transporting a fallabella in my car

[Sambo]

I have a minature pony who i need to move about 5 miles.

I have previously travelled her in a transit van, which she jumped straight into, and travelled well.

However there are no transits available this day.

Is there any law against me travelling her in the back of my car?

 

[piebaldsparkle]

There are laws about traveling unsecured animals in car (even dogs must be restrained by law - though often aren't). However it would be highly dangerous to travel a pony what if she kicked out a window.

 

[Sambo]

I dont think she'd reach a window to kick! She's very small - she loads in anything and just stands the whole way. Just worried incase someone sees her through the window!!!

 

[lhotse]

Just stick some multi coloured vetwrap on her legs, and you can do what you want it would seem!!!
Personally, I think it would be dangerous, and you are likely to get pulled over if you meet Mr Policeman

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Oh well if that's your only concern either put a hat on her and pretend she is an ugly child or hog tie her to stop her wriggling and hide her under a rug.

Seriously you a re beyond stupid.

 

[Sambo]

I'm not concerned people will see her - I'm concerned if people see her and called the police!

I can't seem to find any laws against it..

 

[YorksG]

Check thje DEFRA site, rules of transportation of animals will be there.
If it's only 5 miles, how about the radical idea of WALKING?

 

[Sambo]

I think she would die. Her legs are tiny and she is very very unfit. She hasn't long come back off loan and has come back enormous after being bucket fed for about 5 months!!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I'm not concerned people will see her - I'm concerned if people see her and called the police!

I can't seem to find any laws against it..

The laws regarding 'Insecure load!' You will find that will cover what you want to do. There are possibly other laws regarding the transporting of livestock as well but having an insecure load is the one Police would probably go for.

You've travelled her in a Transit in the past, then do it again. Straw bales down each side. Something on the floor to stop slipping, cross tie her & then take her. You say no transit available....surely you can rent one!

 

[lhotse]

Think what would happen if you had to stop suddenly. You would have a pony hitting you at velocity, probably enough to break your neck. The pony would then carry on through the windscreen to end up injured on the road. It's not worth the risk, get someone with a trailer to do it properly.

 

[Tickles]

Brisk (human) walking speed is about 4 miles an hour. So how about setting aside 3 hours to amble home with her one weekend? Hi viz both yourself and her and graze as you go. Bring a small bucket of water and you shoudl be fine. No great exercise for either of you. Obviously be very careful to pick a sensible route with regard to traffic.

 

[Sambo]

No she'd be in the boot, so in effect it would be like a mini horse box with partitions. She wouldnt be able to fly anywhere - the seats would secure her.

I have seen an animal rescue programme which was filmed in America where they put a shetland in a boot!

 

[Sambo]

I dont think she'd make it to the end of the lane without puffing.. And not sure I would either!!!

 

[You Wont Forget Me]

NO WAY!! Its potentially very dangerous, not very fair on the pony, and i most deffinatly wouldnt risk it!!

 

[sprytzer]

*Head*.......*desk*......some people should'nt have animals!!!

 

[lcharles]

I once rescued a shetland from some gypsies after pulling over and shouting at them....ended up giving them £50 for it and bundled in the back of my 3 door coupe! lol x It stood there quite happily and was good as gold even when i squeezed it into the back from the front fold down seat!! lol x It was a bit reluctant to get back out the fold down seat but drove 15 miles with ts head between the seats! x

Would not advise this and i was lucky i had a dopey sheltand! x i wouldnt of done it if i had other means and if it wasn't with a load of horid gypsies! x

Sheltand is now a companion with my friend! x

 

[CeeBee]

I think it's ok if she lies in a dog bed

 

[Sambo]

I think it's ok if she lies in a dog bed

haha love it!!!

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Under the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, you must not transport an animal in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, injury or unnecessary suffering to that animal.

The Regulation requires anyone transporting animals on any
journey to ensure that:

No one shall transport animals, or cause them to be transported,
in a way likely to cause them injury or undue suffering.

