anyone transported horses from Ireland-UK themselves?

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beenleighford

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www.lauracocking.webs
Hi,

We are off pony shopping in ireland next week and for the first time thinking of driving them back ourselves from dublin- holyhead. Is there any paperwork and regulations involved or is it simply booking the ferry?

Thankyou!
 
beenleighford said:
Brilliant thanks- its so wierd to think they don't know/care if there's horses on board or not!
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They do know if there are horses on board and if the weather is rough they won't be let on board. They are also usually passport checked at the port....always have been when we've travelled across
 
They definitely know if you are transporting horses, and will not let you on if the sea is above certain roughness....Stena/P&O/Irish Ferries all carry horses from Dublin to Holyhead, it is an easy drive, all on motorway from most parts of Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland then onto A55 up to Chester, then you are either on motorways again or the A41 is the rat-run to the M54 and onto M6 (used by most HGV's now). If you are taking a lorry with living what it costs you to transport the horse you will save on hotels/b and b's. Either Cavan or Goresbridge, if you park in their premises are within easy walking distance of great Irish pubs and restaurants. Have fun, and buy a great Irish horse.
 
You will have to book in as freight which means that you will have to check in earlier. They will probably not check passports!
 
We did Scotland to Belfast for a tetrathlon.They don't usually check the passports but always have one.Only annoying thing is that u can't check the horses but the crew members are experienced and can tell if the horses are hurt:D
 
Going out without a horse you can book it normally, then on the way back with a horse you need to book as freight.
We took a 511 with a range rover (they work out cost on length) it cost nearly a grand in total. They didn't check passports or even what was in there.
They put you at the front, so it's quite nerve racking and noisy when everyone is pulling up behind and shouting, I left the back top doors open as I was BOILING! And having to leave them on their own is horrible, so make sure you book one of the express ones on the way back. Good luck!
 
Definitely book the fast ferry for your laden journey. As above they will not let you travel if it is too rough, but by the same token they give you priority if you have livestock on board.

It would be a lot cheaper to get a transporter to do it, but some of them (do a search on here if you haven't already) do a less than good job and for peace of mind you may be better doing it yourself.
 
Yes! Brought my new pony back from Galway a year ago. Friend took his own horse and lorry to compete and then we brought her plus my Irish lad back with us on the fast ferry on a Monday Dublin-Holyhead. Port checked human passports but not horse and only spoke to us through cab window. Was quite stressful as although we had pre booked, due to bad weather on previous days they tried to deny our place because they had lots cars from earlier sailings to squeeze on. Be prepared! It was like a sauna inside lorry when docked at Holyhead as got v hot in hold. Horses dripping sweat but otherwise travelled fine. Quite an adventure!
 
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