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, free quotes by email.
Horse transport in France and Europe
The Cavalotrans European network is dense, both in its infrastructure and in the horse transporters we have identified and checked. It covers all of France (Brittany, Normandy, Pays de la Loire, the South-West, Auvergne, the Paris region) and connects 19 countries in Europe.
A trip within France is usually done in one go, within the day. Transport to Spain, Italy, Germany or Poland generally takes 1 to 3 days depending on distance, including regulated driving time and breaks.
Two European rules set the pace of stops. The driver takes a 45-minute break after 4 hours 30 of driving (Regulation (EC) No 561/2006). For a journey of more than 8 hours, Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport requires domestic equidae to be watered at least every 8 hours.
See the details of the countries covered and routes.
Horse transport, a regulated specialty
The transporters listed on Cavalotrans specialise in equine transport: no livestock, no general freight. Vehicles designed for the job, drivers who do nothing else.
This specialty is also a legal requirement. To transport horses for payment in France, a company needs an authorisation from the DDPP (the departmental authority in charge of consumer protection), issued for Type 1 (short journeys) or Type 2 (long journeys and international, with in addition the approval of each vehicle). We check that every listed company exists and is still active in the official registers. The approvals shown on a listing are declared by the transporter: ask for them, together with its insurance certificate, before you choose.
Are you a transporter and do not yet have this authorisation? We prepare your Type 1 or Type 2 file, Cerfa forms included, up to its submission to the DDPP. See the transporter file service.
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.
On international journeys, transport is almost always by road. For a journey that justifies it, a horse can also travel by air, accompanied by a specialised freight forwarder: our page on horse transport by plane explains how.
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).
Europe: 18 other countries served
- France50 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Belgium17 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Netherlands21 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Germany20 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- United Kingdom30 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Spain11 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Italy19 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Switzerland6 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Austria5 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Portugal4 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Poland8 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Czech Republic9 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Denmark5 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Sweden8 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Norway3 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Finland2 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Luxembourg2 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
- Hungary3 listed transporters1.53 to 1.87 € estimated price/km
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.
What we bring: a free quote from the transporters in your region, 0% commission on the price of your transport. One contact once you have chosen, and you pay the chosen transporter directly, at the price of their proposal.
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.
What we bring: a place in a shared transport is charged at a flat rate depending on the departure point, cheaper than an individual vehicle over the same distance. Describe your trip and we put you in touch with an existing or upcoming shared transport in your region. See our guide prices.
What Cavalotrans brings to transporters
Do you transport horses? Cavalotrans brings you riders' requests, the tools to answer them quickly, and work on your visibility.
DashboardRequests received, selection rate, France and abroad, at a glance.
PlanningMonthly calendar, synced with Google, Outlook or Apple.
Requests and return tripsYour received requests, a reply in one click, and the "On the way back" block so you do not drive home empty.
BillingQuote calculated in one click.
Vehicles and documentsTransport document templates, authorisation file.
AssistantEvery request read, a verified listing, at your service.
Claim my listing · See the professional account · See our full transporter offer
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
Is the quote request free?
Yes. Describing your trip and receiving offers costs you nothing and commits you to nothing: you choose one offer, or none. You then pay the transporter you chose, at the price of their offer.
How long does it take to receive offers?
It depends on the trip, the date and the transporters' availability. Your request is passed on to the transporters in your region. Their offers reach you by e-mail, and you follow your request on its tracking page.
How are transporters checked?
We check that the company exists and is active in the official registers: the French company directory and the BODACC in France, the VAT number (VIES) in the European Union. The approvals shown on a listing are declared by the transporter: ask for their transport authorisation and insurance certificate before you choose.
What should I prepare for my horse's transport?
The horse's identification document (SIRE card or passport), which travels with it for the whole trip. For a trip abroad, a health certificate issued in TRACES by your vet, to arrange before departure.
Do you transport horses abroad?
Yes, Cavalotrans serves 19 countries in Europe. An international request is passed on to transporters in the country of departure or the country of arrival.
Is my horse insured during transport?
A professional transporter insures its vehicle and its civil liability. What the insurance covers for the horse itself (limit, excess, exclusions) varies from one transporter to another: ask for it with the quote, before you choose.
How do I cancel my request?
You never have to choose an offer: until you choose, nothing is committed. To stop the follow-up e-mails, click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of a message. To withdraw your request, write to us in the chat.
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 civil liability insurance and vehicle insurance are compulsory. What the insurance covers for the horse itself (limit, excess, exclusions) varies from one transporter to another: ask for it with the quote, before you choose. If you transport your horse yourself, standard car insurance does not always cover the animal in an accident: check with your insurer whether an extension or a dedicated mortality/transport policy is needed.
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)
How horse transport works
Your transporter in 4 steps. Your contact details stay private until you choose.
Departure, arrival, date, number of horses. Your request goes out anonymously to the transporters who cover your departure area.
Anonymous · 1 single formCarriers in your region email you their price and availability.
Priced offers by emailPrice, 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 onlyYou agree the pick-up time and the plan directly with the transporter. They handle loading, the road and delivery.
International: passport + health certificate