The vehicle and its loading and unloading facilities are designed,
constructed and maintained to avoid injury and suffering and to
ensure the safety of the animals.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb12544c-horses-080711.pdf

 

[planete]

Completely with lhotse. What is a bit of money compared to the risks. You know it is illegal and dangerous to you, the pony and other road users. Even if it goes smoothly you run the risk of a hefty fine which will cost you a lot more than paying somebody to take the pony 5 miles. Please do the sensible thing.

 

[Ladylina83]

.... a wheelbarrow is out of the question then ??

 

[Sambo]

.... a wheelbarrow is out of the question then ??

No a wheelbarrow was considered - but I'm not sure the wheel will take her weight!

 

[JFTDWS]

Whilst I wouldn't condone it, necessarily, in some circumstances where you have little choice (e.g. the person above who rescued one) I'm not sure I wouldn't consider it...

Regarding the "insecure load", I would think that if the pony were in the boot with dog guards up, the load is no more insecure than a similarly sized dog would be (which is legal) so I'm not sure that argument stands up. I suspect there are DEFRA guidelines prohibiting the transport of equines in cars though...

On a welfare level (rather than purely legal) I would've thought it would depend greatly on the car, too. I would shove a shet in the back of my landy without too much concern I think - obviously not routinely, but in an emergency. I wouldn't be inclined to put one on the back seats of my mother's Ford KA though.

I do know of a welsh sec A (not a very small one either) than turned up on a previous yard in a black cab

 

[Sambo]

Completely with lhotse. What is a bit of money compared to the risks. You know it is illegal and dangerous to you, the pony and other road users. Even if it goes smoothly you run the risk of a hefty fine which will cost you a lot more than paying somebody to take the pony 5 miles. Please do the sensible thing.

I dont know that it is illegal - hence this thread!

 

[Sambo]

Whilst I wouldn't condone it, necessarily, in some circumstances where you have little choice (e.g. the person above who rescued one) I'm not sure I wouldn't consider it...

Regarding the "insecure load", I would think that if the pony were in the boot with dog guards up, the load is no more insecure than a similarly sized dog would be (which is legal) so I'm not sure that argument stands up. I suspect there are DEFRA guidelines prohibiting the transport of equines in cars though...

On a welfare level (rather than purely legal) I would've thought it would depend greatly on the car, too. I would shove a shet in the back of my landy without too much concern I think - obviously not routinely, but in an emergency. I wouldn't be inclined to put one on the back seats of my mother's Ford KA though.

I do know of a welsh sec A (not a very small one either) than turned up on a previous yard in a black cab

Good call on black cab! Which company did they use?! This never even occured to me!!!

 

[NOISYGIRL]

I saw someone at a show who'd done out their small van to transport shetlands, they'd lined it with wood and everything, I still didnt' think it was very safe, and what if they pee'd in it amongst all the other things that could happen. Surely there must be a van hire place near you. As someone else has said, line it with straw bales to keep her secure

 

[JFTDWS]

No one shall transport animals, or cause them to be transported,
in a way likely to cause them injury or undue suffering.

The vehicle and its loading and unloading facilities are designed,
constructed and maintained to avoid injury and suffering and to
ensure the safety of the animals.

Exactly the question: would travelling a miniature in the boot of a car be more likely to cause injury than travelling them in a trailer?

Why would the boot of a car, assuming it is adequately sized (and I think, fitted with dog guards etc) be more dangerous than the back of a transit? Or indeed, is it safe to put so small a pony in a "normal" sized horse trailer?

I'm not saying it is safe, I actually am in two minds over it. It sounds ridiculous, but ridiculous and actively dangerous are different things. I can understand why the OP is asking the question, to be fair. Though personally I would walk it, very slowly. But I don't know the condition of the pony in question etc...

 

[Brandy]

OR!!!!
You could pay someone to take the pony in a horsebox. Or hire a horsebox.

 

[JFTDWS]

Good call on black cab! Which company did they use?! This never even occured to me!!!

Oh lord, it was his own, I don't think a cab company would actually take you

 

[Sambo]

OR!!!!
You could pay someone to take the pony in a horsebox. Or hire a horsebox.

Cheapest is £100 - thats 10 months rent for the little pony!!!!!!!!