Don’t pass on a passport

Failing to have a passport could result in a hefty fine (£5000) so if you haven’t done so already, apply for one right away. Your horse’s passport should be available for inspection at any time, and you may well need to produce it if you…

1. Compete
2. Move your horse to a new stable yard
3. Sell, loan or export your horse
4. Breed from your horse
5. Have your horse slaughtered for human consumption.

Why do I need one?

Passports are a means of identifying your horse or pony. They help to make sure that horses who have been treated with certain medicines don’t make it into the human food chain, as well as helping to stop the spread of disease by restricting equine movement. If your horse is stolen, he can’t be sold on without a valid passport either.

How do I get one?

You will need to contact an authorised Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) and complete a passport application for every horse you own. Note that only the owner can apply for a passport so if you have a horse on loan, you will need to contact the owner.

A list of PIOs can be found on DEFRA’s website: www.direct.gov.uk