Looking for a horse transporter who answers the phone, keeps to their time slots and tells you the truth about timelines? Cavalotrans connects owners, competition yards, studs and riding centres with a network of verified horse transporters, in France and internationally.
"I created Cavalotrans because finding a reliable transporter for a horse took too many calls and scattered messages: I wanted one place to compare real offers, without giving your contact details to everyone."
A network of verified transporters, one journey to describe
Cavalotrans connects horse owners with professional transporters, in France and internationally.
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Verified transporters Vehicle approved for transporting live animals, certificate of professional competence, transport insurance.
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A growing network New European countries join the network every month.
covered in Europe. Transit in 1 to 3 days depending on distance.
at most, priced and sent by email by transporters in your region.
passed on before you choose an offer.
for several transporters. You don't have to chase anyone.
: 2 minutes, up to 3 quotes by email.
Horse transport in France and Europe
The network covers all of France (Brittany, Normandy, Pays de la Loire, the South-West, Auvergne, the Paris region) and connects 19 countries in Europe. A domestic journey is usually done in one go, within a day. Transport to Spain, Italy, Germany or Poland takes 1 to 3 days depending on distance, allowing for regulated driving time and breaks.
Transporters in the network usually stop roughly every 4.5 hours. There are two reasons for this rhythm. First, drivers' hours are governed by EU rules: a 45-minute break after 4.5 hours at the wheel. Second, Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport requires water at least every 8 hours for domestic horses.
See the details of the countries covered and routes.
Horse transport, a speciality
The transporters listed on Cavalotrans specialise in equine transport: no livestock, no general freight. Vehicles designed for the job, drivers who do nothing else.
Long-distance horse transport
Domestic journeys of 400 to over 1,000 km, in an individual vehicle or a shared stall. Ideal for a change of yard, a return from an equine hospital, a horse sold to the other end of the country, or an in-foal mare you don't want to shake about. The horse travels facing the road, in a padded stall, with room to lower its head.
International horse transport: TRACES, health certificate, passport
This is the most technical part. To cross a border, you need a health certificate issued through the TRACES-NT system, a vet visit in the hours before departure, and the horse's passport or identification document on board. One certificate = one movement: the chosen transporter prepares the file with your vet, or points you to an approved vet near your yard.
Country-by-country details on our international destinations page, and the full list of formalities on our international horse transport page (TRACES, timelines, prices by destination).
Horse transport between private owners
Selling a horse to a buyer 600 km away? Moving house with two ponies? Cavalotrans sends your journey from A to B to the relevant transporters, with a clear quote and a single point of contact once you've chosen. See our page on horse transport between private owners.
Shared transport
When several horses are going the same way, the transporter shares the lorry and splits the cost between the customers. Dates are set in advance and places are limited. It's the cheapest option for a long-distance journey, as long as you can be flexible by a few days.
How horse transport works
Your transporter in 4 steps. Your contact details stay private until you choose.
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Departure, arrival, date, number of horses. Your request goes out anonymously to the transporters who cover your departure area.
Anonymous · 1 single form -
Up to 3 transporters in your region email you their price and availability.
Up to 3 priced offers -
Price, dates, terms: you pick the offer that suits you. Only then are your contact details passed on, and only to that transporter.
Contact details shared with 1 transporter only -
You agree the pick-up time and the plan directly with the transporter. They handle loading, the road and delivery.
International: passport + health certificate
Why use Cavalotrans for your horses
- Verified transporters. Every listing is checked before joining the network.
- Up to 3 quotes. Priced and sent by email: you compare and you choose.
- Contact details protected. They go only to the transporter you choose, never before.
- Several quotes, one request. You describe your journey once, you don't have to chase anyone.
- Approvals and compliance. Listed transporters must provide proof of their approvals (vehicles approved for transporting live animals, certificate of competence, Community transport licence for European journeys).
Our horse transport prices
No competitor shows prices: it's the best way to get you on the phone before you know what you'll pay. We prefer the opposite. Here are some guide prices, per horse and per direction:
| Journey | Distance | Guide price range |
|---|---|---|
| Within the region | 100 to 300 km | about €1.20 to €1.80/km |
| Domestic | 400 to 900 km | about €0.90 to €1.30/km |
| International EU | 1,000 km and over | tailored quote |
| Place in shared transport | long distance | fixed rate per place, depending on departure |
What affects the price: the actual distance, the number of horses, the type of vehicle (single stall or 3 to 5-horse lorry), health formalities, the season, and whether the return trip is empty.
These ranges are a guide only and must be confirmed in your quote: moving a riding-school pony and a competition horse leaving the country are two very different jobs. The only figure that counts is the one for your journey. Details and worked examples on our horse transport prices page.
to get a firm price.
Frequently asked questions about horse transport
I'm a private owner. Am I allowed to transport my horse myself?
Yes, for personal use. You must carry the horse's passport/identification document, the horse must be fit to travel, and the vehicle must be suitable. The certificate of competence (CAPTAV) and the transport log mainly apply to professional transporters paid for journeys of more than 65 km. That said, beyond a few hours on the road, fatigue, breaks and the horse's stress work against you: that's often when people turn to a transporter.
Do you offer transport with a driver?
Yes, that's how the transporters listed on Cavalotrans work: you never drive. The chosen transporter handles loading, the road, the stops and delivery.
Which documents do I need to provide?
The horse's passport or identification document, its identity (name, microchip or markings), your contact details and those of the recipient, and for international journeys the health documents required by the destination country.
What is the minimum insurance to take out?
For a professional transporter, professional liability insurance and vehicle insurance are mandatory, with cover that extends to the animals transported: this is the cover included at no extra cost in every Cavalotrans service (see the Horse transport insurance included section above). If you transport your horse yourself, standard car insurance does not always cover the animal in an accident: check with your insurer whether you need an extension or dedicated mortality/transport insurance.
Have another question? The Cavalotrans blog explains the regulations and real-life situations.
Useful sources- Regulation (EC) No 1/2005: protection of animals during transport
- IFCE / Équipédia: general rules on transporting horses
- IFCE: exporting a horse (TRACES procedure)
- French Ministry of Agriculture: transporting animals during a heatwave
- Service-Public.fr: transporting an animal, your obligations
- FNCH: guide to transporting horses (2024)