DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE  
ANIMAL INDUSTRY DIVISION  
REGULATION NO. 154. RIDING STABLES AND SALES BARNS  
(By authority conferred on the director of agriculture by section 2 of Act No. 93 of the  
Public Acts of 1974, being S287.112 of the Michigan Compiled Laws)  
R 285.154.1 Definitions.  
Rule 1. (1) The terms defined in the act have the same meanings when used in these  
rules.  
(2) "Act" means Act No. 93 of the Public Acts of 1974, being S287.111 et seq. of the  
Michigan Compiled Laws.  
(3) "Director" means the director of the department of agriculture or his authorized  
representative.  
(4) "Facility" means a riding stable or a sales barn, or both.  
(5) "Licensee" means a person, firm, or corporation licensed as a riding stable or sales  
barn.  
(6) "Standards" means the requirements as set forth in the act and these rules.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.2 Scope.  
Rule 2. Except as limited by section 5 of the act, the department may confer with the  
owner or operator of a riding stable or sales barn at  
administration of the act or these rules.  
any time to further the  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.3 Licensing.  
Rule 3. (1) A person, firm, or corporation operating, or desiring to operate, a riding  
stable or sales barn shall apply for a license on an application form secured from the  
department. The completed application shall be filed with the department.  
(2) A copy of these rules shall be attached to each application for a license. The  
applicant shall acknowledge receipt of the rules and agree to comply with them by  
signing a form provided for that purpose. The signed form shall accompany the  
application for a license.  
(3) Before a license is issued, an applicant shall demonstrate that his facility complies  
with the standards set forth in these rules. If the applicant's facility does not comply  
with the standards, the applicant shall be advised in writing of the deficiencies  
which exist and the corrective measures which shall be completed before a license is  
issued.When an existing facility does not comply with the standards, the director may  
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issue a temporary permit to operate the facility for a specified period of time. This  
period of time shall not exceed 90 days for the facility to be brought into  
compliance with the standards. While operating under a temporary permit, the rules of  
sanitation and humane treatment of the animals set forth in these rules shall be  
complied with.  
(4) A licensee shall notify the department promptly of changes in name, address,  
management, or substantial control of ownership of his business or operation.  
(5) A person whose license has been suspended or revoked shall not be licensed in  
any manner during the period in which the order of suspension or revocation is in effect.  
A partnership, firm, or corporation in which such a person has a substantial financial  
interest shall not be licensed during that period. A person who has been an officer,  
agent, or employee of the licensee whose license has been revoked, and who was  
responsible for, or participated in, the violation upon which the order of suspension  
or revocation was based, shall not be licensed during the period in which the order of  
suspension or revocation is in effect.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.4 Records.  
Rule 4. Records shall be maintained pursuant to section 5 of the act.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.5 Shelter; box stalls and pens; slip stall or tie areas.  
Rule 5. (1) A facility shall provide a shelter or barn which is large enough to  
comfortably accommodate all animals during inclement weather. This shelter shall be  
structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect an animal from injury. The  
construction of the shelter shall provide for proper drainage so that the floor can be  
maintained in a dry condition.  
(2) Box stalls and pens shall be of adequate size and height to allow animals to move  
about in a normal manner and to lie down comfortably.  
(3) Slip stalls or tie areas shall provide adequate room for an animal to stand normally  
and to lie down comfortably.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.6 Tack.  
Rule 6. (1) Equipment shall be kept in satisfactory repair and condition so that it will not  
cause undue stress, pain, or injury when used on the animals.  
(2) Tack shall be kept clean to prevent the spread of disease or ectoparasites.  
(3) The storage area for tack shall be kept clean and be so constructed that it can be  
maintained properly. Debris shall not be allowed to accumulate in this area.  
History: 1979 AC.  
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R 285.154.7 Sanitation.  
Rule 7. (1) An effective program for the control of insects, ectoparasites, and  
vermin shall be established and maintained.  
(2) Provision shall be made for the removal and proper disposal of animal wastes  
and debris. Dead animals shall be immediately removed and properly disposed of.  
(3) The floor of the shelter or barn shall be kept dry, clean, and bedded to provide  
comfort to the animals.  
(4) Buildings housing animals shall be properly ventilated to prevent the harmful  
accumulation of ammonia and condensation of moisture.  
(5) Manure piles shall not be allowed to accumulate to the point where they create an  
insect or vermin problem.  
(6) A sales barn shall be completely cleaned of manure and debris between each  
sales day. An approved method of disinfection shall be conducted between each  
sales day.  
(7) Buildings and grounds included in the premises shall be kept clean and in good  
repair in order to protect the animals from injury and to facilitate the prescribed  
husbandry practices set forth in these rules. The premises shall remain free of  
accumulated debris.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.8 Animals to be kept in compatible groups.  
Rule 8. (1) Animals shall be kept in compatible groups so that undue injury is not  
inflicted upon animals by other animals. Animals shall not be kept from their share of  
feed and water by boss or dominant animals.  
(2) Stallions shall be confined in enclosures which are structurally sound so that the  
animal is kept separate from other animals under all conditions except for breeding  
and riding purposes at which times the stallion shall be under the control of the  
handler or rider.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.9 Employees.  
Rule 9. A sufficient number of employees shall be used to maintain the prescribed  
level of husbandry practices set forth in these rules.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.10 Feed and water.  
Rule 10. (1) An animal shall be supplied daily with feed of sufficient quantity and  
nutritive value to meet the normal maintenance requirements for that animal. When  
animals are kept in groups, care shall be taken to provide adequate space and  
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accessibility so that each animal receives his share of the feed and is not deprived of  
that share by boss or dominant animals.  
(2) An animal shall be provided with an adequate amount of clean water daily. A  
watering receptacle shall be so constructed that an animal can drink freely. The  
receptacle shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.  
(3) A feed receptacle shall be easily accessible for an animal. A feed receptacle shall  
be maintained in a sanitary condition and in good repair to prevent injury to animals.  
Grain shall be fed only in a feed receptacle.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.11 Exercise.  
Rule 11. An animal shall be provided adequate exercise daily.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.12 Disease or injury.  
Rule 12. (1) Approved practices of disease control shall be followed. An animal,  
exhibiting symptoms, or known to be a carrier of a communicable disease, shall be  
separated from susceptible animals in an approved manner so as to prevent the spread of  
the disease.  
(2) An animal that has an injury, disease, or other infirmity shall not be ridden or driven  
if doing so could cause it undue pain, suffering, or discomfort.  
(3) Proper medical attention shall be given to an animal suffering from injury or  
disease.  
(4) An animal suffering from a terminal condition shall be humanely destroyed by  
accepted methods.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 285.154.13 Veterinary service.  
Rule 13. The services of a licensed veterinarian shall be available to the licensee and  
the name of the veterinarian shall appear on the application for license.  
History: 1979 AC.  
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