Travelling a horse accross Europe.

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showqa

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What companies do this for you and how much can you rely on them in terms of their horsemanship? How many stops would be required? What about leaving the UK in terms of customs/excise (does that even apply???) and then coming back into the country at a later date?

Basically, my husband may well have to go and work in southern Europe for about 18 months, almost without coming back to the UK, and so now I'm faced with what to do. There is NO WAY I'm leaving my horse here - I simply won't go if that's the choice - so I'm trying to find out the practicalities of travelling them through Europe. Any info would be soooo useful. Thanks.
 
Loads of international transporters around, some better than others. Depending on which country you are going to, you don't need that much paperwork and a reputable transporter will help organise everything.
 
Which country ? Im in Italy and have a friend who does the whole of Europe. His trucks are excellent, he has regular stop overs in proper yards and is very experienced (he events and sj's).
 
Don't forget to look into the biosecurity angle too. Italy (for example) has endemic EIA (swamp fever) and has had recent outbreaks of dourine. Piroplasmosis can also be a risk in parts of Europe, as can West Nile Fever, among other things. You'll need to look into ways to keep your horses healthy while out there, and to make sure you don't bring any 'presents' back to the UK with you:)
 
A friend used John Parker to travel two horses to Finland and back again a couple of years later. Both are not the easiest of horses, one is huge and very nervous, the other is laminitis prone. Both came off the lorry like they had been for a 20 mile trip, in excellent condition. The grooms/drivers were fantastic, they had built up a real rapport with both horses, it was lovely to see.
 
assuan said:
I recommend ETA.

http://www.eta.uk.com/
Click to expand...

Another vote for ETA, they travelled Vardi from Holland to the UK a few weeks ago and were fantastic. They also gave the most competitive quote. Below is the e-mail I sent them after the trip;

"Hi Sue,

All settled in safe and sound and I am now back in Holland having sobbed all the way to Dover, right across the channel and half way through Belgium!!

Can I just say thanks for everything and making this as easy as it possibly could be.

Please pass on my sincere thanks to Jon & Nick whose arrival at the yard in Holland caused instant calm I particularly liked the way they both took time out to get to know Vardi for a time before attempting to load him. When the time came he walked up the ramp with them with never a backward glance. They were also great at keeping me informed even texting me at midnight to say he was in your stable in Dover calmly eating hay.

When the time comes to move my new horse to the UK to join Vardi I know who I will be calling.

thanks again."

Can't fault them at all they turned what was a stressful experience into one that i really did not need to be concerned about.
 
It depends where 'southern' europe actually is. If it is France, then assuming they are horses and not ponies, they will need to have an Export Licence each, plus have passports and be microchipped. If it is Spain, Portugal, Italy, then they will also need Heath Certificates within 48 hours of their departure. If there is any of this paperwork missing then they won't be leaving the UK.

There is no export duty within the EU zone, but if you go to Switzerland there will be a tax to pay taking them into the country and also taking them out.

Be prepared to re-evaluate how you wish your horses to be kept. Southern Europe is not the same as the UK. Most turn-out is in sand paddocks and grass is often only available in the spring (depending where you go).

You may also have to register in the country you are living. In France, for example, they need to be entered on the central register and be given a SIRE number. This requires a vet to come out, so there is his fee, plus the registration fee! If this isn't done then they won't get the necessary paperwork to go back to the UK.
 
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