Working Animals

Horse Transport Welfare: Long Journeys and Live Export

Horses transported over long distances for slaughter and competition face significant welfare challenges; welfare science is informing improvements.

Key Facts

Horses transported for over 8 hours show elevated stress hormones and disease risk
Live export of horses for slaughter involves journeys of 12-48 hours in some cases
Competition horses face stress from frequent transport combined with performance demands
Rest, water, and feed access during transport are key welfare determinants

Welfare Considerations

Horse transport causes fear, physical exertion maintaining balance, and social disruption. Long-distance transport for slaughter combines maximum journey stress with slaughter welfare challenges. Competition horses that travel frequently are at chronic stress risk. Welfare improvements include maximum journey time limits, mandatory rest stops, and design standards for transport vehicles.

What You Can Do

Support maximum journey time limits for horse transport
Advocate for phasing out live horse export for slaughter
Choose competition horses from establishments with welfare-conscious transport practices
Donate to organizations monitoring and advocating for horse transport welfare