I'm writing to thank you for supporting the bipartisan Horse Transportation Safety Act (HR 1400), which would prohibit interstate transportation of horses in a motor vehicle containing two or more levels stacked on top of one another. Previous legislation banned the use of double-deck trailers to transport horses to slaughter; HR 4040 would ban their use for horses under any circumstances. Double-deck livestock trailers on the road today were built to meet the specific design and engineering requirements of short-necked livestock species, like cattle, sheep, and swine. Unfortunately, a few irresponsible haulers continue to use these trailers against manufacturer intent to transport horses, leading to inhumane travel conditions for equines and unsafe roadways for drivers.

The American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Agriculture Safety Database have recommended ceiling heights of no lower than 7'-8' to transport horses safely, while average double-deck trailer ceiling heights range from 4'7"-5'11". It is also important to note, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires a 14' minimum vertical clearance in both rural and urban areas, making it impractical and inhumane to build or modify a trailer large enough to transport equines on two levels. On Nov. 7, 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a statement recognizing the inhumane practice of transporting horses in such trailers, stating that, "double-deck trailers do not provide adequate headroom for equines, with the possible exception of foals and yearlings. We do not believe that trailers that have two or more permanent levels that are no collapsible can be adequately altered to accommodate adult equines, especially tall equines." Among the organizations expressing support for this bill are Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation, Animal Welfare Institute, the Humane Society of the United States, and the National Black Farmers Association.

I'm writing to urge you to support the bipartisan Horse Transportation Safety Act (HR 1400), which would prohibit interstate transportation of horses in a motor vehicle containing two or more levels stacked on top of one another. Previous legislation banned the use of double-deck trailers to transport horses to slaughter; HR 4040 would ban their use for horses under any circumstances. Double-deck livestock trailers on the road today were built to meet the specific design and engineering requirements of short-necked livestock species, like cattle, sheep, and swine. Unfortunately, a few irresponsible haulers continue to use these trailers against manufacturer intent to transport horses, leading to inhumane travel conditions for equines and unsafe roadways for drivers.

The American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Agriculture Safety Database have recommended ceiling heights of no lower than 7'-8' to transport horses safely, while average double-deck trailer ceiling heights range from 4'7"-5'11". It is also important to note, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires a 14' minimum vertical clearance in both rural and urban areas, making it impractical and inhumane to build or modify a trailer large enough to transport equines on two levels. On Nov. 7, 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a statement recognizing the inhumane practice of transporting horses in such trailers, stating that, "double-deck trailers do not provide adequate headroom for equines, with the possible exception of foals and yearlings. We do not believe that trailers that have two or more permanent levels that are no collapsible can be adequately altered to accommodate adult equines, especially tall equines." Among the organizations expressing support for this bill are Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation, Animal Welfare Institute, the Humane Society of the United States, and the National Black Farmers Association.