Passports Query

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dressage_diva

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I keep my horse on full-livery at a large equestrian centre (he's been there about 7years now) but they've just asked me to give them my horse's passport. They said that they're required to be in possession of it as they're the main keeper of the horse. I know they have a legal requirement to ensure the horse is passported (because he's on full livery) but I didn't think they needed the actual passport? I'm obviously reluctant to leave it with them and was just going to give them a photocopy but thought I'd check first what the law is? I looked on DEFRA's website but couldn't find anything to do with horses on livery. Anyone know?
 
I wouldn't give the original passport to them, just a photocopy of the relevant bits.

I was asked to give my vacc card to one yard, I did. When I came to leave (at short notice dur to welfare issues), they claimed to have lost it.

I was gutted as I'd had it since he was a foal. Luckily, because I'd had him all his life, I just asked the vet for a copy of his vaccination record, so I didn't have to start all over again.
 
Since 1st July 2009 passports have to be in the possession of the keeper of the horse, so if your horse is in full livery it must be kept by the yard. Ours are all held in a fire proof safe in the yard office.

Trading Standards are responsible for enforcing this law and can come and inspect a yard. DIY/part livery horse owners have to be able to ensure that they can provide a passport within 3 hours of request so if your yard is inspected you'll need to be able to ensure you can provide the passport within 3 hours if requested. Max fine for non-compliance is £5000!

Copies are not acceptable.
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Thanks for the information guys - I didn't know about the law saying the keeper needs the passport, all I could find on DEFRA website was the owner needing the passport.

Donklet and rubyredshoes - can you point me to the legislation online anywhere? Surely if I give the yard my passport they could technically sell on my horse as they have possession of the passport? I'm also worried about them losing the passport and then I'll have to pay for a new one!

ETS: I live about 10mins from the yard and could easily get the passport to the yard within 3 hours if there was a spot-check carried out.
 
http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/movements/horses/horses_qa.htm

http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/business/trading/information/agriculture/horsepassports.htm

The passport is not proof of ownership.

If your livery yard is being run as a business complying with all relevant business legislation then they are within their rights to ask for the passport. I didn't hand mine over until I was sure that it was safe!! I used to keep it in the lorry and now have to remember to take it with me every time we go out.
 
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