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Transporting Horses
Accepting any form of payment for transporting
horses without an Operators Licence and the correct hire and reward insurance
is illegal under The Goods Vehicles (Enforcement Powers) Regulations 2001.
The Vehicle Inspectorate can seize any horsebox with a gross plated weight of
more than 3.5 tonnes or an unladen weight of more than 1,525kg found to be
contravening the legislation. Further information and advice is available from
the Vehicle Inspectorate's national helpline, tel: 0870 6060 440.
The Welfare of Animals During Transport Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005
The new
transport regulation came into force on 5 January 2007, and applies across the
European Union (EU). Some elements of the regulation do not come into force
until 2008 (Competency Certificates) or
later. The regulations aim to improve the welfare of animals during
transportation and to bring consistency across the European Union.
It is important to note the regulation requires everyone transporting animals to
ensure all animals are fit for the intended journey. Journey times should be
kept to a minimum. Those handling animals are trained and competent. The vehicle
and its loading/unloading facilities are designed, constructed and maintained to
avoid injury and suffering. Water, feed and rest are given to the animals as
required, and sufficient space and height is allowed.
Will the regulations affect me?
The Regulation does not apply to the transport of animals:
· Where the transport is not in connection with an economic activity
· Transport to or from veterinary practices under veterinary advice
· When an individual horse is transported by its owner, or other responsible
person (likewise two horses, accompanied by two such persons).
· Transportation of horses by hobby breeders, where income source does not
exceed expenses of hobby.
Horses transported to competitions or shows for pleasure, even when they win
minor cash prizes, are not deemed to be covered by the regulation. However this
must not be part of the transporters business but related to their hobby.
Likewise, individuals attending competitions for pleasure who share the cost of
petrol, but where no profit is made by the individual carrying out the
transport, are excluded from the regulation providing that every horse is
accompanied by a person who has responsibility for its welfare (for example, 2
horses would need to be accompanied by 2 people).
However, if a haulier is paid to move a horse to attend a show or competition
for pleasure, then that would require the haulier to have applied for the
necessary authorisations and comply with the new regulations.
What is an economic activity?
The regulation does not define ‘economic’ activity but indicates it to be any
transport of animals undertaken as part of a business or commercial activity,
which aims at achieving financial gain, whether direct or indirect, for any
person or company involved with transport.
Examples include:
· Commercial hauliers
· professional horse racers
· animals being transported to be sold as part of a business
· those who move horses in connection with professional riding and livery
Journey requirements
If you transport horses over 65km in connection with an economic activity you
need to apply for a transporter’s authorisation.
Transporter’s authorisations are issued by the state veterinary service. They
are currently free and will last for 5 years, the forms and guidance can be
found on Defra’s website
www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare
When
animals within the scope of the regulation are transported to shows/competitions
the period at the show is considered ‘neutral’ time and is not included in the
journey time. The journey time is the combined time to and from the show.
From 5 January 2008 the regulation requires mandatory certification of
competence for the transport of horses over 65km, in connection with an economic
activity. Transporter or attendant must have received appropriate training and
hold a certificate of competence. Details of nominated awarding bodies are to be
made available on the Defra website.
Journeys up to 65km
Transporters are not required to have vehicle authorisation or training and
certificates of competence. However transporters must comply with the rules on
fitness to travel, means of transport and transport practices.
Short
Journeys - over 65km and up to 8 hours require:
· Transporters authorisation (from 5 January 2007)
· Competency certificates (from Jan 2008)
Long Journeys – journeys over 8 hours will require:
· Long journey transporters authorisation (from 5 January 2007)
· Competency certificates (from Jan 2008)
There are also a number of further requirements for long journeys over 8 hours.
A vehicle used for transporting horses or farmed animals must be inspected and
approved. Contingency plans must be in place in case of emergencies and a
Journey Log must have been completed (for journeys of unregistered horses and
livestock) where the journey is going outside the UK.
“Registered horses” are those registered in studbooks or with international
organisations managing competitions.
Rules on Drivers Hours & Tachographs - Goods Vehicles in the
UK & Europe
Quick Guide to towing Small Trailers
GV74
The Safe
Operators Guide
EQI_1107 Diving Licence requirements for Horseboxes
Further information
Defra -
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare
State
Veterinary Service -
0845 603 8395
wit@svs.gsi.gov.uk
Competency Certificates
Drivers or attendants
responsible for the transport of farmed animals, horses and poultry
over 65km will be required to hold a certificate of competence by 5
January 2008.
Assembly centre staff
will not be required to obtain a certificate of competence but will
need to have undergone training.
The training courses
will cover the technical and administrative aspects of the rules and
regulations that apply to the protection of animals during
transport. These include:
-
general conditions of
transporting animals
-
the documents that are required
-
fitness for transport
-
journey planning
-
animal physiology and feed needs,
animal behaviour and the concept of stress
-
practical aspects of handling
animals
-
impact of driving behaviour on
welfare of animals and on the quality of meat
-
emergency care for animals
-
safety of personnel handling
animals
The certificate of
competence will be awarded once an independent
assessment of knowledge of the above has been made.
Quarantine
Costs for transporting
horses abroad are dependent on a lot of variables such as horse height,
temperament and sex. Quarantine is also dependent on the route you take and also
the sex of your horse. For more information and quotes call an
international transporter.
Before transporting any animals it is advisable to:
Plan your route carefully, make sure that there is access for your
vehicle and choose the most comfortable (not necessarily the shortest) route
for your horse.
