3. Requirements of the Riding Establishments Acts
The Riding Establishments Acts set out certain requirements in respect of the construction, layout and management of the premises which must be met before the licence is issued or renewed.
- The licence holder
To obtain a licence the applicant must be over 18 years old and be sufficiently knowledgeable to manage a horse riding establishment to ensure the safety of staff and customers and the welfare of the horses.
This may be proven either:- By demonstrating an extensive knowledge of horse management gained through experience
- By holding one of the following qualifications:
British Horse Society Assistant Instructor, Instructor, or Fellowship Certificate,
Fellowship of the Institute of the Horse,
Association of British Riding Schools Teaching Certificate, Principals Diploma or Fellow of the Association.
Consideration may also be given to persons holding the BHS Horse Masters or Stable Managers certificate. - Employing a manager who meets the above criteria
- Supervision of the premises
No person under the age of 16 should be left in control of the establishment, be permitted to instruct or be in control of a lesson. - Supervision of rides
Persons put in charge of a ride or lesson must have sufficient experience for the task which they are required to undertake, be competent handlers of horses and either hold appropriate qualifications or have substantial practical experience.
Although circumstances may permit certain variations, it is recommended that the following instructor/student ratios are adhered to during riding.- Assistant instructor - four students
- Intermediate instructor - five to eight students
- Instructor - seven to 10 students
It is recommended that for hacks no more than six riders are under the care of one instructor, who must be at least 16 years old and competent to supervise a hack.
This does not prevent clients going out on individual hacks if the proprietor is satisfied that the client is competent to ride without supervision.
Significant variation from these ratios should only occur upon consideration by a person competent to make a decision based on experience and knowledge of riders, horses and the type of lesson being undertaken. Anyone taking charge of a ride on the road should have passed the BHS Riding and Road Safety test. - Supervision of group rides
Group rides must be adequately supervised taking into account the instructor /student ratios indicated above.
Additionally group rides must be organised so that:- The least experienced riders are on the quietest horses
- Riders with the least experience are in the middle of the ride
- Young or nervous horses are positioned on the inside of an older experienced horse. Under no circumstances must riders ride more than two abreast
- Experienced riders are always at the front of the ride
- Ride escorts must carry a lead rein, mobile phone and a small first aid kit. They must be familiar with basic first aid and carry a list of essential phone numbers, including riding establishment, vet and emergency services.
- Horses on the highway
Persons escorting groups of riders on the road should have passed the BHS Riding and Road Safety test. They must also be familiar with the Highway Code.
The horses must be ridden on the left hand side of the road. Riders must not be more than two abreast, (single file on bends), and there must be a drill for getting into single file quickly.
Groups should not exceed nine horses with novice riders remaining near to the kerb. Competent riders should take the head and rear of the group, asking traffic to slow down, and thanking those that do.
Riding on the road in conditions of poor visibility must be avoided wherever practical. Reflective tabards or cross belts should be worn by riders. Reflective spats are available for the horse's legs. Stirrup lights must be worn at night.
A procedure to be followed in the event of an accident must be established, for example:- Halt the ride in an orderly manner in a safe place
- Dismount and hand over the horse to a responsible person
- Delegate control procedures
- Position someone on either side of the accident to slow down and control traffic
- Apply first aid to the injured party or animal
- Call emergency services if required
- Record details of the incident in the accident book at the riding establishment. If relevant a BHS traffic accident report should be completed.
- If relevant, notify insurance company.
When leading a horse on the highway, either on foot or from another horse, the horse must be on the left hand side of the road, and led from the handlers left, placing the handler between the horse and the traffic. The horse being led must wear a bridle and if saddled must have the stirrups 'run up' and secured.
- Insurance
Proprietors of riding establishments must hold current insurance to cover clients and other third parties against accidental injury.
Construction and layout - stabling
Riding establishments must have accommodation suitable for the horses/ponies kept, in respect of construction, size, number of occupants, lighting, ventilation and drainage. Storage facilities must be available for forage, bedding, stable equipment and saddlery.There should be appropriate notices and signage displayed, as detailed in appendix one.
Stables must be sized so that the horse is able to lie down, get up, and walk around in comfort. Suitable dimensions for a loose box would be:-
- 3.7m x 4.3m (12ft x 14ft) for a large hunter
- 3.7m x 3.0m (12ft x 10ft) for a pony
Headroom must be adequate with a recommended minimum of 3m (10ft). The stable must be warm, dry and free from any projections likely to cause injury to the horse or attendant. Corrugated sheeting is a common cause of injury and should be avoided.
If asbestos sheeting is used as roofing material, it must be insulated.
