The Olympic Games are underway in Paris and Team Australia has settled into the Athlete’s Village, including those competing in the equestrian events.

But how do their four-legged companions make their way to the French capital?

Chris Burke, the Managing Director of IRT, facilitates the international travel of horses and has transported three horses to the Olympics and one to the Paralympics.

Do horses need passports?

To travel internationally humans must have a passport and horses are no different.

For the horses competing in the Olympics, their passport is issued by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports. 

This document includes what vaccinations the horses have received and their travel history. 

Horses don’t have photos in their passports. Instead, there is a silhouette that has an outline and any unique markings or colours to help identify the horse, says Mr Burke.

“But the main feature that identifies horses these days, like most animals is microchips,” he says.

“That is definitely in the passport.”

What are the facilities on the plane?

The horses travel in an air stable. They board using a high loader, which is similar to a scissor lift used to load passenger luggage. 

The air stable is fully enclosed, with partitions separating the horses and a breast bar across the front to restrict the animals from moving forward. 

ABC Sport is live blogging every day of the Paris Olympics

Unfortunately, there are no in-flight movies for these passengers, but they do get a tasty barrel of hay.

“They actually travel quite comfortably,” Mr Burke said.

Do the horses get swollen legs?

The horses stand up for the entire flight on their journey, which can sometimes lead to swelling.

Compression socks can be useful for humans who experience swelling during air travel, but it is not the same for horses.

It is not recommended to wrap the horse’s legs as this can damage the tendons, Mr Burke said.