Owning horses involves transporting them from time to time, whether to horse riding events, to a livery business or to the vets. Horse transportation must always be done safely and in accordance with legal requirements to ensure the safety of the animal.
The transportation of horses is covered by the following legislation:
This applies to anyone who is transporting an animal in connection with an economic activity, ie. where animals are transported as part of a business. The Order therefore applies to the transportation of horses as part of, for instance, a professional riding, livery or stabling business, and sets out detailed provisions in relation to various matters as follows.
There is an obligation on anyone engaged in the handling and transportation of animals to do so in a way that does not, or is not likely to cause them undue suffering or injury.
There is a requirement that transport used for the transportation of horses is designed, constructed, maintained and operated to avoid suffering and injury, and to ensure the safety of horses.
The relevant factors/requirements include:
Where the journey time exceeds 8 hours, the vehicles and containers used for the transport must be inspected and approved.
The horse must be fit for the journey before the journey starts, and must remain sufficiently fit throughout the journey. There are related requirements surrounding feed, water, journey times and rest periods, as well as provisions relating to the treatment of a sick horse.
There are specific requirements in relation to the handling of horses. Where a horse is transported over 65km and the journey time is up to eight hours, the person transporting the horse is required to hold a valid certificate of competence.
Where a horse is transported up to 65km the horse must be accompanied by an Animal Transport Certificate. Furthermore, where a horse is transported over 65km and the journey time is up to eight hours, the person transporting the horse is required to hold a valid transporter authorisation. Where the journey time is over eight hours the horse or horses must be accompanied by a journey log.
There are also requirements for navigation systems for exporters.
Horses that are registered with a recognised breed society, or certain organisations such as the British Horse Database at Wetherby’s, are exempt from many of these requirements.
Under these Regulations, an Operator’s licence is required to drive a horse box or lorry with a maximum authorised mass of over 3.5 tonnes, or an unladen weight of over 1525kg – if the horse box or lorry is used in connection with a business, or in connection with any form of commercial activity.
Under the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999, a category C1 driving licence is needed to tow a horse box where the maximum authorised mass exceeds 3.5 tonnes (but not 7.5 tonnes). If it does exceed 7.5 tonnes, a category C driving licence is required.
You must also remember the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which contains a number of general provisions relating to the welfare of animals. You have a general duty of care to ensure the horse’s well-being – including when you are transporting your horse.
Nicola is a dual qualified journalist and non-practising solicitor. She is a legal journalist, editor and author with more than 20 years' experience writing about the law.
When you submit your details, you'll be in safe hands. Our partners are National Accident Helpline (a brand of National Accident Law, a firm of personal injury solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority). They are the UK's leading personal injury service. Their friendly legal services advisers will call you to talk about your claim and give you free, no-obligation advice. National Accident Law may pay us a marketing fee for our services.
By submitting your personal data, you agree for your details to be sent to National Accident Law so they can contact you to discuss your claim.
If you win your case, your solicitor's success fee will be taken from the compensation you are awarded - up to a maximum of 25%. Your solicitor will discuss any fees before starting your case.
