Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency renews prohibition on riding stables in Perniö: Perniön maastoratsastus is not allowed to offer riding lessons or riding camps

The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) has prohibited private entrepreneur Katariina Kiviluoma from providing riding services. Kiviluoma has provided these services under the company name Perniön maastoratsastus. The stables must cease provision of riding lessons and riding camps without delay. Tukes also orders that the entrepreneur must remove her riding services from the market. This means that promotion of the services of Perniön maastoratsastus through magazine advertisements, on notice boards in grocery stores and on the company’s website must be ceased without delay.

Tukes has prohibited the operations because the services provided by the company are currently unsafe for customers. The safety arrangements are defective in terms of the arrangement of trail riding and the handling of the horses and equine equipment, for example. The service does not therefore comply with the requirements of the Consumer Safety Act (kuluttajaturvallisuuslaki, 920/2011). 

The main target groups of Perniön maastoratsastus are children, adolescents and untrained riders. The requirements for diligent implementation of services and anticipation of risks are especially strict in the case of services designed for children and the young. 

Previously, on 1 June 2020, Tukes issued a prohibition decision regarding the company Perran Ratsutila Ky. Perran Ratsutila Ky is managed by the same entrepreneur, who previously provided services of similar content and scope under similar conditions. In July, the entrepreneur transferred the riding service operations from Perran Ratsutila Ky to the other company, i.e. a sole proprietorship. 

Tukes prohibited the said company from providing the services. The services are not safe for the customers. Tukes instructs all customers who have booked a camp or a riding lesson to contact the service provider directly for a refund. The customers may also contact the Consumer Advisory Services as necessary.

Customers are also allowed to report dangerous services to Tukes

If you have been a customer in a service that you deem too dangerous, first contact the service provider directly to discuss the issue. If this does not rectify the situation, or if you feel that the risk is extremely high, report the issue to Tukes. You can use the form available on the Tukes website at https://marek.tukes.fi/ilmoitus.aspx.

The Consumer Safety Act states that consumer services must not be dangerous. Service providers have several statutory obligations designed to ensure the safety of the customers in the case of provided services. Tukes monitors the safety of consumer services.

Further information:
Kielo Kestinmäki, Senior Officer, tel. +358 29 505 2095
Inna Kulla, Senior Officer, attorney-at-law, tel. +358 29 505 2195
Email: [email protected]

Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency prohibits Perran ratsutila in Perniö from providing riding services (in Finnish)