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Everything Equine
Living in France with your horse or pony does not necessarily mean you can follow the same 'rules' as living in the UK.
Whether you have bought your best friend with you or have bought in France there are criteria you must observe.
Please join our Forum and tell us what you know and what you would like to see
This Beginners guide was sent to us and may give you some basic ideas for living in France with your Horse and Pony.
(N.B. It is a leisure riders guide)
LOCAL RIDING
Any route between fields and not on the crops i.e. tractor access (chemin) is a bridle path.
There are local randonee routes map available at every Mairie.
There are several clubs in most areas of France.They can be leisure or competition based but all must be FFE registered.
FARRIER
Pages Jaunes, there are also many English farriers working in France. We are currently setting up a register
TACK etc
Basic tack supplies, brushes, head collars, basic riderwear - Decathlon, Intersport, Sport 2000
plus loads tack and field shops.
FENCING
Electric Fencing - most farmers supplies + plently others and online in France.
Can be cheaper than in the UK - UK and French electric fencing is compatible.
Fence posts, can be expensive in France, garden centre and brico-DIY depots stock can be a bit flimsy for horses.
FEED & Bedding
UK & French/European foods, AlphAlpha A about 9€ sack
Most French feed contains Oats (Avoine)
Falcon, Baileys, Royal Horse, D&H etc all available
The Mairie usually knows farmers with Foin (hay)
VET
Look for a specialist equine vet. Again Telephone directory and word of mouth.
WORMING - Insecticides
Vet or Pharmacy
Buying French available products addresses the local flora and insects.
Its best to use a head and ear net here in summer as many horses get ear mites and rashes and the nets are good to prevent this (and the head shaking that goes with it!!!)
FFE
www.ffe.com
is the equivalent of the BHSI /BHS and covers licences necessary for riding in France. RANDO CHEVALs FFE licence is 25€ a year and i.e for 80€ 3 horses and rider are insured for riding on the roads third party liability.
For Children, MAE (School childrens insurance-option accidents out of school) is good riding insurance which most clubs insist on inscription. Approx 30€ a year.
CLUBS & SHOWS
Saut / Obstacle - Show jumping
Cross - cross country
NB. To take part at any level you will need:
Doctors certificate (lasts a year) to say you are fit to ride (about 20€)
The Horse needs to be registered and verified with SIRE
Safety Insurance as above.
SIRE
Is the registration body for Horses, Registration people. Difficult to get to the right department but if you need to they can find someone who speaks English.
RIDING HATS
French schools/ Clubs prefer velvet /casque / bombe and NF prefix.
The schools are not keen on UK Kitemarked hats.
Decathlon and other sports shops do day to day and show jumping ranges.
BOXES & TRAILERS
Trailers (VANS) are expensive here and need a licence like a car.
UK trailers should have a certificate of conformity if you put on French plates
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