Any advice for taking horse to Portugal for the Spring

[showqa]

I'm going with my horse to southern Portugal for three/four months. We're driving him there ourselves - just want tips and advice from anyone who has taken their horses overseas. Thanks.

 

[showqa]

Or travelling to anywhere on the continent .

 

[Booboos]

I didn't do it myself, used transporters, but a couple of things may be relevant to you.

Find out about local livery yards you could stop on the way, especially at the ferry crossing because if the weather is not very good horses are not allowed to board the ferry and you may get stuck for a day or even a few days.

You need an export license from Defra. My transporter did this for me, but I don't think it's too complicated.

You also need a European recovery service that caters for horses just in case you happen to need them, which I hope you won't!

Flies can be terrible in the south of Europe in spring/summer so think about fly sheets, masks, etc. We also used specialised stuff for the variety of horrific flies we have down here.

 

[freckles22uk]

Ive brought 2 horses and a pony over to Spain, though for good, not a visit... but bring fly spray, fly masks, as they are a pain in the ass... are you travelling in a trailer or lorry? have you got lots of planned stops on the way? If your horse wears shoes. possible bring some with you, as they might be different there...

 

[dreamcometrue]

Take plenty of feed with you. There's no grass there! Nor good quality hay. Very very hot. Take electrolytes. Water can be dodgy, everyone drinks bottled water.

Vaccinate for everything.

It is a very poor country (financially) and on its knees at the moment.

The people are lovely.

 

[Sarah W]

No advice as such but I can put you in touch with a wonderful instructor on the Algarve/Alentejo borders Lots of horsey folk up here in central Portugal too!

 

[Sarah W]

Take plenty of feed with you. There's no grass there! Nor good quality hay. Very very hot. Take electrolytes. Water can be dodgy, everyone drinks bottled water.

Vaccinate for everything.

It is a very poor country (financially) and on its knees at the moment.

The people are lovely.

Apologies for disagreeing but yes, there is good quality hay (at €3 a bale) and no, not everyone drinks bottled water - our tap water is delicious.

Yes, Portugal is poor, but always has been and our knees are fine...

 

[showqa]

Thanks so much everyone - all really useful.

I am taking him to a very nice and established, professional yard, so I will have a lot of support there. In fact, it's the travelling that bothers me the most really.

Thanks Sarah - whereabouts are you in Portugal? Actually, the reason I'm taking him down there is to work with a specific trainer.

All info is really welcome so cheers.

 

[showqa]

Sarah - can I ask can you get haylage there? Also, do you know if Dengie feedstuffs are available? Thanks.

 

[Sarah W]

I'm near Tomar - about an hour north of Lisbon. I get hay locally and use Cavalor feed from Blegium - works out about €15 a bag. The owners of Pure Feed live locally and there are agents for Blue Chip an hour away.

Useful links;

www.equusourique.com
www.emergosol-lusitanos.com
http://www.ige-pt.com

HTH

 

[showqa]

Excellent - thanks Sarah.