When Horses Fly

Without wings, even the fastest horses need a little help to fly, and they get this assistance in increasing numbers each year from commercial air haulers.

Transporting horses by airplane started in the 1920s but did not immediately become popular until several decades later due to factors like expense and the unique requirements involved in moving a large, living animal. Today, horses are routinely flown across the country and to international destinations for breeding, racing, horse show competitions, or simply because of a change of ownership.

Horses are readied for flight by loading them into open-topped stalls that are assembled around each horse. These solid-walled compartments are lifted into the airplane’s cargo area and grouped side by side as they are secured inside the aircraft. The horses are given water and hay as they travel and are accompanied by several attendants who can keep an eye on their live cargo during the trip. Flights are generally uneventful though some horses, like human airline passengers, may suffer from signs of jet lag, dehydration, or respiratory infections.

Cost of shipping a horse by air varies by carrier and destination. Average expense for flying between the U.S. and Europe is around $10,000 per equine, while sending a horse to Australia from the U.S. could cost the owner more than $20,000.