A review: Today's practices about the fitness for travel on land of horses toward the slaughterhouse

• Published in: Journal of veterinary behavior 2019-01, Vol.29, p.102-107
• Main Authors: Vermeulen, L., Van Beirendonck, S., Van Thielen, J., Driessen, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: fitness; horse; legal regulations; slaughter; transport
• ISSN: 1558-7878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2018.05.006

Worldwide, millions of horses are transported toward slaughterhouses each year. The fitness for travel of those horses before they go onto transport has a major effect on the welfare of the horses during the loading, transportation, unloading, and slaughter process. In addition, a physically fit horse is more capable to handle stress than an unfit horse. Therefore, many legal regulations were introduced by governments to define the meaning and condition of a physically fit horse before going on transportation. The fact that fitness for travel is included in those horse transport codes demonstrates its importance. However, there is still no convention about some fitness for travel aspects, which is demonstrated by the differences in several regulations. Therefore, the main goal of this article is to discuss and highlight all critical issues about the fitness for travel of horses that will be transported to the slaughterhouse. In addition, the current legal regulations are described and potential deficiencies in those regulations are pointed out for further investigation. In short, this article illustrates the need for worldwide legislation, based on scientific research, to provide minimal requirements regarding fitness for travel that a horse should meet before being allowed on transportation. Such legislation would leave no room for interpretation of regulations or discussion about the fitness for travel of horses.