A hot trailer is hard on a horse. That's why rules apply to transport in hot weather, and they're becoming stricter. Below you'll read what's changing and what you can do yourself.
The Limit Moves to 30 Degrees
Right now, animal transport isn't allowed at 35°C or above. From 1 April 2027, that limit becomes 30°C. Above 30°C, you'll no longer be allowed to drive, unless you use a truck with active cooling.
Does a trip last longer than 8 hours? Then the ventilation must keep the inside temperature below 30°C.
This rule comes from the NVWA (the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) and applies in the Netherlands.
Does This Apply to You Too?
The hard 30°C limit applies to transport that falls under the rules for businesses. So mainly for commercial transport.
Are you transporting your own horse to a competition or training? Then you don't fall under that. Even so, the basic rule applies to everyone: you may never transport a horse in a way that causes it unnecessary suffering. For hot days, there's a separate Protocol for Extreme Weather Conditions for Horses. In short: even without a hard limit, use common sense.
Not to Be Confused With Other Changes
Several things are in motion around horse transport. It's easy to mix them up:
- The 30-degree rule above is a Dutch temperature rule, taking effect 1 April 2027.
- The European transport rules (Regulation 1/2005) are being revised, but there's no effective date for that yet. So this is not a 2027 fact.
- As of 1 July 2026, who issues horse passports changes in the Netherlands. That's unrelated to transport in hot weather.
Tips for Hot Weather
Whether the rule applies to you or not, these tips always help:
- Drive early in the morning or late in the evening.
- Open the ventilation and ensure airflow.
- Give your horse enough water, both en route and on arrival.
- Don't stand still in full sun, especially not with a closed trailer.
- Keep trips short and plan breaks in a shaded spot.
- Check your horse en route: sweating, rapid breathing, and restlessness are warning signs.
In Short
- Now: no transport at 35°C or above.
- From 1 April 2027: that limit becomes 30°C, unless actively cooled.
- The hard limit mainly applies to commercial transport.
- Transporting your own horse? Use common sense and the tips above.
The exact, current rules are available from the NVWA.
See also: Transporting Your Own Horse Privately · Transport decision tool · Glossary terms