The owner of a riding school in Wirral has been prosecuted for providing paid-for lessons without a licence.
Karen Shaw, the owner of Larton Riding School based at Frankby Stiles, pleaded guilty at Wirral Magistrates Court in Birkenhead to offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
These offences related to the activity of hiring out horses for riding and instruction without the required licence in place.
Wirral Council’s Environmental Health team had been notified of an accident involving a child falling from a horse during a paid riding lesson at Larton Riding School on 22 July 2021.
Officers visited Larton Riding School to investigate and found evidence that horses were being hired out for riding and instruction without the relevant licence in place for the period 1 – 23 July 2021 and 14 September 2021.
The court imposed a fine of £250, awarding the Council £1,000 in costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
More information about animal health licensing can be found at: https://www.wirral.gov.uk/licences-and-permits/animal-licences/animal-establishment-licensing 
Image: Stefanie Poepken
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