We specialise in exporting horses worldwide for show jumping, dressage, racing, breeding, polo, or simply as cherished pets.
Currently, we offer two export options to the European Union: Direct Exports or, if direct exports are not possible, Exports via Mauritius. Additionally, we handle exports to Mauritius for horses whose final destination is Mauritius.
Since 2010, the only way to move horses from South Africa to the EU was via Mauritius or directly to the USA. While the Mauritius route was effective, it added significant costs and time – about 90 extra days in Mauritius – which impacted procurement and shipping.
In March 2024, the ban on direct exports from South Africa to the EU was lifted after six years of efforts by the South African Equine Health and Protocols (SAEHP) in collaboration with the government.
The first direct export from Cape Town to Europe since the ban was lifted, successfully departed on 17 August 2024.
Moving to the Western Cape:
• If your horse is not already in the Western Cape, its movement will depend on its vaccination status and whether direct movement is open from its current location.
• If either is an issue, the horse will need to undergo a 16-17 day stopover quarantine or will need to go to a vector protected quarantine before entering the Western Cape.
Residency and Quarantine in the Western Cape:
• Horses must complete 40 days of residency in the Free Zone, including 14 days of hard lockdown at Kenilworth Quarantine before the flight.
Flight Details:
• Horses travel in a co-share charter with 21 or 32 horses per shipment.
• Pre-screening tests and private vet costs before and during quarantine are included.
• SAEHP export permits are required.
Post-Arrival in the EU:
• No post-arrival quarantine is required.
• We manage all arrangements up to the horses’ arrival in the EU and can assist with further logistics, though we recommend using a local agent for post-arrival handling.
For horses end destination Mauritius:
• Horses travel in a co-share charter with 18 horses per shipment.
• They must relocate to the Western Cape, if not already there.
• Horses need to complete 40 days residency in the AHS surveillance zone
• Of those 40 days, a 21-day pre-export isolation period is completed at Kenilworth Quarantine.
• Horses must test negative for Piroplasmosis, with treatment as necessary to achieve this status.
