Hiring out horses

1. The licence

You must have a licence if you run a business that hires out horses for riding or riding lessons.

This includes:

• hiring out horses
• trekking
• loan horses
• pony parties (only where the ponies are ridden)
• hunter hirelings
• polo/polocrosse instruction and pony hire
• pony and donkey rides

If you hire out horses which are not ridden, you may need an animal exhibition licence.

Before making an application you should read through the DEFRA guidance notes below. It provides general and specific licence conditions that are attached to the licence and information on how to meet each required standard.

• Guidance notes for hiring out horses 2018 (PDF 359Kb)

How to apply

To apply for a licence you must read the Conditions for hiring our horses (PDF116Kb) before you download and complete the form below:

There is an application fee which you must be pay when you make your application. You can find full details on our fees page.

How to pay

You can send a cheque for the cost of the licence enclosed with your application form to:

Licensing Team
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Fred Perry House
Edward Street
Stockport
SK1 3XE

Or you can email your application to licensing@stockport.gov.uk.

If you have an invoice you can call 0161 474 4181 and ask for business support.

The inspection

Before we grant you a licence we must arrange for an inspection of your premises to make sure you meet current legislation. Cheshire East Council will carry out the inspection on our behalf and they may be accompanied by a vet. Once they're satisfied that you comply with the necessary requirements, we'll issue your licence awarding a star rating of up to 5 stars and up to 3 years in length.