Page 15 - LUA September - October 2023 Magzter

the industry. We have seen, and countries. So, the preparation again takes
continue to see, growth across the time and meticulous planning.
various equestrian disciplines with In addition, we need to ensure that the
bigger and better international events crates and penning systems used consider
hosted year on year. the animals’ welfare and safety. This often
With the increased movement of can mean designing and creating bespoke
performance horses, into and out of the units for specific shipments.
region, the need for specialised companies We also provide specialist veterinarians
like Equitrans that has the expertise to and certified animal handlers to ensure
handle the complete stable-to-stable or the safe and swift movement of animals
end-to-end logistics and management of adhering to industry best practice from
health, veterinary and quarantine stabling door to door.
of horses becomes paramount.
? What, according to you, works
? How different is pet relocation charters? Belly capacity?
better for animal transport -
compared to transport of
other animals? For all large animals, horses and exotics,
Equitrans is a company that specialises in we have to use the main deck capacity.
the movement of horses, live animals and Depending on the route and numbers,
pet relocation. The movement of horses we operate charters, part charters and
is far more specialised and has a lot more scheduled services.
requirements and protocols to consider All smaller animals and pets will go
compared to relocating pets, which, in in the belly, provided it is temperature
general, is less complicated. controlled and pressurised. This is where
For example, the preparation and most pets fly.
work involved in transporting horses
and larger live animals internationally ? What is your outlook for animal
requires considerable planning, usually transport? How has your business
between four and six weeks and this grown over the last couple of years?
includes quarantine, blood testing and The Covid-19 pandemic saw pet
vaccinations. However, in regard to ownership grow significantly as
pets, there simply aren't so many tests people craved companionship during
customised stalls for horses on wide body and vaccinations required, and most lockdown. For us, this has created a
freighters. This has become a plus as we countries don’t require any quarantine positive outlook in pet relocations - both
can fly horses into airports closest to their period for pets. domestic and overseas.
destination and reduce stress through All horse flights require a professional Horse movements are predicted to grow
prolonged transit times and road haulage. flying groom (animal attendant) and as equestrian competitions attract more
In terms of health regulations, this is their job is to look after the horses media coverage and bigger prize purses
something that continues to evolve and throughout the flight or often from with trade and breeding continuing to
expand depending on a specific country’s stable to stable, ensuring their safety and grow in new and emerging markets.
import and export health requirements plus are watered and fed. Live animals, and especially horses, are
any diseases that the exporting country may considered a premium product by most
or may not have and new countries that ? Equitrans has handled shipments airlines. This means they not only carry
begin to import and export from. of "exotic" animals - cheetahs, significant prestige but the airfreight
In addition to Covid, one of the biggest camels, zebras and more...what are the carriage and freight rates are higher than
changes we faced in the recent past was challenges here and how is it different most general cargo.
Brexit, which involved significant changes from regular animal transport? With the growth in live animals (AVI)
to the way animals transit between Over the years, the volumes of exotic products, we’ve seen more and more airlines
Europe and the U.K. animals transported have grown and invest in customised stalls, specialised
these are mainly for conservation facilities and other requirements to carry
? Your expertise is transporting projects, zoo parks and conservation- horses and other live animals.
Our business has grown considerably
breeding programmes.
horses - what changes have you
noticed in the area over the last couple of Of course, exotics are more over the last two years with air
years. What changes are you expecting in challenging to transport and require more movements increasing by 30 percent
the area in the coming years? documentation and permissions such and roads by over 40 percent. This
The GCC region has a heritage and is as Convention on International Trade comes as Equitrans has evolved into the
passionate about its equine industry and in Endangered Species (CITES) and international markets handling projects
is continuously investing and expanding zoo exchange permits between specific and events, beyond the Middle East.

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