Road transport is a significant source of stress and injury for horses, and transport welfare depends critically on vehicle design, journey duration and handling practices.
Horses are prey animals with strong flight responses that make the confinement of transport inherently stressful. Injuries from falling occur at abrupt vehicle manoeuvres. Dehydration during transport reduces gut motility and increases colic risk. Stress-related immune suppression makes horses more vulnerable to respiratory pathogens picked up during transit.