What does BHS approved mean for a livery yard?

The British Horse Society's approval scheme for livery yards, why it exists, and what it does and doesn't tell you.

There is no licence for running a livery yard in England. Councils license riding schools and businesses that hire out horses under the animal activity licensing rules, but a yard that only keeps other people's horses doesn't need a licence. That's why the British Horse Society runs a voluntary approval scheme.

What approval involves

Yards apply to the BHS and are inspected against its standards for horse welfare, facilities, safety and management, and are re-inspected regularly. Approved yards are listed in the BHS directory.

What it tells you

A BHS approved yard has been inspected and met a published standard. That's useful, particularly if you're new to an area.

What it doesn't

Approval is voluntary and paid for, so plenty of good yards aren't in the scheme, especially small family DIY yards. It doesn't tell you the price, what's included, or whether there's winter turnout. Visit, ask the liveries, and compare.

On our county pages you can filter for BHS approved yards, alongside everything else.