§ 359-a. Transportation of horses. 1. Every vehicle utilized for the
transportation of more than six horses shall meet the following
requirements:

a. The interiors of compartments containing horses shall be
constructed of smooth materials, containing no sharp objects or
protrusions which are hazardous;

b. The floors shall be of such construction or covered with abrasive
material so as to prevent horses from skidding or sliding;

c. There shall be sufficient apertures to insure adequate ventilation;

d. There shall be sufficient insulation or coverings to maintain an
adequate temperature in the compartment containing horses;

e. Partitions of sturdy construction shall be placed a maximum of ten
feet apart in vehicles which do not have stalls;

f. Doorways shall be of sufficient height to allow safe ingress and
egress of each horse contained in the compartment;

g. Each compartment containing horses shall be of such height so as to
allow sufficient clearance above the poll and withers of each horse in
the compartment;

h. Ramps sufficient for loading and unloading horses shall be provided
if the vertical distance from the floor of the compartment containing
horses to the ground is greater than fifteen inches; and

i. There shall be at least two doorways for ingress and egress, which
shall not be on the same side.

2. Every vehicle utilized for the transportation of more than six
horses over a highway shall have no more than one tier.

3. a. Transporting a horse in violation of this section shall be a
violation punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty
dollars.

b. Any subsequent violation of this section on a date following a
conviction under the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or
imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

4. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations, including
size specifications, and establish guidelines in order to facilitate
compliance with the provisions of this section.

5. a. The term "horse" as used throughout this section shall apply to
the entire family of equidae.

b. The term "vehicle" as used throughout this section shall apply to
every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be
transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices moved by human power
or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

6. The court in which a conviction under the provisions of this
section is obtained, shall, within thirty days of such conviction,
transmit a copy of the record of conviction to the department which
shall maintain a record of such conviction for the purpose of
identifying subsequent violations of this section.