Apply for a Horse Licence

A horse licence issued by the Animal Welfare Unit is legally required to keep a horse in Dublin City Council’s administrative area. Licences are issued under the condition that horses are kept at a specific location, which has been inspected and approved for this purpose by an appointed veterinary inspector.

Dublin City Council will only issue a licence where there are adequate facilities to ensure the safekeeping of the horse and where the requirements of the Control of Horses Act and the Control of Horses Bye Laws are satisfied.

A horse licence costs €32. Following submission of an application, the Animal Welfare Unit's veterinary officer will contact the horse owner to arrange an inspection.

To apply for a horse licence, download the application form below and submit it to:

Animal Welfare Unit,
Dublin City Council,
Civic Offices,
Block 2, Floor 3,
Wood Quay,
Dublin 8,
D08 RF3F.

Alternatively, you can request a paper application form from the same address.

Please note that your application for a horse licence will require the horse's microchip number.

EU legislation dictates that all horse owners must possess a horse passport to identify themselves as the owner of the animal and to have a detailed description of the animal, including its microchip number. Details of approved passport issuing bodies can be found on the gov.ie website.

Horse Drawn Carriages

Dublin City Council currently has no powers to regulate the licensing of vehicles drawn by horses for hire or reward. However, if you have a concern about the welfare of a horse that is drawing a carriage, please contact us.

Contact the Animal Welfare Unit

If you have any queries about applying for a horse licence, please contact the Animal Welfare Unit using the details below.