What are the current federal regulations regarding the transport of horses to slaughter?
Current regulations (9 CFR 88) include requirements for segregation of stallions and aggressive equines from others in the shipment; sufficient interior height to allow equines to stand with normal posture and head height, and sufficient floor space per equine to prevent crowding; doors and ramps of sufficient size to allow safe loading and unloading; provision of food, water, and an opportunity for the equines to rest for at least 6 hours immediately prior to transport; placement of a USDA backtag on each equine in the shipment; completion of shipping certificates regarding fitness to travel; safe driving habits to avoid causing injury to the animals; observation of the animals at intervals of not less than once every 6 hours; immediate euthanasia of any animal that becomes nonambulatory (unable to walk) en route; offloading and a minimum of 6 hours’ rest for animals that have been on the transport vehicle for 28 consecutive hours; proper handling of the equines to minimize discomfort
