Transport Regulations
The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 2006
Those involved in the preparation of horses for transport and in the transporting of horses should be knowledgeable about horse care and behaviour, adhere to the principles of animal welfare, comply with the relevant regulations and be competent in the transport of horses.
Anyone involved in the commercial transport of horses must be authorised by the Animal Health Agency and comply fully with the Regulation, which is complex. Under the Regulation competency certificates for the driver and handler are required, vehicles must be approved in certain circumstances (especially for longer journeys), and most export journeys of unregistered horses of an economic nature must be pre-authorised. All those involved in horse transport, other than of their own horses on short journeys, should make sure they are aware of the requirements of the Welfare of Animals (Transport)(England) Order 2006 and EU Council Regulation 1/2005.
The handler must have easy access to each individual horse. The driver and where applicable attendant, is responsible for the continued care, health and welfare of the horses during transport. A driver must hold the driving licence appropriate to the vehicle to be driven.
Drivers should start, drive and stop their vehicles as smoothly as possible. They should practice defensive driving to avoid sudden stops. Drivers should negotiate turns in the smoothest possible manner and drive at a speed appropriate to the load they are carrying, road conditions and legal speed limit.
The transportation of horses from point of origin to a final destination must be completed safely and with the minimum of delay.
It is an offence to transport an animal which is unfit for the journey, due to lameness, illness, injury or debility. This does not apply to an animal being moved under veterinary supervision, for the purposes of diagnosis and treatment, provided the journey is as short as reasonably possible and precautions are taken to minimise suffering.
Each load must be checked before departure and periodically during transportation. During roadside inspection, the driver should check all animals for signs of discomfort. When a situation arises that means the welfare of the horses is likely to be compromised due to further transport, then arrangements must be changed to allow a break in the journey as soon as possible.
Transportation is recognised as a potential stress to horses. Horses stressed by transport should be closely observed for several days for signs of ill health.
Donkeys will suffer the same stress as horses but may not exhibit obvious signs. Attention should be paid to subtle changes in demeanour and appetite, preferably by a handler with whom the individual animals are familiar.
For further details on Vehicles, Trailers and Equipment, Loading Density and Headroom, Space Requirements, Segregation, Loading and Unloading, Holding Facilities, Feed, Water and Rest, Export and Import please refer to NEWC’s Equine Industry Welfare Guidelines Compendium.
