Working (Rental) Horse License
All working horses must have a license which is issued by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Office of Veterinary Public Health Services (VPHS).
All ponies, horses and other equines used in pony rides, horse rides, carriage rides, hayrides, or other work for profit, are considered rental horses and must be licensed with the office of VPHS. All such rental horse activities, including pony rides, must comply with the NYC Horse Licensing and Protection Law. Carriage horses shall not work more than 9 hours in any continuous 24-hour period, with a rest period of 15 minutes for every 2 pulling hours. Riding horses shall not work more than 8 hours in any continuous 24-hour period, with a rest of 15 minutes per riding hour. Whenever the air temperature reaches a high of 90°F or a low of 18°F, riding and carriage horses shall not be worked.
All horses are subject to inspection by employees or agents of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the American Society of People against Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)'s Humane Law Enforcement Unit, Department of Sanitation, New York City Police Department, or any other appropriate City agencies. Horse owners who do not comply with applicable laws and the above conditions may be closed, issued a Notice of Violation, ordered to cease working the horse and/or have their animals confiscated.
Failure to notify the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene of any changes in health of the animal will invalidate the right to use the animal. A horse license and the tag that is issued with each license are not transferable from one animal to another. All federal and state regulations regarding importation of animals into the United States and New York State must be adhered to.
Horses that are kept as pets and not used for rental or carriage horse purposes do not need a license. However, horse owners, and the horse stable operator where the horse is kept, must be able to provide proof of current rabies vaccination for the horse upon request.
The information on this page is designed to explain the application, regulatory compliance, and requirements for using a working horse in NYC. There are explicit conditions under which animals may be used for commercial purposes and failure to meet these conditions can invalidate the permit.
Read or download the Working (Rental) Horse License Application packet for detailed guidance on the requirements and documentation needed to apply for this license. Forms are included in this packet.
Prior to approving a horse license application to allow a horse to work in New York City, each horse must have a complete and appropriately filled-out health certificate from an accredited, licensed veterinarian issued within 30 days of the submission of the application. The health certificate will include type and name of vaccines [serial number, if applicable] and tests administered, e.g., Coggins, etc. The veterinarian must also provide his or her license number and signature on the original document. No photocopies will be accepted.
Read about the laws, regulations and operating requirements for horses working in New York City.
Sick, diseased, injured, or distressed horses may not be worked. In the event that an animal becomes sick or injured while working, the operator must seek immediate veterinary care for the animal. Owners must arrange for local, on-call veterinary emergency care.
All outstanding fines imposed for Health Code Violations must be paid before you can apply for or renew a permit issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Fines may be paid in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center or Online.
List of accepted payment methods.
- Personal Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene - when applying in person)
- Certified Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene when applying in person)
- Government Check (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene when applying in person)
- Money Order (made payable to the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene when applying in person)
- American Express (accepted when applying online or in person)
- Discover (accepted when applying online or in person)
- MasterCard (accepted when applying online or in person)
- Visa (accepted when applying online or in person)
An original, signed Horse Health Certificate must be submitted annually for the horse license to be renewed. Owners will not be able to renew the horse's license if the original certificate is not received by the DOHMH Office of Veterinary Public Health Services. The original certificate must be hand delivered or mailed before the license will be renewed.
Renewals may be submitted online via the NYC Online Licensing system. Registration is required. You will not be permitted to renew a permit if you have outstanding fines. You can pay fines online before renewing.
To renew online for the first time, you will need the Personal Identification Number (PIN) found on your Renewal Notice for each permit or license you hold. The PIN will allow you to link your existing records to one single online account. You only need to use your PIN to link to each permit or license record once.
If you do not have access to your Renewal Notice, you may obtain your PIN(s) by completing an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311.
Applying for a DOHMH Horse License does not satisfy regulatory requirements of other City and State Agencies. It is the business owner's responsibility to apply for all other permits, licenses, and authorizations required. Failure to comply with all relevant regulations, including those under the jurisdiction of other Agencies, may result in suspension of DOHMH permits until proof of compliance is provided. To view relevant Rules of the City of New York click on the link below.
RCNY Title 24 Chapter 4: Health, Safety and Well-Being of Rental Horses
You may apply and pay for a license online. However, the horse’s original completed Health Certificate must be mailed or hand delivered to the DOHMH Office of Veterinary Public Health Services. Photocopies will not be accepted.
For Hand Delivery:
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Office of Veterinary Public Health Services
22 Cortlandt Street, 34th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10007
By Mail:
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Office of Veterinary Public Health Services
125 Worth Street, Box CN66
New York, N.Y. 10013
You may apply and pay for a license at the DCWP Licensing Center. However, the horse's original completed Health Certificate must be mailed or hand delivered to the DOHMH Office of Veterinary Public Health Services. Photocopies will not be accepted.
For Hand Delivery:
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Office of Veterinary Public Health Services
22 Cortlandt Street, 34th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10007
By Mail:
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Office of Veterinary Public Health Services
125 Worth Street, Box CN66
New York, N.Y. 10013
Submit the completed application form and payment in person at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center.
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets: Animal Regulations
Health Code Changes Affecting Animals and Animal Businesses
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Animal Welfare Information Center
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Importation
RCNY Title 24 Chapter 4: Health, Safety and Well-Being of Rental Horses