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Owning a horse
Keeping a horse is both rewarding and a responsibility. In a planned residential area you need a permit from the municipality and you must follow the rules for animal keeping and manure management.
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Please note that all forms, digital applications (e-services) and some linked websites are currently in Swedish. Contact Citizen Service if you need help in English.
Permits and rules for keeping horses
You do not need a special permit to keep a horse for private use. However, in a planned residential area you must have a permit from the local environment and building committee. If you run a professional horse business, you need a permit from the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
Horse passport
All horses in the European Union must have a horse passport that is valid for life. The purpose of the passport is to confirm the horse’s identity, reduce the spread of disease and prevent medicines from entering the food chain.
Manure storage and handling
Horse manure contains nutrients that can pollute water if handled incorrectly. In Boden, manure must be stored on sealed surfaces such as a manure slab or a container. Storage directly on the ground is only allowed temporarily before spreading.
Clean paddocks regularly, especially near feeding and watering places, to reduce leakage as well as problems with odour and flies.
Consideration for neighbours and the environment
Horses can cause disturbances such as odour, dust, allergens or flies. As a horse owner, you are responsible for preventing such problems. Examples include planting protective bushes, moving feeding areas and keeping paddocks clean.
When the horse dies
A dead horse must normally be transported away by an authorised transporter for destruction. Burial can be allowed if you have suitable land and receive approval from the local environment and building unit. The grave must be at least 2.5–3 metres deep and at a safe distance from groundwater and watercourses.
For dogs, cats and other pets no permit is required for burial.
Do you want to access a specific document? Contact Citizen Service, and we will help you retrieve and read the full document.
Contact
Citizen Service
E-mail: kommunen@boden.se
Phone: +46 921 620 00