How horses are transported by plane?

For the international competitions and events thousands of sport horses fly across the globe every week.

How do they travel around the world? 

The only way this is possible is because to the professionally run equine air transportation industry and the hardworking staff who cares about every element of the horses' welfare.   

The journey begins with horses loading onto trailers and traveling to specialized airports equipped for livestock transport. The aim is to make their travel as smooth as possible, enabling their best performance once they arrive at their destination.

During Transport: Upon arrival at the airport, horses are loaded into specialized containers for the flight, offering different classes for their comfort. Smaller horses may share a container, while larger show jumpers get extra space in "business class." These containers are then loaded into the cargo bay of airplanes, often Boeing 747s, with the upper deck reserved for human passengers like vets and grooms. Costs typically run in the four figures per stall for transatlantic flights. When it comes to horse aviation travel, safety is unquestionably the top priority.

The airlines employ professional assistance who are trained to coordinate and fly with equestrian passengers in addition to individual attendants from the separate farms. The horses are fed, watered, and kept comfortable by attendants from both farms and airlines throughout the voyage. In certain instances, the horse(s) are even accompanied by private vets.

Depending on how long the trip is, the FEI (International Federation of Equestrian Sport) Code of Conduct for equine welfare mandates an appropriate rest intervals between travel and competition. Making ensuring horses are in the optimal condition before shipping is a crucial component of successful travel. This includes having all current immunizations required by the country of destination.

Before being loaded onboard the plane, the horse may have shipping boots and/or wraps on if he is used to doing so. It is not a good idea to introduce anything unusual at this time if a horse is not accustomed to such leg protection.

Some air transportation businesses that use smaller aircraft require horses to walk up a ramp into the plane, just as if they were going onto a truck or trailer. However, for international flights on larger jets, horses are loaded directly into specialized stalls. These stalls, positioned on pallets, are lifted to the plane's level using a platform lift. They are then slid into the open plane doorway and securely fastened within the pallet system, which is locked down onto the aircraft floor. The arrangement of the stalls within the pallet system follows strict weight and balance guidelines.

For competitive horses, its better to maintain their established routines to avoid disruptions. Food and water, especially the smell, should be familiar to horses.

Great emphasis should be placed on keeping horses well hydrated before, during and after the trip. During the flight, the horses are watered by hand, so the groom/attendant can monitor how much each horse is drinking. In some cases, horses may receive intravenous fluid therapy upon arrival at their destination.

Upon Arrival: Once the plane lands, horses are unloaded and follow the destination country's protocols. Continued care is taken to monitor their health, including their appetite, attitude, feed and water intake, and physical functions.

Any deviations from the usual condition, such as the presence of a fever, signs of depression, loss of appetite, or respiratory issues, a veterinarian must be consulted right away to ensure the horse's continued well-being.