The current heatwave has given everyone the same thought and many social media forums raising the same question: “Surely this is illegal.” Usually that relates to wearing a suit on the Central Line on the way to an office job where there will more than likely be AC but for the equine industry, the question is more serious: when is it lawful to transport a horse in extreme heat?
The short answer is: only if the horse’s welfare can be properly protected throughout the journey.
The law does not say, “No horses may travel when humans are melting into the tarmac.” But it does impose clear duties, and those duties become much harder to satisfy when the temperature rises.
Whilst Britain is better known for its cold and wet weather, these heatwaves are becoming more prevalent and appear to be becoming the norm, and therefore it is anticipated that the legalities on transporting horses during the summer months will be something that will soon be a yearly consideration.
The starting point: animals are not luggage
In England, the starting point is the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It creates a duty on any person responsible for an animal to ensure that its welfare needs are met. Those needs include (but not limited to):
- a suitable environment;
- a suitable diet;
- ability to exhibit normal behaviour;
- protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
In transport terms, that means a horse cannot simply be loaded, shut in a metal box and wished the best of British luck. The person responsible must think about whether the journey is safe and suitable for that horse on that day
The Act also makes it an offence to cause an animal unnecessary suffering. This principle is not new. In Ford v Wiley (1889) 23 QBD 203, the court considered what “unnecessary suffering” meant and made clear that suffering may be unlawful where it could reasonably have been avoided. In modern heatwave terms, if a journey can be delayed, shortened, re-routed, ventilated, watered or avoided altogether, those steps matter.
Put simply: if the horse is cooking and the humans had sensible alternatives, the law is unlikely to be impressed by “but I was meant to be in the ring at 10.15” or “but it was the last qualifier of the season”.
The transport rules: not just horsebox etiquette
The detailed transport regime sits under the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 and the retained/assimilated rules derived from Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport.
These rules apply particularly where animals are transported in connection with an economic activity. That can include professional transporters, dealers, commercial competition yards and other business-related movements.
The core requirements are sensible but strict:
- Animals must be fit for transport;
- Journeys must be planned to minimise delay;
- Vehicles must be suitable and properly ventilated;
- Handlers must be competent; and
- Water, rest and care must be provided where necessary.
In short: the law does not require perfection, but it does require proper welfare planning.
The 2025 Heat Rule: 30°C Is Not Just “A Bit Warm”
The heatwave issue has become sharper because of The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. These Regulations amend the welfare-in-transport framework and introduce clearer temperature-related controls.
Most importantly for equines, they include a prohibition on transporting horses where the external temperature is 30°C or above, unless the vehicle is fitted with an appropriate thermoregulation system.
That is a significant development. It means that, once the outside temperature reaches 30°C, ordinary ventilation may not be enough. The transporter must consider whether the vehicle has a system capable of regulating the internal environment so that the horse is not exposed to dangerous heat.
There are also tighter controls for temperature extremes more generally, including restrictions where temperatures are very hot or very cold. The overall direction of travel is clear: animal transport must be planned around welfare, not convenience or whether you have taken a day off work to compete that day.
Practical compliance: the “don’t be daft” checklist
Before transporting a horse in hot weather, ask:
- Can the journey be delayed until early morning or evening?
- Is the external temperature likely to reach 30°C or more?
- If so, does the vehicle have a proper thermoregulation system?
- Is the route clear of major delays?
- Is there adequate water available?
- Is the horse genuinely fit to travel?
- Are rugs, boots and travel gear appropriate for the heat?
- Is cancellation the safer option?
Yes, cancelling is annoying. So is explaining to an enforcement officer why a horse was transported at lunchtime in extreme heat because “the schedule was tight”.
Why this matters
The law’s message is refreshingly simple: horses are sentient animals, not parcels with hooves.
During a heatwave, the safest test may be this:
If the horse could read the forecast and the transport plan, would it still get on the lorry?
If the answer is “neigh”, the journey can probably wait.