How to move cargo with a heart: a domestic view of equine transportation

It continues to be a challenging economic landscape for hauliers in the UK, perhaps best evidenced by the sharp increase in road haulier insolvencies since the COVID-19 pandemic. This was discussed recently in UK parliament, where evidence was presented showing that there were over 400 insolvencies in 2025 alone. Hauliers will, in times of hardship, be tempted to look to alternative revenue streams and diversify what services they offer to the market.

Equine transportation

Horse racing is the second-most popular spectator sport in the UK. With that demand, comes the need to transport high value horses to race courses around the country. While diversifying into equine transport can be attractive for insurers and insured hauliers, it comes with added complexity and regulatory requirements that must be understood before entering the complex equine market.

Moving horses is quite different from hauling pallets or parcels — the cargo is live, valuable, and vulnerable. The UK Government’s guidance sets out clear and comprehensive rules to keep horses safe on the road. The guidance covers everything from driver licensing to vehicle upkeep and animal welfare, whilst blending transport regulation with animal-care considerations.

So what needs to be considered when moving horses as cargo?  Firstly, both insurers and insureds will need to consider whether they have the necessary capabilities to transport such live cargo and, secondly, whether they have adequate insurance in place for the movement in question.

Business requirements 

Hauliers transporting horses commercially with a vehicle trailer combination that exceeds 3,500 kg will require a goods vehicle operator license (or ‘O’ licence) even if only for a day. There are 3 types of operator licences, with the type depending on who owns the horses and where the horses are travelling to:

• A restricted licence is required to transport horses that the driver owns within the UK or EU. This will be relevant when insuring horse owners.
• A standard licence allows the transport of horses not owned by the haulier, but only within the UK.
• A standard international licence allows the transport of horses not owned by the haulier outside of the UK.

If insureds are considering engaging in the movement of horses, the company will also require an animal transportation certificate of competence if there is an intention to transport a horse for more than 65km.

If insurers are covering such journeys, they may wish to review policy wordings to ensure that regulatory requirements are complied with in order for cover to be in place.

Documentation requirements

The horse’s passport of must travel with them at all times during the journey. It will describe the physical features and breed of the horse, the name of the registered owner, and a record of all vaccinations administered.

Transportation requirements 

There are various authorisations and certifications required for transporting horses which must be obtained in advance of the journey. These include:

• A UK-issued transporter authorisation is required for transporting horses by air, road, rail or sea. There are two types of transporter authorisations: Type 1 is required for journeys over 65km and up to 8 hours, while type 2 is required for any journey over 8 hours.
• A Certificate of competence is required for the transport of horses over 65km by road.
• A certificate of vehicle approval is required when transporting horses for more than 8 hours.
• Animal transport certificate: the transporter (whether private individual or haulier) will also require a written record which confirms the horses’ (a) origin and ownership; (b) place, date and time of departure; (c) intended place of destination; and (d) expected duration of journey. This must be kept for at least 6 months after the journey is completed.
• Hauliers must also have navigation (tracking) systems if they are transporting horses for more than 12 hours within Great Britain or over 8 hours if they are transporting horses to any other country.

Animal welfare requirements 

Animal welfare is also an important consideration. There are laws such as the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 governing animal welfare in transport which must be obeyed when transporting horses. Hauliers’ responsibilities include:

• Making sure the animals are fit to travel
• Ensuring a vehicle designed and constructed to avoid injury and suffering is used for the entire transport
• Maintaining and operating loading and unloading facilities to avoid injury and suffering.

Comment 

Before entering the complex equine transportation market, insured hauliers must ensure they have all the necessary permits, licenses and equipment in place. Insurers should also consider whether their policies cover fines, penalties or claims for delay / injury when such regulations have been breached.

In the next issue we will focus on what needs to be considered for transporting horses internationally, especially in light of the added regulatory requirements after Brexit.