Companion Animals

Horse Competition Transport Welfare

Horses transported to competitions face accumulated welfare challenges including long journeys, unfamiliar environments, and performance stress.

Key Facts

Long-distance transport raises cortisol in horses for up to 24 hours
Dehydration risk increases on journeys over 8 hours
Horses trailered in smaller loads show lower stress hormone levels
Acclimatisation time before competition improves performance and welfare
Respiratory infections are common after long transport due to immune suppression

Welfare Considerations

Competition horses are transported repeatedly throughout their careers, accumulating significant stress. Thoughtful journey planning, appropriate rest, hydration monitoring, and adequate acclimatisation time at venues can meaningfully improve competition horse welfare.

What You Can Do

Plan competition transport to minimise journey time and ensure adequate rest
Monitor horses closely for respiratory signs after long transport
Advocate for rest requirements in competition welfare codes