Hiring out horses
Last Updated: 3 April 2024
Businesses need a licence to hire out horses, ponies and donkeys for riding or riding lessons, trekking, or for loan.
Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities on Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018
Defra guidance on hiring out horses
For guidance on the hiring of horses consult the Legislation and Guidance on the Sector Group website.
How to apply
To apply for a licence fill in the animal welfare application form (DOC 76KB / 7 pages).
The application form should be returned to the Licensing Team, along with any supporting documentation and the relevant fee:
Existing fees (2023/24):
- new application fee: £292.22 (plus vet fees)
- variation licence/re-evaluation of rating: £35.66 (plus vet fees)
Where there are a combination of activities, the highest activity fee is applicable.
Existing licence holders will be sent the relevant application forms about a month before the renewal date.
To apply for a variation to a licence or re-evaluation of the star rating, contact the Licensing team.