Moving horses to France?

gabbypinkjessica

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My partner has been offered a years job in Marseille. I speak good French and can work there, so would really like to go too. However, I won't be going unless my two cobs can come with us. Does anyone have any advice or experience in moving horses to France? They are very easy going, ideally need 24 hour turnout (but with shade as they will find it hot). Do the French have grass livery? Or would I need to rent a field? Also, does anyone know about the red tape involved? They are both injected up to date here, are the French rules the same? Is there paperwork involved?
Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks
 

sywell

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If you have horses with a studbook you should ask them if they have French recognition. If not you might have to get additional paperwork from the French. You should speak to Haras Nationaux as all horses come under central goverment.
 

cariadssogreat

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I sold a pony that went to France - and it was all quite straight forward on the actual physical moving front. P Lucks did all the transport for me and all the paperwork - have used them a few times now - and their quote was the best and the were the first ones to be taking a load over- they go over quite often.
 

Booboos

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We're about to move to the South of France in September!

Here is my collected wisdom, but it's all to be confirmed:

- there seem to be a lot of horse transporters that go to France. It's cheaper if you are OK with a shared load, but it may take a bit longer for the horses to get there depending on where you are on the pick up and drop off list. Prices do vary (from 300 to 600 per horse for shared load) so do call around
- the transporters will do the paper work for you. Have a look at the Defra site and the forms are there. They are not particularly complicated (although of course your horses need passports).
- if you want to transport them yourself, some of the transporters have a service where they advise you on the paperwork, stable the horses for the night, etc. You need stable accommodation at Calais just in case the weather is bad and the ferries won't accept horses.
- your vet can advise re vaccinations. Ours is looking into the prevalence of West Nile disease in the south of France and we many need this vac, but it may be localised to where we are going.
- hacking seems to be a lot better in France, you can check out the area you are going to at the blue maps site (a bit like OS maps) http://loisirs.ign.fr/
- competing is a bit more complex. Apparently there are local level, amateur competitions through riding clubs. For more competitive shows you need to pass your Galop 7 test (or have your local RS certify you are competent) and get the horses registered with the FFE (they need breed passports and microchips and it takes months and months to get done) http://www.ffecompet.com/php/main.php?fonc=accueil&t=1175958413950&t=1267202468757

PM me if you fancy chatting some more. I am in touch with a couple of people who are in France and about to move there.
 

JCWHITE

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Hi, I am in France, agree with all Booboos has said,pm me if you would like, as there are a couple of specialist forums where you can get more answers to your queries!
I compete at Amateur level,so have some experience with the system.I used John Parkers,very pleased.
Good luck and go for it!
JC
 

millimoo

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My Auntie's horses are on the ferry back to the UK as I type..... hopefully!!!
There's been a problem with one of the horses paperwork - French say it's fine, the horse transporter isn't so sure.
They were collected yesterday, were stabled outside Paris last night, went on to Calais today, for the ferry this evening, and will then be stabled in the UK before heading down to Devon tomorrow as they are on shared loads - bit of a long haul for them both, and one of them is 26yrs old.
Anyhoo, they've been living in the Dordogne for 10 years, and one of the things to look out for in the summer months is Tick Fever. There is a jab for it if they have got it, but my cousin became a dab hand at picking the bu99ers off.
Also make sure you've got some decent winter rugs - they have really really hot summers, and feet of snow in the winter sometimes.
And as per other posts, you have to register to compete......
 

gabbypinkjessica

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Ha ha thanks for all the advice, I was expecting it to be more difficult than it sounds. I will definitely be taking some good winter rugs, as Marseille is mistral country!
 
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