Working (Rental) Horse License

All working horses need a license from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Office of Veterinary Public Health Services (VPHS).

All ponies, horses and other equines used for pony rides, horse rides, carriage rides, hayrides or other work for money must be licensed with VPHS. These activities must follow the NYC Horse Licensing and Protection Law.

• Carriage horses can work up to 9 hours in a day. They need a 15-minute rest for every 2 hours of pulling.
• Riding horses can work up to 8 hours in a day. They need a 15-minute rest for every hour of riding.
• Temperature restrictions horses cannot work if the temperature is above 90°F or below 18°F.

All horses can be checked by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement Unit, the Department of Sanitation, the New York City Police Department or other city agencies.

If horse owners do not follow the applicable laws they may get a Notice of Violation, be told to stop working the horse or have their animals taken away.

If you do not tell the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene about any changes in your horse's health, you cannot use the horse. The horse license and tag cannot be transferred to another horse. You must follow all federal and state regulations about bringing animals into the United States and New York State.

Horses kept as pets and not used for rental or carriage horse purposes do not need a license. However, owners and stable operators must show proof of current rabies vaccination if asked.

This information explains how to apply for a license, follow the regulations and meet the requirements for using a working horse in NYC. If you do not meet these conditions, your permit can be invalidated.

• Read the application packet: download the Working (Rental) Horse License Application packet. It has all the details you need to apply. Forms are included in this packet.
  Working (Rental) Horse License Application Packet (PDF)

• Get a health certificate: each horse needs a completed health certificate from a licensed and accredited veterinarian. The certificate must be issued within 30 days of your application. It should include vaccine details and test results. The veterinarian must sign the original document. No photocopies are allowed.
  Working (Rental) Horse Health Certificate (PDF)

• Read the rules: learn about the laws, regulations and operating requirement for working horses in New York City.
  Rules for Working Horses in New York City

• Care for sick or injured horses: sick, diseased, injured or distressed horses cannot work. If a horse gets sick or hurt while working, get veterinarian care right away.
  Caring for Working Horses in NYC

• Supervise your horse: a handler must always supervise the horse.

• Pay outstanding fines: pay any fines for Health Code Violations before applying or renewing your permit. You can pay in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection or online.
  Pay Outstanding Fines Online
  
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Have a valid email address: you need a valid email address if applying online.

• Pay the permit fee: the permit fee is $25.00.

• Accepted payment methods:

  • Personal check (in person)
  • Certified check (in person)
  • Government check (in person)
  • Money order (in person)
  • American Express (online or in person)
  • Discover (online or in person)
  • Mastercard (online or in person)
  • Visa (online or in person)

Horse health certificate

• Submit a signed Horse Health Certificate every year to renew your horse license.
• The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) must get the original certificate.
• You can hand deliver or mail the certificate.
• Without this certificate, you cannot renew the license.
  Rental Horse Certificate of Health (PDF)

Online renewals

• Renew your license online: using the NYC Online Licensing system.
• Register first to use the online system.
• Pay any fines before renewing; you can pay fines online.
• To renew online for the first time, use the Personal Identification Number (PIN) from your Renewal Notice. The PIN links your records to one online account. You only need to link each permit or license record once.
• If you do not have your Renewal Notice, get your PIN by completing an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311.
  PIN Request Form

Other permits and licenses

• A DOHMH Horse License does not cover all the permits and licenses you might need from other City and State Agencies.
• Apply for all other required permits, licenses and authorizations.
• If you do not follow all the rules, your DOHMH permits may be suspended until you show proof of compliance.

• Apply and pay online: you can apply and pay online. However, you must mail or hand deliver the horse's original Health Certificate to the DOHMH Office of Veterinary Public Health Services. No photocopies are allowed.
  
  For hand delivery:
  NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  Office of Veterinary Public Health Services
  22 Cortlandt St., 34th Floor
  New York, NY 10007
  
  By mail:
  NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  Office of Veterinary Public Health Services
  125 Worth St., Box CN66
  New York, NY 10013
  Rental Horse Certificate of Health (PDF)

• Create an account: create an account with the NYC Online Licensing system. You can save and return to your application later. Have your credit or debit card ready for payment.

• Select horse license: enter the required information. Fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Upload the necessary documents.

• Pay with a credit or debit card: complete the application by paying with a credit or debit card.

• Schedule an inspection: an inspection of your facility will be scheduled within 15 business days. If not inspected within 15 days, contact the DOHMH Bureau of Veterinary Public Health Services at 646-632-6604. You need to pass the inspection to get a permit.

• Apply and pay at the DCWP Licensing Center: you can apply and pay in person. However, you must mail or hand deliver the horse's original Health Certificate to the DOHMH Office of Veterinary Public Health Services. No photocopies are allowed.
  
  For hand delivery:
  NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  Office of Veterinary Public Health Services
  22 Cortlandt St., 34th Floor
  New York, NY 10007
  
  By mail:
  NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  Office of Veterinary Public Health Services
  125 Worth St., Box CN66
  New York, NY 10013
  Horse Health Certificate (PDF)

• Submit the application and payment: submit the completed application form and payment in person at the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center.
  Working (Rental) Horse License Application Packet (PDF)
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004