legislation will kill my horses, please help!

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champion44

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for 20 years I have run a horse sanctuary, to fund it I find 'mums' who pay £35 a week to have their own horse, ALL costs included. About 20 of the 100 equines bring in this amount and for all this time everyone has been very happy, the horses were cared for and loved, the children who couldn't otherwise have their own pony had that experience, our rent, feed bills, vet bills etc were paid. Now Stratford council say we are a riding establishment, and as such need a licence, I have incured costs of £1000 to do the necessary vetting etc, but the things we need to do are just not affordable, least of all providing a stable for each horse, although they all live out, except when ill, for which I am sure we would not obtain planning permission anyway. PLEASE can anyone come up with any ideas???? If we don't meet the legislation I will be prosecuted for acting outside the law. If I stop having 'mums' I have no income, cannot pay the rent on our 200acres, pay our £700 a week hay bill, our £3500 vet bill, etc etc. the horses are, by definition not saleable, most are not even re homeable.
This is not a welfare issue, there is NO question of the horses not being cared for, it is just red tape! but it will kill my horses! although to destroy them all will cost £50,000 which, needless to say I don't have!
The legislation is, rightly, in place to protect horses, in my case it will destroy them........WHAT CAN I DO???? to satisfy the council and keep the income to provide for them all.....HELP!!!!
 
What an awful dilemma for you, my only thought would be that if there are any barns existing on the property that you could use as large indoor turnout areas (ie stabling) I knew a riding school that kept many ponies overwintered in a large barn and it worked really well, also using field shelters as stabling where necessary if you have them.
 
Without knowing what the legislation actually says its hard to comment.

But, under what terms are they defining you a riding establishment?

Is it not possible to register as a charity and have people donate instead of 'loan'?
 
I can't see how you are a 'riding establishment' but I have a feeling this is a legal matter. Is suggest paying for BHS gold membership, or whw membership and take advantage of the legal helpline. I'm sure its possible, things like registering as a charity and your 'mums' being volunteers and them making donations. I think its really going to be down to the wording in paperwork. Best of luck.
 
We had to have this done on a 'city farm' I worked at, as you are using the horses for 'financial gain' (even if not at profit) I don't think there is any way you will get out of it (and I would worry how you managed to get insurance without it anyway). It is there for the welfare of the horses AND the riders.

Unless the legislation has changed in the last couple of years there was no need to provide stabling for EVERY animal, as long as you had stabling facilities and all animals had access to some shelter. I have done a quick check online and the application forms for the licenses haven't changed. :)

Do you have charitable status?
 
Im kinda getting the same feelings as TT from this post, if im wrong please accept my apologies, but it sounds like youve never kept yourself up to date with the required legislation, or found out about the legal ramifications of diversifying to pay costs. While the prospect of running a sanctuary is very noble, the reality of whats happening to you highlights why you must know what youre doing.
 
you original post states that you have a £700 pw hay bill

but that 20 horses are 'loaned' at £35 pw = £500 pw income.

so there must be other income too :confused:
 
ester said:
you original post states that you have a £700 pw hay bill

but that 20 horses are 'loaned' at £35 pw = £500 pw income.

so there must be other income too :confused:
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I take it Maths wasn't your favourite subject at school Ester?

35 x 20 = £700 ;) :D

But yes, I had realised that there must be some other income too.
 
OP - you may want to contact other organisations to see what they do to raise money.

I'm thinking of the smaller charitable operators such as Equine Market Watch and the Society for the Welfare of Horses & Ponies.

I'm sure there must be a way around this - I.e. Your mum's don't pay you - but make charitable contributions instead etc. But you'd need a specialist lawyer to help you out with that one I would imagine.

Also, what is your organisation called??

Good luck - and look forward to the link to the website.
 
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amymay said:
I'm sure there must be a way around this - I.e. Your mum's don't pay you - but make charitable contributions instead etc. But you'd need a specialist lawyer to help you out with that one I would imagine.
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It's the fact that the horses are being used 'for hire' that is the problem here, as I said if they are being ridden then you need a riding establishment license.

If people are truly 'adopting' it is different, but then they wouldn't be riding the horses and I don't think too many people would be willing to pay £140 a month for that.
 
lol I did it with 25 oops!

It was just that the op said 'without the mums I have no income'

I imagine legally it is quite complicated but that in essence it is all insurance related whether the riders are paying to have the horses or they make regular contributions but are regular 'volunteers'.
 
rhino said:
It's the fact that the horses are being used 'for hire' that is the problem here, as I said if they are being ridden then you need a riding establishment license.

If people are truly 'adopting' it is different, but then they wouldn't be riding the horses and I don't think too many people would be willing to pay £140 a month for that.
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It would be good if the OP could confirm whether the horses are being ridden or not.

But they seem to have gone......
 
And of course, Redwings is not far from you, either OP. Might be worth getting in touch to see what advice they can give you.
 
Just for anyone who asked (I'm presuming here) that this sanctuary is Friends Of Champ (or something along the same name lines?).

OP - I'd suggest you contact the BHS legal team. They know more about the specifics of this sort of thing.
 
Loopypony said:
Just for anyone who asked (I'm presuming here) that this sanctuary is Friends Of Champ (or something along the same name lines?).
Click to expand...

This place?
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/304740.html

If it is, then the horses are ridden, and a riding establishment license will indeed be needed.

Please read the links I posted OP, and contact the vets in your area that carry out the licensing - to the best of my knowledge there is NO requirement for individual stabling for all equines.

OP - apologies if this is not your centre but the advice still applies - feel free to pm me if you want any more info on the licensing process.
 
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Loopypony said:
Just for anyone who asked (I'm presuming here) that this sanctuary is Friends Of Champ (or something along the same name lines?).
Click to expand...

When Stratford was mentioned I assumed the OP meant the London borough. I looked at Friends of Champ which is based in Wotton Warwen very close to Stratford-upon-Avon but the village appears to be adjacent to Henley-in-Arden... No actual address on their website though.

The website of Friends of Champ does seem to have ridden horses (for the cost of £155pcm!! :eek: !). Any sign from the OP yet?
 
Those 'Mums' are effectively loaning your horses and you are not hiring them out for reward. Therefore you should be classed as a livery yard and not a riding school, and therefore do not need a licence (at the present time). So long as the 'Mums' have a loan contract and a livery contract with you, you should be fine I would think.

So what you do is draw up loan contracts and then charge them livery to keep the horses.
 
i live by friends of champ rescue and the OP does sound as If they were the owner.

The horses are ridden by being part loaned for £35 per week. My friend used to have one there.
 
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