Concerned about a riding school where to report it?

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angel7

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I've become aware of a riding school that has been recently opened in my area and I'm concerned for the safety of those who are riding there. The person running the school has no equestrian qualifications at all but is giving lessons and teaching horse care, pony rides, pony parties etc. She says she has insurance to cover her business but I find this hard to believe. How could she could get full public liability for teaching without any trained staff? and wouldn't the cost be more than any profit she could make from 4 ponies?
There have been accidents recently where one child fell off and broke her arm, and another has possibly fractured her spine.
The place is licensed by the local council, but all this involved as far as I can see was a fee to pay, a form to fill and a cursory vet inspection. I have no big issues with the care of the horses, they seem well, and the place is spotless with good fencing etc.
The school is not BHS registered, or ABRS approved.
Concerns I have are: Children leading other children out on rides on busy roads.
Leading on the road with the child on the inside and the horse on the outside.
Ill fitting hats and body protectors on everybody.
Peacock stirrups being used by everyone including adults.
Stirrup leathers the incorrect length most of the time.
Teaching children to brush the tail by standing directly behind the pony!
Haynets being tied at a perfect height for ponies to get feet caught.
The standard of lessons being given to absolute novices on unschooled ponies.
Should I just mind my own business?? Don't want to come across as an interfering busybody. The council's animal control who issue the licenses are only concerned about the horses, not the poor kids being put in danger by untrained staff.
Suggestions?
 
The council will be the ones to approach, unfortunately there are a range of different standards set by varying authorities.

Insurance is a pre-requisite for Council licensing (it can be a real pain when starting out as each one requires the other). Unfortunately there is no necessity to be qualified to get insurance to teach.

Although the BHS may be able to offer you further guidance, it is unlikely there is anything they will be able to do themselves. BHS approval signifies a higher level of standards than the basic council licensing but ultimately they do not currently have any legal standpoint.
 
BVoyager said:
If it's not registered to BHS or it isn't ABRA approved but trading, then report it to those bodies.
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You don't have to be though, nor do you have to have any qualified staff. the council are the only ones you can contact I think OP.
 
I'm pretty sure there's nothing you can do here and honestly I would just let it be. If they are licensed by the council they have insurance and aren't doing anything illegal. If you do want to do something, it sounds like it would be more productive to get involved and help them than to make enemies to no end.
 
That the problem though Barnacle, they see nothing wrong in what they are doing but do not want help as they think they know best.
Making an enemy is the last thing I'm concerned about but preventing another child getting paralysed or even killed would be a better end.

Thank for the advice. Will watch from afar for now.
Maybe moot now as I hear the victims' families are approaching lawyers...
 
If you are in the UK call your local council. They are the licensing authority and have to check various aspects (Health and Safety, welfare of horses, insurance cover, conditions for employees if any and qualifications of the person in charge. If they say there is nothing to be concerned about and you still have concerns, maybe speak to the BHS about them, even if they are nowhere near being approved, BHS is the overseeing organisation for equines and equestrian businesses. They might very well discuss your concerns with the council?
 
Whatever you do and whoever you complain to choose the biggest issues and push those as your list does unfortunately sound like a personal dig at the place/owner as opposed to genuine concerns
 
Yeah I was thinking more along the lines of you won't be able to do anything if they don't want anything to do with you. But if they already think they know what they are doing, it's pointless. I imagine it's only a matter of time before they do get into serious trouble - particularly if, as you say, the families are starting to lawyer up (good on them).
 
A serious accident should have been reported to the H&S Executive, not sure about broken arms, but there has to be an accident book.
The LA usually act for the H&S except in fatalities, but you can report them directly to the H&S.
 
WelshD said:
Whatever you do and whoever you complain to choose the biggest issues and push those as your list does unfortunately sound like a personal dig at the place/owner as opposed to genuine concerns
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I would agree. I wouldn't be talking about things like peacock stirrups for adults, for example, nor about ill-fitting body protectors - if they have everyone in body protectors they're doing better than most.

Falls can happen anywhere, to anyone, with horses. It's an accepted risk. There would need to be negligence on the part of the YO.
 
Nothing the OP has listed has anything to do with licensing aspect of the premises or the Riding Establishment Act.
 
You will find all schools have a ride at your own risk policy. They are not governed by risk assessment and the licence is issued under the Riding Establishment Act 74. I am a LO and deal with schools across a large county.
 
AdorableAlice said:
You will find all schools have a ride at your own risk policy. They are not governed by risk assessment and the licence is issued under the Riding Establishment Act 74. I am a LO and deal with schools across a large county.
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Our local RS [BHS approved] has one, but it is part of a country estate business, and H&S Inspector was not prepared to pass inspection, which in turn was essential for insurance purposes. To let you know how switched on they are, he requested trotting poles be removed from arena as they are a tripping hazard!
 
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I have seen things like this at approved riding schools too. And at seaside pony rides, and dealers yards. Just because someone came off doesnt make it a bad place- we used to fall off all the time and just laughed. At least the kids sound like theyr having fun and are around horses. Whats wrong with peacock stirrups anyway? I thought they were safer than standard ones.
 
As mentioned in a link further up, whether the rs is bhs approved or not there does have to be someone qualified (although can just be sat in the office and never teach) on site whenever lessons are taking place. I'm an AI who only freelances and have done cover for RS that have been in between instructors.
 
I think they can be qualified either by recognised qualifications though, or by experience with horses- and who decides what is 'experienced'?
 
I know a long term riding school (20+ years) that certainly had and has no one with an AI minimum on site. For a long period of time it would have been no BHS or other qualifications at all (there are now a few with various stages and one PT AI so I don't think you need recognised qualifications.
 
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