August 2022

Industry Notice

Road Safety Week: Transporting Horses Safely

Monday, August 22 marked the beginning of the eighth Queensland Road Safety Week. This year's theme is Road Safety Starts with Me.

Road Safety Starts with Me

Whether you travel a little bit or a lot, it's important to be conscious of some key road safety reminders all year round.

Remember to avoid the Fatal Five:

• Speeding
• Drink driving
• Driving tired
• Driving unrestrained
• Distractions (e.g. using mobile phones)

Improve safety by remaining patient and courteous towards other drivers, sharing the road with other users safely and ensuring your vehicle is properly maintained and safe to drive.

We all have a role to play in keeping ourselves and each other safe on or near our roads. For those in the racing industry, that responsibility extends to ensuring the safety of our animals during transportation.

Safe Transportation of Horses

Safe transportation of race horses to and from the track, between stable properties and to and from veterinary clinics is the responsibility of trainers and owners, and their staff.

Expectations of the industry are that all animals are transported in a vehicle that would pass a roadworthy inspection. Particular care should be taken when checking that floorboards are not rotted and meet safety standards.

Participants transporting horses must ensure:

• Towing vehicles are adequately rated for the weight of the trailer/float fully loaded with horses and gear and have appropriate electric brakes
• Towing vehicles are constructed in a manner that provides safe transport of the horses in all weather, including:
  • non-slip floors and ramps,
  • appropriate barrier divisions between horses,
  • no protrusions or other sharp surfaces that can cause injury
  • securely fastened ramps/tailgates
  • adequate ventilation and/or air-conditioning for completely enclosed vehicles.
• Journeys are properly planned, particularly journeys of more than two hours, including rest stops, ability to provide water during the journey and safe areas to unload horses to allow them to stretch and rest
• Transport vehicles are kept clean and disinfected regularly
• Participants should consider the value of leg protection, and rugging, where climate appropriate
• If horses are tied for transport, consider the need for a quick-release mechanism in the event of an emergency
• Each vehicle contains a first aid kit

For a comprehensive guide to welfare standards and guidelines around animal transportation, visit Animal welfare during transport | Business Queensland or Animal welfare and ethics | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland (daf.qld.gov.au)

We can all take steps to ensure animal welfare during the transportation process. Remember, it's up to all of us to ensure that every road user reaches their destination safely.

For further information about Queensland Road Safety Week, visit StreetSmarts - helping all road users to be safer on Queensland roads (initiatives.qld.gov.au)

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission