Summer Safety Precautions for Transporting Horses

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reminds anyone involved in handling or transporting animals to take appropriate measures to protect animals from the effects of extreme temperatures.

Every person transporting animals by any means in Canada is legally obligated to ensure that the entire trip – including loading, transporting, and unloading – does not result in injury, suffering or death to the animals. Regulations apply to anyone involved in the transportation process, including owners, shippers, and drivers.

During the summer months, extra measures should be taken to protect animals from undue stress, including:

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Providing sufficient ventilation at all times, including when the vehicle is stopped or animals are waiting to be loaded or unloaded.
Monitoring weather conditions closely and adjusting ventilation accordingly.
Delaying loading and transport during extremely hot periods.
Parking vehicles containing animals in the shade (not directly in the sunlight). When it is necessary to stop, minimize the duration of the stop to prevent the build-up of heat in the vehicle.

For more information, consult Section 5.4 of the National Farm Animal Care Council’s Recommended code of practice for the care and handling of farm animals – Transportation.