Horse smuggling 

Transported to and from the UK in horrendous conditions, deprived of food and water, kept in cramped and filthy, unsafe conditions – the frightened horses caught up in this trade are not only exhausted but experience rough handling and mistreatment, as well as being at high risk of disease. Some of these horses may be bound for slaughter but for the vast majority their fate is unknown and could be much worse.  

The traders involved see horses as mere commodities. They do not care for their welfare and cut costs at every opportunity. By giving the horses new identities, they can hide a horse’s history and sell them on for a higher cost. Should the smugglers be caught then there are minimal consequences, meaning there is no deterrent or repercussions for these illegal activities. 

We need your help to make sure this trade is stopped for good and ensure no more horses end up being transported to an unknown fate. 

For horses to be protected from horse smuggling, we must make it harder for traders to hide journeys and reidentify horses – and for this to happen we need a fully digitalised equine identification and traceability system and better enforcement.

Find out more about what we are doing to end Horse Smuggling 

Find out how the most recent group of horses who were being illegally smuggled out of the UK are settling into our care.