How Important are Best Practices and a Horse’s Characteristics to Protect Welfare During Equine Air Transport?

Abstract

Abstract Equine air transport is a complex event. This study presents the cases of two horses transported from the USA to New Zealand and discusses the importance of knowing the horse’s temperament and previous travel history (i.e., transport-related health and behavioural problems) and appropriate management. The two horses were reported to have temperament traits of nervousness/excitability and stubbornness, limited travel training and experience, and previous transport-related problems. After being quarantined for 23 days, the horses were transported by road to the departure airport, where they were unloaded from the road vehicle, health-checked, and loaded without problems into three-horse capacity jet stalls, by a flight groom with 50 years of experience in horse handling. During the flight, the horses were regularly checked, watered, and fed; both ate and drank. However, on arrival, when the horses were monitored, both showed fever (rectal temperature > 38.6°C). While the flight groom’s experience may have facilitated the handling of the horses during the air transport phases, reducing the risk of injuries, the horses could have had difficulty coping with air transport stress, developing fever after the flight due to their poor temperament and previous travel history. Knowing the individual details of the horses, training or re-training them for loading and travelling, and monitoring them carefully before, during, and after the air journey are recommended to minimise the welfare issues associated with air transport. Information © The Authors 2024