Animal welfare licensing
Apply for a licence to hire out horses
Under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, a licence is required to hire out horses as part of a business.
When is a licence needed?
A licence is required when horses are hired for either or both of the following:
- Horse riding
- Instruction in horse riding
This includes pony rides, riding schools and hunter hirelings.
Are there any exceptions?
The following examples are considered out of scope and do not require a licence:
- Pony parties where ponies are not ridden. These should be licensed as Keeping or training animals for exhibition.
- Military or police activities or training
- Riding schools used exclusively for veterinary instruction
- Individuals who occasionally lend a horse where no profit or intent to make profit is made
What should I consider?
Full details are available in the guidance notes below:
A three year licence may be granted if you achieve a five star rating. However, an annual veterinary inspection is still required.
How to apply
Download and complete the following document:
If you are applying for more than one activity, please fill out all relevant forms.
Completed forms may be returned to:
Animals and Licensing
Swindon Borough Council
Wat Tyler House, 5th Floor
Beckhampton Street
Swindon
SN1 2JG
Alternatively, they may be sent to dogwarden@swindon.gov.uk
How to pay
Fees can be paid by cheque made payable to Swindon Borough Council or by phone on 01793 466114. Only the application fee needs to be paid with the application. The grant fee for the issue of the licence is payable following inspection.
The full fee list is available to view below:
| Licensable activity | Application fee including renewals | Additional costs | Licence grant fee - 1 year | Licence grant fee - 2 years | Licence grant fee - 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 20 horses | £130 | Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost | £130 | £185 | £230 |
| 20+ horses | £160 | Vet fees where applicable throughout the duration of the licence. Recharged at cost | £130 | £185 | £230 |
| Variation of licence | £55 | Vets fees where applicable and recharged at cost plus £85 inspection fee if required. | None | None | None |
| Minor Variation – minor administrative change. For example, name change or additional carer name | £15 | None | None | None | None |
| Transfer due to death of licensee | £55 | None | None | None | None |
| Re-evaluation of star rating | £45 + £85 inspection fee | None | None | None | None |
| Copy of licence | £10.50 | None | None | None | None |
| Combination of licensable activities | Fee chargeable is the highest fee combined with 50% of lowest application fee | Vets fees as required recharged at cost | Fee chargeable is the highest fee combined with 50% of lowest grant fee | Fee chargeable is the highest fee combined with 50% of lowest grant fee | Fee chargeable is the highest fee combined with 50% of lowest grant fee |