Allow plenty of time for the journey.
Take heavy duty jump leads, a warning triangle, a breakdown number and a
mobile phone with you.
Regulations
If you Breakdown
Checks to make before you set out
Towing Tips
The law on people travelling in the rear of a horsebox:
It depends on the construction of the lorry. If you have
through access from the cab to the horse area then it is not illegal although
not recommended. However if the horse area is separate from the cab of the
lorry and this includes the accommodation area then it is illegal. The reason
really is for communication as something could happen to people travelling
with the horses and the driver would have no knowledge of it and be unable to
take the appropriate action. Many a trailer has been stopped by the police
because someone was travelling with the horses. It is not a safe practice and
to be thoroughly discouraged at all times.
Useful Contacts:
Department for Environment
Food & Rural Affairs
for up to date travelling regulations.
www.maporama.co.uk for maps of Europe when planning your trip.
www.horsesport.org
for FEI advice.
Glenn Electronics
- manufactures and supplies a range of simple, easy to use Test Units for
checking lighting wiring circuits on vehicle towbars, horse boxes, trailers and
caravan electrics
Tip! When
you're out and about in your horsebox or trailer, avoid strain on the ramp
hinges by carrying one or two blocks of wood to put under the ramp to help
level it on uneven ground.
If you breakdown:
Get the vehicle to a safe place.
Use the hazard warning lights and place your warning
triangle 50m back on ordinary roads and 100m back on motorways.
On motorways, use the emergency phones to tell the police
you are there.
Call your breakdown service, the police can connect you via
the emergency phones.
Before phoning - Find out where you are, vehicle details
and breakdown service membership number.
Keep an eye on the traffic.
If work has to be done on the hard-shoulder, ask the police
to close the nearside lane.
Loosen wheel nuts before jacking up - will help to
avoid pulling the vehicle off the jack.
Only jack up vehicles from the designated jacking points.
Don't unload the horses on the hard shoulder unless
instructed to by the police.
Below is a general guide to the types of checks you should make on your
horsebox/lorry before you undertake a journey.
BRAKES:
Check fluid levels
Check brake lines for corrosion
Drain condensation water from air tanks
Ensure that the Trailer's towing ball and hook and
brake linkages are sufficiently lubricated
Take the unloaded box or trailer for a test run to
check the brakes are working correctly and that all tools are easily
to hand
COOLING SYSTEM:
Check for leaks on hoses and the engine
With a cold engine the coolant level should be
between minimum and maximum
ENGINE:
Check:
oil levels
power steering level
that the fuel filer is drained of water
tension and condition of drive belts
HORSE AREA:
Check:
the floor
partitions and ramp for security
door hinges and locks
ramp hinges
horse ties
vent windows
fresh water system
chassis and body lubrication
breeching and breast bars
LIGHTING & ELECTRICS:
Check all lights and indicators
Check coupling connectors
Make sure that your battery is fully charged, in
good condition and that its connections are clean.
LIVING AREA:
Check for gas leaks
Check bolts on living doors
Ensure that there are adequate seat belts for
children when travelling
WHEELS & TYRES:
Check:
tyres for side wall damage
and pressure
that the trailer's wheel nuts haven't seized
through standing or are loose
Towing Tips
Contact
us if you have any towing tips you would like to share.
Check that the connection to the ball hitch is in fully and
the safety chain is fitted.
Check that the electrics and lights are working.
Make sure that the jockey wheel is up and locked when the
trailer is connected.
Do not exceed the maximum of 60 miles per hour.
Allow extra braking distances and avoid braking hard.
Make sure that the vehicle you are using for towing is
adequate to tow a trailer loaded.
Avoid violent changes of direction .
If the trailer starts to "snake" brake slowly,
accelerate the vehicle and then drive out. Then slow down.
Allow a wider turning space.
Do not tow in the outside lane on the motorway as it is
illegal.
When reversing check that your path is clear, go
slowly and use the lowest gear possible.
Keep an eye on the trailer all the time you are reversing.
Practice in a safe place.
Fit extended mirrors to the outside of your vehicle.
The NFU
(Tel: 0870 840 2030) provides the following Free Country Guide to members:
Driver licensing, trailer and horse trailer towing.
The following books are available from the
BHS Bookshop (Tel:
08701 201921) :
Towing Horse Trailers, an Allen Photographic Guide by John Henderson.
Choosing the trailer and type of tow-car, maintenance, safe driving practices
and the law. Also hitching up and reversing in easy step by step sections.
Price: £4.95
Towing Trailers in Great Britain booklet
£2.99
NFU Horse box maintenance
DEFRA -
Welfare of animals in transit
Guidance Notes for the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997.
WELFARE OF ANIMALS (TRANSPORT) ORDER 1997
ADVICE ON
THE TRANSPORT OF ANIMALS IN HOT WEATHER
IATA -
Live Animals Transportation by
Air
DEFRA - Code of Practice for the transport of animals by air
Information on preventing "Shipping Fever"
The Trailer and Towing Advisory Service
New Drivers Act 1997
Trailer Test
Classic Driver Training Services, Tel: 0117
958 4260
Driving Standards Agency (to book an approved
driving test), Tel: 0870 010 1372
Towtutor, Tel: 01423 712131
The
Blue Cross has
published a leaflet packed with practical advice on trailer safety and
maintenance. Breakdown Cover
Companies that Supply Insurance & Legal
Services Transport
& Shipping Suppliers
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