Transporting horses to competitions involves significant welfare risks that can be minimised through proper vehicle preparation, journey management and post-travel care.
Competition horses are transported more frequently and over greater distances than most horses, creating a substantial cumulative welfare burden. Transport fatigue and stress, if not properly managed, can compromise both welfare and performance in ways that go unnoticed by owners focused on competition outcomes. The expectation that horses compete immediately after long journeys demonstrates a gap between welfare science and common competitive practice. Progressive competition regulations are beginning to reflect transport welfare evidence.