animals for any of these purposes or taking charge of animals for any other purposes under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
- from keeping a riding establishment under the Riding Establishment Acts 1964 & 1970
Conditions may be attached to a licence.
The maximum duration of a licence is 1 year.
Regulation Summary
Summary of the eligibility criteria for this licence
Application Evaluation Process
Before deciding an application the Council must consider a report from a veterinary surgeon or practitioner about an inspection carried out within 12 months before receipt of the application detailing whether the premises are suitable for a riding establishment and detailing the conditions of the premises and any horses.
The local authority will also take into account whether the applicant is suitable and qualified to hold a licence. They must also be satisfied of the following:
- that over-riding consideration will be given to the condition of the horses and that they will be maintained in good health, kept physically fit and where the horse is to be ridden or used for riding instruction, will be suitable for that purpose
- that the animals feet will be trimmed properly and that shoes are fitted properly and are in good condition
- that there will be suitable accommodation for the horses
- that for horses maintained on grass there is suitable pasture, shelter and water and that supplementary feed will be provided as and when needed
- that horses will be provided with suitable food, drink and bedding materials and will be exercised, groomed, rested and visited at suitable intervals
- that precautions will be taken to reduce the spread of contagious or infectious diseases and that veterinary first aid equipment and medicines will be provided and maintained
- that appropriate procedures are in place to protect and remove the horses in the case of a fire and that as part of this the name, address and telephone number of the licence holder is displayed outside the premises and fire instructions are displayed
- that storage facilities for forage, bedding, stable equipment and saddlery are provided
- that any horse inspected by an authorised officer and found to need veterinary attention will not be returned to work until the licence holder has produced a veterinary certificate confirming the horse is fit for work
- that a horse will not be let out for hire or for use in riding instruction without the supervision of a responsible person aged 16 years or older, unless the licence holder is satisfied the hirer does not require supervision
- that the business will not be left in the charge of someone under 16 years of age
- that the licence holder holds current indemnity insurance
- that the licence holder keeps a register of all horses in their possession that are three years old or younger and that the register is available for inspection at all reasonable times.
A temporary licence is subject to the same provisions as the licence set out above.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the Council by the end of the target completion period which is 6 months from date of receipt of your application with all supporting documentation. This period can be extended once if necessary due to the complexity of the issue provided we notify you of the extension and its duration before expiry of the original 6 month period.
Apply online
Application for a licence to operate a riding establishment
Application to change a riding establishment licence
Failed Application Redress
Please contact our Licensing Administrator in the first instance.
An applicant whose application is refused can appeal to the Sheriff of Tayside, Central and Fife at Alloa.
Licence Holder Redress
Please contact our Licensing Administrator in the first instance.
A licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition of the licence can appeal to the Sheriff of Tayside, Central and Fife at Alloa.
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery).
If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other Redress
If you have any other complaint or issue, contact the Licensing Administrator in the first instance.
Trade Associations
Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS)
British Dressage
British Equestrian Federation (BEF)
British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)
Please note that fees lodged with any Licence application are non-refundable.
Page & Site Tools
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Licensing Administrator, Community and Regulatory
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: +44 (0)1259 452093 / 450000
Email: licensing@clacks.gov.uk
