If you’re thinking of travelling abroad with your horses or ponies it’s not as complicated as you may think. It is easy to take your horses abroad in a Lehel horsebox either for a holiday or to compete in an event.

If you’re crossing the water you need to go by ferry as horses are not allowed on the Eurotunnel. Ferry companies charge by the length of your vehicle and need to be told in advance that you will have horses on board. Always remember to phone ahead on the day of travel to make sure there are no delays or rough weather. Ferry companies will not allow horses to travel if the sea is rough.

The most popular crossing are:

• Dover to Calais
• Newhaven to Dieppe
• Harwich to the Hook of Holland
• Hull to Rotherdam
• Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire
• Pembroke to Rosslare
• Stranraer to Belfast

If you are travelling a long distance then there are stables you can book to stop for a rest on the way. Here is a list of some of the places to overnight your horses in Europe:

Ireland

Taking your horses over to Northern Ireland is very easy. Once again, you need to inform the ferry company that you have horses on board. They will then inform the vet in the port who will need to inspect your horse to make sure it is fit to travel. You need to ensure that there is no loose hay or straw in your lorry as this is not permitted on a ferry to Northern Ireland. Sealed bags of hay and feed are OK as are loose shavings.

France

To take your horses to France you need an Export Licence which you can get from DEFRA. You will need to include the value of your horses. For France, registered horses do not need a TRACES document as all horses now have passports the health certificate is no longer required.

Other

Horses travelling to the rest of Europe need an export licence and a TRACES document. You or your vet can apply to DEFRA for the health certificate for the country your horse is travelling to. The certificate will be sent directly to your vet and you will need to make an appointment with him or her for the horse to be inspected no more than 48 hours before it leaves the UK. You will be asked to show this at the port but it will be returned it to you as you will need this in your destination country. When you come back to the UK, you will need a health certificate to be issued and signed in your destination country. (again not applicable for France or Ireland).

It is also a good idea to have a route plan to show that your animals are being transported under the Welfare of Animals Transport Order 1997. This is a form you can get from DEFRA. The form will be stamped by DEFRA and you will complete it during your journey and keep for 6 months afterwards.

Horses travelling to or through Switzerland or Norway are subject to customs clearance and will need to travel on an ATA Carnet. This allows them to travel free of taxes or duties.

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