Why it Matters 

In 2007, 19 Belgian draft horses were tragically killed in a Wisconsin accident involving a double-decker trailer that was designed not for horses, but for cattle and hogs. The scene was brutal and tragic, a pickup colliding with the semi-truck, flipping it on its side. These stories are unfortunately all too common due to the use of double-decker trailers. 

 These types of trailers do not provide enough headroom for horses to stand upright, which can cause serious injury. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that horse trailers should be at least 7ft tall to accommodate the height of horses. Most double-decker trailers only max out at 5 ½ ft per level. 

“Double-deck trailers do not provide adequate headroom for adult horses, and accidents involving double-deck trailers are a terrifying reminder that the practice is also dangerous to the driving public.” Said Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee, who sponsored the bill.  

“Transporting horses in stacked double-deck trailers isn’t just inhumane – it’s dangerous,” said Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, another sponsor of the bill. 

With the implementation of the Horse Transportation Safety Act, we can help protect all horses from improper transportation practices that can lead to needless injury and possible death. 

Reach out to your legislators to encourage the passage of the Horse Transportation Safety Act! 

Comments on New Legislation 

There are a couple of pieces of legislation being introduced to the Senate and House of representatives of the United States that pertain to equine and hooved animal care. The Horse Transportation Safety Act (H.R.3623) is a piece of legislation that HAHS believes is vital and an enormous step towards the humane treatment and protection of equine animals.  

The Horse Transportation Safety Act aims to outlaw the use of double-decker trailers in the transportation of horses across state lines. In 2001, the US Department of Agriculture instituted rules to restrict the use of double-decker trailers, specifically when transporting horses to slaughter. However, the rule did not apply to horses travelling interstate or other interim points, a loophole this act hopes to close.  

These types of trailers, which are not designed to transport horses, but rather are more suited for cattle or hogs, are dangerous and woefully undersized when it comes to transporting horses. The American Veterinary Medical Society states that horse trailers should have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet to provide adequate headroom. The individual levels of double- decker trailers average at about 5 1/2ft to fit underneath more interstate overpasses. Accidents involving these types of trailers result in an increased chance of injury and death for equine animals being transported in them. Even in the absence of motor vehicle accidents, the inability for horses to stand up fully while in transit can cause needless injury for animals.  

The bill, introduced originally in 2008 by representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee, has struggled to gain enough support to push it past the finish line. Having passed the House twice in 2020 and 2022 when attached to bigger pieces of legislation, representatives like Cohen and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania are once again ramping up measures to gain bipartisan support for the act. “This bill is long overdue, and it’s time to get it across the finish line.” said Fitzpatrick in a statement.  

HAHS stands behind these representatives and others efforts who are pushing for the passage of this act. The passage of this act would be a big win for our equine friends that deserve the upmost respect and levels of protection.