Speaking at the World Horse Welfare Conference, Zara Tindall warns that Brexit has made horse transport longer, more stressful, and damaging to equine well‑being.
Zara Tindall, speaking at the World Horse Welfare annual conference in London, delivered a frank assessment of the equestrian impact of Brexit. She highlighted how stricter regulations and longer travel times have negatively affected horse welfare, saying the process has “in many ways gone backwards.” Her remarks underscore rising concerns among equine advocates.
London, UK (Star Struck Times) — At Friday’s World Horse Welfare Conference, held at the prestigious Royal Geographical Society in London, Zara Tindall delivered a candid and powerful message: Brexit has taken a toll on horse welfare. As a patron of the charity and a lifelong equestrian, she didn’t shy away from calling out the serious challenges now facing the sport.
Joined on stage by her mother, Princess Anne, who has long championed equine causes, Tindall warned that transporting horses post‑Brexit has become significantly more complex and stressful. “Journey times have increased, and it’s much more demanding on the horses,” she said, noting that travel is simply not what it used to be—even with modern technology.
Tindall went on to explain how regulatory changes have made international travel “incredibly demanding,” involving a raft of paperwork, veterinary checks, and logistical hurdles. These obstacles, she observed, discourage many from travelling altogether. “People are travelling less simply because it has become so difficult,” she added. The result, she argues, is a real and harmful impact on animal welfare.
Drawing on her own experience, she revealed that she transported a horse abroad recently and saw first-hand how stressful it was. “It’s more stressful on the horses than it used to be,” she said. “It’s got worse.”
Her tone was urgent but constructive: this isn’t simply a complaint, but a call for renewed attention to how the equine world adapts to new realities. Tindall’s presence and passion underline how seriously she takes her role, not just as a royal, but as a committed advocate for horse welfare.
FAQs
Q: Why is Zara Tindall speaking out now?
A: As a patron of World Horse Welfare and a prominent equestrian, Zara Tindall believes the post-Brexit regulatory landscape has significantly harmed horse wellbeing, and she’s using her platform to raise awareness.
Q: What specific problems did she mention?
A: Tindall highlighted increased journey times, more complex paperwork, stricter veterinary checks, and a general rise in stress for horses traveling across borders since Brexit.
Q: How has Brexit increased stress for horses during transport?
A: According to Tindall, it’s not just the longer travel times; the bureaucratic burden (like additional checks and logistics) means horses spend more time in transit and face a more demanding journey.
Q: Has Princess Anne responded?
A: While Princess Anne joined her daughter at the conference, the reports focus on Zara’s remarks. Anne’s presence reinforces the royal family’s ongoing commitment to equine welfare.
Q: What is World Horse Welfare doing in response?
A: The charity is convening experts, equestrians, and policy-makers to examine new challenges facing horse transport, behavior, and wellbeing—especially in the changing post-Brexit regulatory context.
What do you think should be done to improve the welfare of horses during transport? Share your thoughts below — how can policy change to better support equine welfare in a post‑Brexit world?