Pilot Study on Annual Horse Movements by Air and the Possible Effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Authors: Felici Martina, Cogger Naomi, Riley Christopher B, Padalino Barbara
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Annual Horse Movements by Air and COVID-19 Impacts International air transport represents a significant but poorly documented aspect of the equine industry, yet no comprehensive data existed on annual shipment volumes, purposes, or routes prior to this work. Researchers contacted 15 international shipping companies and 8 airlines to gather retrospective data from 2018–2021, ultimately collecting information from 7 shippers and 5 carriers regarding their horse movements and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the median shipping companies and airlines each facilitated approximately 10,400–10,650 horse movements annually, with primary routes concentrated in Europe (particularly Western and Northern Europe), the Middle East, Africa, Australasia, and the Americas, though 2020 saw marked reductions across nearly all carriers due to pandemic-related restrictions. The findings highlight a substantial global trade in air-transported horses—potentially over 100,000 movements annually when extrapolated across the full industry—yet the welfare, biosecurity, and epidemiological implications of this intensive movement pattern remain largely unstudied. For equine professionals involved in pre-transport assessment, quarantine protocols, and post-arrival care, these findings underscore an urgent need for evidence-based transport standards and regulations, particularly regarding disease surveillance and stress mitigation during long-haul air journeys where horses face cumulative physiological challenges.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •If you ship horses internationally by air, be aware that 2020 saw reduced movement volumes industry-wide due to COVID-19, which may affect logistics planning and partner availability
- •Current practices for air-transporting horses lack scientific validation for welfare and disease risk—advocate for your industry partners to participate in research initiatives to establish evidence-based standards
- •Understanding that major routes exist between Europe, Middle East, North America, and Australasia can help you anticipate health screening and quarantine requirements relevant to your region
Key Findings
- •International shipping companies performed a median of 10,401 horse movements annually across multiple continents, with concentrations in Europe, Middle East/Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Americas
- •Airlines performed a median of 10,656 horse movements annually to and from Europe, North America, Australasia, and the Middle East
- •Horse movements by air decreased in 2020 for all but one airline, indicating the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on equine air transport
- •Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding epidemiological and welfare risks specific to air transport of horses, limiting development of evidence-based best practices and regulations