Whilst breeders and owners understand that all horses, donkeys and ponies must have a passport, less apparent are the reasons behind the law and the implications of non-compliance. Then there is the issue of where to obtain a passport and how much it might cost.

In broad terms this particular law is designed to protect the health of those who eat horses, by identifying the animal and any medication administered, if it is intended for human consumption. Whilst applying to few Irish horses, this legislation also ensures the availability of a range of veterinary medicines that would otherwise have to be withdrawn. Enforcement will include passport inspections and passports must be available whenever a horse is moved. Moved in this instance means ‘any movement out of a holding or other place, including movement between premises, entering competitions, for the purposes of breeding, being sold or presented for slaughter’.
In addition, the Department of Agriculture and Food has powers to enter any premises where a horse is suspected to be present and to stop horse boxes and trailers (when accompanied by a member of the Garda Síochána in uniform). Failure to comply with the legislation can lead, on summary conviction, to a fine of up to €3,000.

Just as importantly, your vet may not treat a horse if it doesn’t have a passport. Where the health or welfare of the animal is at risk they can administer a limited range of medicines, but then must report the matter to the local District Veterinary Office.

How you obtain a passport for your own animals depends largely on their breeding. Thoroughbreds can only be registered with Weatherbys whilst other pedigree or sports horses can be registered with the relevant breed society or the Irish Horse Board (IHB). Non-pedigree animals can also use the IHB, The Irish Piebald and Skewbald Association or The Horse Passport Agency.

Below is a quick guide to Irish passport issuers:

Weatherby’s
Thoroughbreds
www.weatherbys.co.uk
weatherbysire@eircom.net
045 879 979
From €125 for foals.

Phone for information
Irish Horse Board
Pedigree/Non pedigree
www.irishhorseboard.com
ihb@ihb.ie
01 505 3584
Foals from €50 with known pedigree, €35 non-pedigree

Horse Passport Agency
Non-pedigree
www.horsepassportagency.ie
Direct link from web-site
01 429 4017
€30.00 per passport, delivered within 28 days

Irish Pony Society
Pedigree
www.irishponysociety.com
irishponysociety@eircom.net
045 878 987

Connemara Pony Breeders Society
Pedigree
cpbs.ie
enquiries@cpbs.ie
095 21863
€85.00 per passport. Pedigree only

Irish Piebald and Skewbald Association
Pedigree and Non Pedigree coloured horses.
www.theipsa.com
claire@theipsa.com
091 582 182
Passports from €65, will issue passports to non pedigree animals.

Kerry Bog Pony Society
Pedigree
www.kerrybogpony.ie
info@kerrybogpony.ie

Passports issued to members only

The forms are generally simple to fill in, although your vet must fill in the silhouette, sign and stamp the form. The Horse Passport Agency form also has space for microchip details.

Foals must be registered within 6 months of birth but can travel with a passport holding parent during that time. Completed passports normally arrive within 28 days.

The Law, Statutory Instruments S.I. No 399 of 2004 requires all horses, ponies and donkeys in the Republic of Ireland to have a passport. A person guilty of an offence under these regualtions shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €3,000.

The Horse Passport Agency has been authorised by the Department of Agriculture and Food to issue Identity Passports to horses that are are not eligible for passports from a specific breed society.
Vets cannot treat a horse if it does not have a passport. Where the health or welfare of the animal is at risk the vet can administer a limited range of medicines but then must report the matter to the local District Veterinary Office.
Horses cannot be moved without a passport. “Move” means any movement out of a holding or other place, including movement between premises, entering competitions, for the purpose of breeding, being sold or being presented for slaughter.

Authorised officers of the Department of Agriculture and Food have the powers to enter any premises where a horse or passport is suspected to be present and stop horse boxes and trailers (when accompanied by a member of the Garda Síochána in uniform). Failure to comply with the legislation can lead to an on the spot fine of €100 or on summary conviction any person guilty of an offence faces a fine of up to €3,000.
If your horse is eligible for a passport from a breed society (it is a specific breed and you know the sire and dam) contact the breed society, otherwise we can issue you with a €30 Identity Passport.

Call our Dublin Office Tel: 353 (1) 4294017 or download the form from this site.- Click Here