The Horse Transport Rules That Could Catch You Out

In a recent episode of the Thoroughbred Breeders' podcast, host Naomi was joined by Kevin Needham and Sandra Harper from BBA Shipping to break down exactly what you need to know about equine transport regulations.

Legislation is changing on both sides of the Channel; now is the time to make sure you're across all of it. Here are the key takeaways:

• Your two-box is probably overweight. Two horses, people, a full tank of diesel, water, and tack all add up faster than you'd think and a standard two-box may not be able to carry it all legally. Getting pulled onto a weighbridge with horses on board is a very different situation to offloading a standard load. The fines are significant too.
• Tachographs are coming for three-and-a-half tonners. They're not required in the UK yet, but the EU is introducing legislation requiring non-EU vehicles entering France or Ireland to have one fitted. A retrofit will set you back around £3,000, plus driver digital cards, CPC certification, and downloading software on top.
• Employing someone to drive? Driver's hours rules apply. A maximum of nine hours driving per day (extendable to ten, twice a week), with a 45-minute break after every four and a half hours. It's not something most studs have historically thought about but it does matter.
• Welfare certificates aren't optional on commercial journeys. Whether you’re heading to the races or sending a mare for covering, your driver must be certified.
• UK certificates don’t cover you in the EU. If you’re heading to Ireland or France, you’ll need a separate EU certification for both driver and vehicle.
• Two boxes need fans and temperature recording for long journeys. If you're doing journeys over eight hours commercially, the vehicle itself needs to meet welfare standards, which means ventilation fans and temperature monitoring equipment as a minimum.

More information is available: 

Catch the full episode on the Thoroughbred Breeders' podcast - available on all major podcast platforms.

Check out this video on TB-Ed to learn more about how to transport mares and foals.