Travelling horses on lockdown help

[rowan666]

Can anybody point me in the right direction with regards to law on travelling horses on lockdown please, I've looked everywhere i can think of and can't find specific definite answers that could be presented to police if stopped. Can I hire a self drive box to transport my horse or do I have to use a proffesional transporter?

 

[Sossigpoker]

You can travel them for essential reasons such as for veterinary care or i suppose if the horse had to be moved for welfare reasons. You shouldn't travel for non-essential reasons. The .gov guidance is pretty clear on that.

 

[Sossigpoker]

If you are travelling for veterinary or welfare reasons it doesn't matter who's box it is or who's driving.
What's the reason for the travel ?

 

[Sossigpoker]

No one will have an issue if you're stopped and you're taking the horse for veterinary care. I wouldn't even think twice about that.

 

[rowan666]

Not vetinary reasons, I'm not sure if it technically falls into welfare reasons though which is why I need clarity, say loaning out or fetching horse back off loan, I have my own very valid (to me) reasons/concerns for preferring to hire self drive rather than leave it to proffesional transporter but I also do not wish to break any rules, I just can't wait indefinitely and realistically who knows when lockdown will end and what tier systems will be in place after making things even more complicated

 

[Antw23uk]

Just get on with it!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Fetching a horse back from a loan which has ended would be a valid reason for travel.

Is it a long journey, so that a police check on the numberplate would show that you are a long way from home?

 

[rowan666]

Its a couple hours away so not the other side of the country but but not down the road either and police are (or were when we had tier system) doing regular stop checks at our end. I'd also have to travel to collect the box.

 

[Annagain]

If the loaner can no longer care for him or you have welfare concerns that would justify travelling as would travelling to collect the box to make the main journey.

 

[Xmasha]

sounds a good enough reason to me. If you are really worried, you could call the local police station for clarity, or even drop them a message on FB. But i do think you will be ok

 

[Sossigpoker]

If the horse will be homeless or not cafes for if you don't collect him then it's a welfare reason. Just do it.
Have to say it never fails to amaze me how much people dither whilst claiming it to be essential- if it's essential then crack on.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Get a print out of any relevant documentation for the trip, such as the horsebox hire invoice, or a loan agreement, or communications with the current keeper.

If you do get stopped by the police and asked to explain your journey, tell them that it is for animal welfare purposes as the current keepers can no longer take care of the horse, and you need to collect it from them.

 

[Goldenstar]

Just go and get him .

 

[Michen]

I think you are over thinking it.

 

[DawnS]

I've had recent experience of this, though was only travelling the horse a short distance. Had given notice on livery yard and found a new yard. As soon as lockdown came into effect, old YO informed me I wasn't allowed to take the horse as it was an inessential journey (never mind that I'd offered to take the horse before lockdown came into law and she'd assured me it wouldn't be a problem...).
Knowing what she was like I rang the BHS legal helpline, Defra and police 101 number to check my position. They confirmed that as the contract for provision of care was ending, it was a welfare issue.
Sure enough when I took him, she called the police. After some faff, they said there was no breach of the rules.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Someone has moved to our yard whilst on lockdown so I think you'd be ok. You can't pick him up without getting the box so you can argue the travel to the box is essential. Then assuming you are picking him up from loan because either the loan has ended (and he'd be homeless so essential) or you are concerned for his welfare (essential).

 

[rowan666]

I've had recent experience of this, though was only travelling the horse a short distance. Had given notice on livery yard and found a new yard. As soon as lockdown came into effect, old YO informed me I wasn't allowed to take the horse as it was an inessential journey (never mind that I'd offered to take the horse before lockdown came into law and she'd assured me it wouldn't be a problem...).
Knowing what she was like I rang the BHS legal helpline, Defra and police 101 number to check my position. They confirmed that as the contract for provision of care was ending, it was a welfare issue.
Sure enough when I took him, she called the police. After some faff, they said there was no breach of the rules.

Thank you, this is helpful and more similar to my situation, I want my horse back home asap but there are no "welfare" issues as such, certainly not neglected or abused in anyway, I'm just not happy with the new rider they have and i have now found a suitable one local to me (horse is one that needs to be kept in work by competent rider)

 

[DawnS]

Thank you, this is helpful and more similar to my situation, I want my horse back home asap but there are no "welfare" issues as such, certainly not neglected or abused in anyway, I'm just not happy with the new rider they have and i have now found a suitable one local to me (horse is one that needs to be kept in work by competent rider)

Glad it was useful, it sounds simple when written down but was one of the most stressful weeks of my life!