Travelling with horses
Whether it's a trip to the vet or to a show, a safe journey starts long before you set off: check what you're allowed to drive, how much you can carry, and that your horse is ready to load and travel calmly.
What do I need to drive it?
Answer three questions to see the licence and rules for your vehicle in Great Britain. The rules change from time to time, so check your own licence too. The full detail is in Rules for travelling horses: licences, vehicles and paperwork.
Answer the first two questions to see what you need.
Weight and space
World Horse Welfare says many people unknowingly exceed their vehicle's weight limits. Add up what you'll carry, and check your horse has room to balance.
Weight
Enter the maximum and unladen weights to see your payload.
These are only sums. World Horse Welfare suggests using a weighbridge for an accurate figure. If you're towing, the car's gross train weight limits the car and trailer together.
Space
Enter a height to see the headroom your horse needs.
Allow at least 20 cm of space between your horse and each side of the vehicle, and behind it. Horses don't lean on partitions: they need room to balance.
Before you set off
Run through these before every journey. Nothing you tick is saved.
Guides
By the numbers
- 20 cmof space, at least, between your horse and each side of the vehicle, and behind itTravelling your horse safely
- 75 cmof headroom, at least, above your horse's withersTravelling your horse safely
- 4 hoursat most between water and forage breaks on a long journeyTravelling your horse safely
- 2–3 kgof water a horse can lose for every hour of travel in hot weatherTravelling your horse safely
- 24–48 hoursof rest, at least, after a long journey before strenuous exerciseTravelling your horse safely
- 500 kgor more: the breaking strain of modern baler twine, so always tie up to a breakaway pointLoading and unloading your horse
- 3,500 kgmaximum authorised mass: above it, a horsebox needs an HGV licenceRules for travelling horses: licences, vehicles and paperwork
- 65 kmcommercial horse journeys longer than this need a certificate of competenceRules for travelling horses: licences, vehicles and paperwork
Sources
- Travelling your horse safely: horsebox and trailer requirements — World Horse Welfare (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Travelling safely: is your horse fit to travel? — World Horse Welfare (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Heatstroke in horses — World Horse Welfare (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Transporting your horse — The British Horse Society (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Checks before you travel — The British Horse Society (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Loading and unloading — The British Horse Society (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Rules for transporting horses in horseboxes and trailers — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Drivers' hours, goods vehicles: assimilated and AETR rules — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Tow a trailer or caravan with a car: safety checks — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Speed limits — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Towing with a car — Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Driving licence categories — Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Compare old and new driving licence categories — Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Horse passports — Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Animal welfare in transport — Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (accessed 8 October 2026)
- Transporting animals in Great Britain — Animal and Plant Health Agency (accessed 8 October 2026)