is it illegal to transport horses other than your own?

[jumpthemoon]

As subject really, my friend told me tonight that the law has changed and its now illegal to transport horses other than your own in your trailer/lorry, even if its just to a show, the vets etc and they aren't paying you.

Anyone know if this is right?

 

[C&C]

I believe you have to have a certain ins. to transport other peoples horses. If you are giving lifts for friends im really not sure how you would come off if anything happened....say the said friend sues you for an accident :-/

Plenty of people do it tho, there are peeps at my yard giving lifts all the time and if i could take someone with me i would but lorry payload wont allow so cant!

 

[jumpthemoon]

Surely lorry insurance covers you for any horses, not just your own? I understand its different if you're being paid, but that's almost like having a car and only being legal to take family out, surely?

 

[Ranyhyn]

I thought the issue WAS being paid?

 

[jumpthemoon]

Exactly! That's what I thought. But what my friend said is that when her husband drove someones horse to the vets last night in their trailer, it was actually illegal. He wasn't being paid. I can't see how that would be right.

 

[skint1]

Sounds awfully heavy handed, I often give lifts to horses that are not my own, would be sad not to be able to lend a hand on the odd occasion. . How can we check for sure?

 

[Black_Horse_White]

I thought you had to have an operators licence if you charged. But you can do it for free.

 

[jumpthemoon]

I think I'm going to call my insurance company in the morning and ask them. I can't see how it can be right, I think she must have her wires crossed and actually its that you can't transport for financial reward.

 

[fidleyspromise]

there was a thread on here, and it seemed that if it was simply costs that you were taking money for, then that was ok but taking money for profit was where financial reward etc came in.

 

[mutley75]

you are fine as long as no money changes hands and you are a compleatly private operation. This falls down if a groom you pay a wage to is driving or the car/truck is a company car or registered in a company name. Its also a very grey area where the yard transports clients as part of their livery. Insurance wise it no different unless you stray into the for hire and reward bracket.

 

[jumpthemoon]

So its perfectly ok to take someone's horse to the vets or both horses go in the same trailer to a show etc providing you don't get paid? Ie 'i drive this time, you drive next' kind of thing?

That's how I thought it worked.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Check also with your insurance for the horsebox.

I know when I last had a lorry, that if I took other equines that did not belong to me, then I was not insured for them in transit, regardless of if the owners were paying me or not for the ride, as I was not a registered transporter (like most others YO's, tho not all) and had only paid a private use premium....... so well worth checking out.

 

[fidleyspromise]

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horsecare/1370/116217.html

the last point on here

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

on a lorry the insurance covers you to drive the vehicle,(as long as vehicle is mot/tax/ins) it covers you if you are in a crash(re liability, who pays for what, whose fault) it generally doesnt cover the value of the horses on board! you can pay extra for uninsured contents/ or claim on the horses own insurance policy providing of course it is covered for transport. passport must accompany horse when travelling. providing you are not doing transport for financial gain yes you can take a freind with you (at entirely their own risk)...... i think?! i would think trailoring insurance will be similar!

 

[Holly Hocks]

You can transport other peoples' horses as long as it isn't for financial profit. If it is only for fuel money it's fine. Your friend has clearly been at the end of some chinese whispers.

 

[mutley75]

fidleyspromise, the link you posted is from2007, unfortunately five years and vosa keep the fines, so goalposts have changed a little, just ask Mr Funnell.

 

[perfect11s]

fidleyspromise, the link you posted is from2007, unfortunately five years and vosa keep the fines, so goalposts have changed a little, just ask Mr Funnell.

Yes if its a private person taking another private persons horse/s then no problem however if its a pro rider/trainer taking a customers horse as part of a bussiness arangement as part of making a living ie the old 'hire or reward ' then if the lorry is over 3.5 tons it will need a O licence etc... dont think the goal posts have changed it's just being inforced now, realy just part of our joyous membership of the EU and once you have laws its only fair to people that comply to enforce it so those who dont arnt at a competive advantage,