Equine Updates April 2021
When hiring horses for any event, or including owner riders in any way, it is important to make sure that all equines have the correct paperwork. Equines must be microchipped and have a passport.
With Brexit there are also new rules for taking equines abroad.
Microchipping in Horses
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs published a law on 25th June 2018 stating that from October 2020 it will be mandatory for all owners to microchip their horses, ponies and donkeys.
Horse Passports
Each animal must have its own equine passport which:
- Describes the animal e.g. breed, colour, species
- Lists all vaccinations
- Names the registered owner
A valid passport must be with the animal at all times. This includes at its stable and when it is moved.
Exporting Horses and Ponies
Current rules for exporting or moving equines from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland were published on 7th November 2016 and updated on 31st March 2021. The following link gives full details but be aware your horse will need to have blood tests taken and you may require more time to plan travel through an EU border control posts.
Also see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-horses-and-ponies-special-rules