Analysis of current methods and Welfare concerns in the transport of 118 horses by commercial air cargo companies.
Authors: Felici Martina, Cogger Naomi, Nanni Costa Leonardo, Riley Christopher Bruce, Padalino Barbara
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Air Transport of Horses: Welfare Issues and Current Practice Gaps Commercial air transport remains an understudied area of equine welfare, yet horses are regularly moved internationally via cargo flights for competition, breeding and sales. Felici and colleagues conducted a prospective analysis of 118 horses across multiple air journeys, systematically documenting transport practices, behavioural responses, and health changes throughout pre-flight, flight and post-flight phases whilst examining associations between journey variables, handling protocols and welfare outcomes. The research identified significant welfare concerns including instances of injury, stress-related behaviours and physiological changes during transport, with specific patterns emerging around loading procedures, flight duration and aircraft conditions. Findings revealed variation in industry standards and practice consistency across commercial operators, suggesting that current guidelines may not be uniformly implemented or adequately protective. For equine professionals involved in international movement of horses—whether advising clients, conducting pre-transport assessments or managing post-arrival recovery—these findings highlight the importance of scrutinising individual operator practices, advocating for consistent welfare protocols, and considering whether air transport is genuinely necessary given documented risks and stress responses during the journey phases.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Air transport poses quantifiable welfare risks to horses; document baseline health and behavior before transport and monitor carefully during each phase
- •Specific transport practices and horse factors predict welfare problems—use this to identify high-risk individuals and modify practices accordingly
- •Work with air cargo companies to implement evidence-based welfare standards, as current practices lack standardization and regulation
Key Findings
- •Study documented welfare issues and behavioral/health changes across 118 horses during commercial air cargo transport phases
- •Analysis identified associations between horse characteristics, journey details, transport practices, and welfare outcomes
- •Current air transport methods and their welfare consequences were systematically characterized for the first time