Riders urged to ensure lorries are compliant
Small issues that don’t comply with new EU regulations can prove costly
RIDERS have been reminded of the importance of meeting vehicle requirements for travelling horses abroad since Brexit.
On 28 April the Road Haulage Association (RHA) hosted a webinar on vehicle compliance, during which experts discussed the requirements for vehicle approval certificates, and some issues catching people out.
Charles Cunningham of Horse Transport Europe said some horseboxes have been failing inspections owing to issues such as lack of lashing points, dim internal lighting, and a lack of fans in the horse area – which must also be able to operate when the engine is switched off.
Other requirements include logs of temperature monitoring in the box, which must be downloadable for inspection for up to 30 days, and sufficient head space and airflow.
“Horseboxes are arriving for inspection in Ireland with lashing points attached to the floors of lockers and they are being told to get this repaired here, or get back on the boat,” he said. “Where we used to be able to travel a threeaxel lorry with four lashing points,
we now need six; one in each corner at the back, two in front and two at the sides. Each must also be clearly identified.
“It’s little things people don’t think of. Things like not having ‘horses in transit’ on the front and back can mean failure.”
Mr Cunningham added that horseboxes must also have space to carry a certain amount of feed, hay and water to be approved.
“People fill lockers with tack but you need to keep space for the feed required for the journey,” he said. “If you are stopped and don’t have sufficient feed, they have the right to refuse you onward travel.”
Julie Magnus of Julie Magnus Racehorse Transport reminded drivers to have directories such as the Thoroughbred Business Guide, lists of English-speaking vets, and a contingency plan and breakdown recovery.
John Lucy, RHA head of international transport, said moving horses is a “bit of a minefield”, but further guidance is on the RHA website.
Visit: rha.uk.net