Horse Transport

The horse passport

Transporting a horse requires the horse passport. This is not the same as an animal passport. Every horse, pony, donkey or zebra in the Netherlands must have a horse passport, while the animal passport is only required for international travel for dogs, cats and ferrets. Since 2006, all equidae must also be microchipped. The horse passport is a proof of identification (not proof of ownership) and it contains the following:

• The chip number/transponder number: this is the number of the horse's chip
• Registration number: also known as studbook number or life number
• Pedigree: if the pedigree is known it is also in there
• Sketch or photo
• The name
• The race
• The age
• The color
• Gender
• Tags

This passport can be issued on behalf of the RVO (rijksdienst voor ondernemend Nederland) by horse passport issuing authority (ppi). An overview of all ppi bodies can be downloaded here. The body that issues the passport ensures that the horse's data is entered into the central database. Within six months of birth, a foal should be microchipped and have a passport.

A horse passport in the Netherlands is always required for owning horses, transporting horses or slaughtering horses. When purchasing a horse, always check the passport for accuracy. Make sure the chip number matches the number in the passport. A chip is mandatory for every horse and is placed in the neck of the horse. On the site of the RVO you can search on the chip number of the horse. Here you can find the PPI that issued the passport. You can then contact them for more information about the horse.

The horse's passport should always be near the horse. A copy will not suffice.

Transporting horses yourself

Horses may be self transported if the following conditions are met:

• A maximum of two horses at a time
• No more than 65km
• Not cross-border
• Horse passports are provided for each horse
• The horses are transported (arguably) for hobby purposes. This means:
  • That they don't go to the slaughterhouse
  • You are not driving to the trail to make money from it

If you want to transport horses outside of any of these conditions, it is considered professional horse transport by law. This means that you either have to get the permits yourself or hire a professional. When you transport your horses, you want to make it as comfortable as possible for your horse. Therefore, observe these tips:

1. Make sure you have a good horse trailer. Make sure the tires are in good condition and that it is clean inside.
2. Make sure plenty of fresh air can enter the trailer.
3. Drive slowly and carefully! Go slowly over speed bumps and through curves.
4. Do not ride the horse immediately after an activity. Let him recover for a while before going back into the trailer.
5. On long rides, take a break. If possible, let your horse out of the trailer for a while. Give the horse some water and hay. This will make the transport less tiring for him.

Professional horse transport

Companies wishing to transport horses commercially need the Type I live animal transport permit mentioned here for transports under 8 hours. This permit is also necessary for anyone who:

• Want to transport more than two horses
• Want to transport horses longer than 65km
• If you transport horses for someone else
• If you want to transport horses for the purpose of making money from them (competitions or slaughter)

To transport horses professionally, the following conditions must be met:

• The company holds an NVWA transport permit for live animals type I
• The company holds a Euro license
• The driver and transporters are in possession of The Certificate of Proficiency in Livestock Transport, issued
• by the CBR.
• Proper transport documents are present. These can be checked. This shows which animals are being transported, the departure and arrival point and the expected travel time.
• All horse passports must be present.
• Safe modes of transport: horses should be transported in an approved trailer or truck.