Question re Harry Hall insurance and being the registered owner on passport

[HorseMaid]

I have my mare insured for injuries with Harry Hall, in the past they've paid out no bother and never asked about the passport but am I right in thinking that they've tightened up the rules regarding owners actually changing ownership on the passport?

I've just done my mare's change of ownership today (only had her 6 years!) so all good for me but I'm not sure whether my friend who has the same insurance has changed her mare's passport into her name.

 

[gallopingby]

It’s a legal requirement to change ownership within 30 days. If trading standards got their act together they could make some money issuing fines.

 

[HorseMaid]

I'm aware of that, but it wasn't really what I was asking (I know lots of people don't bother and the only other owner in my mare's passport is her breeder, there have been more homes in between) - I was more asking whether Harry Hall are actually checking passports now?

 

[dorsetladette]

My youngster is still in breeders name. He's had 5 homes between them and me and no one has had him long enough to send passport off and I just haven't had the head space to unpick it all.

anyway, he had a kick in the field which needed vet treatment. They asked for a copy of his passport but never questioned the owner details, and paid out no problem. If a pony was on loan they wouldn't have the insurers details in the passport, so would be tricky to police I think.

 

[HorseMaid]

Thank you - I know when I claimed 3 odd years ago they didn't even ask for the passport, but recently when I renewed I had to input horse's details online which I don't think I'd had to do before! I'm thinking more from my friends point of view as I don't think she's ever bothered to update the details

 

[Lady Jane]

Why don't you talk to your friend? Is she aware of the law? And I'm not sure what would happen if you had an accident travellingas you have to carry their passport?

 

[HorseMaid]

We never have their passports with us when we travel (although we rarely travel!) - again, I know you're meant to, but I'm pretty sure hardly anyone does! I'm speaking to her right now about it, she's never changed hers either

 

[gallopingby]

Maybe a ‘wind up’ post?

Horse transporters require a horse to travel with its passport, similarly at the larger shows you are requested to present your passport when collecting numbers.
The regulations have been in force since 2009, have a look on the government website. Maybe also start saving it may focus your mind a little better. The fine used to be £3000 but it may well have increased.

 

[HorseMaid]

Not a wind up post - we don't show or compete. The last time the horses travelled it was to move from one yard ten miles away to the current one, which we only hack from. They've not been on a trailer since we came here as we have endless hacking. I'm aware of the regulations, of course, but I don't personally know of a single person that has been prosecuted or fined for travelling their horse without a passport. It wasn't really the point of my original post which was asking about Harry Hall insurance.

 

[teacups]

OP, it may be different where gallopingby lives or within their personal experience, but my personal impressions and experiences would align with yours.