Transport to competitions represents a significant welfare challenge for horses, with cumulative effects on stress physiology and health that require careful management.
Competition travel is a welfare-intensive aspect of equestrian sport that receives insufficient attention. Each transport event triggers a cascade of physiological stress responses, respiratory compromise from head-up posture, and risk of dehydration. Horses competing frequently at distant venues may spend considerable time in transport across a season, accumulating significant welfare costs. The evidence supports several practical improvements: habituation training, appropriate ventilation, water access, and rest breaks. The welfare case for reducing unnecessary transport, choosing nearer competitions, and prioritizing animal welfare over competitive ambition is compelling.