Stable doors should be 1.2m (4ft) wide by 2.7m (7ft) high, be divided in two, open outwards or sideways and be fitted with anti-slide bolts and a kick latch at the bottom. (N.B. These dimensions may be adjusted for ponies.)
A suitable size for stalls is 1.8m (6ft) wide x 2.7m (9ft) deep, with a passage to the rear of the stall which has a minimum width of 1.8m (6ft). Dividing partitions should be 2m (6ft 6") high at the front and 1.5m (5ft) high at the rear.
Levels of natural light in the stable must be sufficient to allow grooming, etc. in the absence of artificial light. Where windows are glazed they must be protected by grilles or iron bars.
Electric light switches, light bulbs and fluorescent tubes must be out of the reach of horses and / or fitted with suitable guards.
Electric wiring must be regularly cleaned and fixed where it cannot be damaged by the horse. Ideally, rubber insulated cable should be enclosed in suitable conduit as ammonia fumes cause it to deteriorate.
Draught free ventilation must be provided. This can be achieved via louvres in the roof or walls which direct cold air upwards.
Floors must be well drained, impervious, sound and non-slip. Roughened concrete or blue brick is suitable.
Drainage gullies within the box are not recommended as they are prone to blockage and there is the potential for the horse to crack the cover and become trapped or injured.
- Construction/layout - exercise areas
The exercise area should be approximately 20m x 40m, and be flat and free from obstructions/distractions which could upset or alarm the horse.
Jumps must be constructed on level ground and take off and landing areas must be maintained regularly to ensure that they remain in good condition.
Jumps must be examined regularly to ensure that there are no split poles or protruding nails. When not in use, jumps must be stacked neatly, away from schooling area. Where jumps are erected there must be no poorly balanced or fixed jump wings. -
Construction/layout - indoor schools
The ground surface must be of a type which affords adequate footholds. Access should either be via a sliding door or a door which opens outwards. Inward opening doors must not impinge on the riding area.
The access doors must be kept closed at all times the school is in use and a notice indicating that entry should be made quietly and only after prior permission has been obtained, must be prominently displayed on the exterior of the building.
A kicking board 1.35m (4' 6") in height and which slopes outwards at an angle of approximately 10 degrees, must be fitted right around the perimeter of the school.
Obstructions or protrusions must be suitably protected, e.g. by rollers. Only authorised personnel should be permitted in the school. A special area should be set aside for spectators.
- Construction/layout - lunging ménage
Lunging must only be carried out in a fenced area by trained experienced personnel. Spectators must not be permitted in the area during lunging. - Construction/layout - collecting yard
The collecting yard is an area outside the stable blocks where the riders mount, dismount and prepare for riding lessons.
The yard must be level and well drained with adequate foothold and should be kept free from obstruction.
Access and egress points should be gated, so that in an emergency horses are held within the confines of the yard.
Access gates must be kept closed. - Construction/layout – grazing
Horses at grass must be provided with water at all times and with supplementary feeding when the grass is sparse.
For horses permanently at grass with winter supplements one acre per horse provides sufficient grazing.
Fencing should be of the post and rail type, (rails facing inwards), and should be around five feet high, (not less than four feet high).
The fencing must be regularly inspected and maintained to remove loose wire, protruding nails and split timber.
Some form of shelter from the elements must be provided. Adequate natural shelter is acceptable.
The horses must be visited at least once daily, droppings collected and the field inspected for any items that may have been dumped.
Ragwort must be removed and burnt outside the field.
Old baths should not be used as water troughs as they may cause cuts and bruising to the horse’s legs. - Fire
The provision of effective fire prevention measures are a requirement of the riding establishments licence. Riding establishments present a particularly high fire risk because buildings are generally of wooden construction and hay and straw are present in substantial quantities.
The fire prevention strategy should include:- A ban on smoking in all parts of the establishment.
- The provision of suitable fire fighting appliances
- A regular maintenance programme for fire extinguishers
- An effective evacuation procedure
- Clear and conspicuous signage indicating assembly points and evacuation procedures
- Staff training in the use of fire fighting equipment and in the evacuation procedure
- Information to visitors on action to be taken in the event of fire
- Suggested procedures and precautions are detailed in appendix two, 'fire precautions'
- Veterinary first aid / infectious disease control
The provision of veterinary first aid equipment on the premises is a requirement of the licence.
Drugs, medicines and treatments must be held in a locked cupboard and administered only by nominated competent personnel whose names must be displayed.
A safe system for the disposal of unwanted drugs and hypodermic syringes must be provided.
Facilities must be available for the isolation of a sick horse in the event of an outbreak of infectious disease.