Long-distance horse transport causes physiological stress, respiratory disease risk, and injury, with transport duration, vehicle design, and management practices critically affecting individual welfare outcomes.
Horse transport welfare is shaped by the interaction of journey duration, vehicle design, ambient temperature, forage and water access, and the individual horse's previous transport experience. Long-distance transport in horses is well-documented to cause physiological stress, respiratory compromise, and injury risk - these are not merely theoretical concerns but measured outcomes in transport research. The head-tying practice, used to prevent horses hitting each other, is directly linked to shipping fever risk by preventing the head lowering that clears the upper airway. Welfare-positive transport planning minimizes journey duration, provides regular water and forage access, uses well-designed vehicles with adequate ventilation, and allows horses to rest before onward transport.