A survey of trailering problems in horses

Lee, Joyce; Houpt, Katherine A.; Doherty, Orla

doi:10.1016/s0737-0806(01)70042-1

Cited by 30 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The injury rate among horse breeds did not differ significantly, a finding supported by a study that failed to find breed differences for behavioral problems during trailering [17]. Scrambling and loss of balance were identified by participants as being associated with more than half of the injuries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Scrambling and loss of balance were identified by participants as being associated with more than half of the injuries. Although drivers attributed these to their equine passengers, these responses are usually associated with vehicular turning and braking [17,18,24]. The tendency for participants to attribute transportation-related injury to horse-associated factors (i.e., to an external locus of control) contrasts with event riders that take responsibility for horse injuries or accidents (i.e., an internal locus of control) [43].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Non-commercial horse trailers do not require specific certification of their suitability for use for transporting animals. Whereas there have been many studies of transport-related injuries sustained during the commercial transportation of horses [2,4,12,15,16], there are few peer reviewed publication on the risks of injury during non-commercial transport by owners [12,17]. Equine injuries resulting from commercial transportation have been attributed to horse-associated, vehicle design and driver-associated factors [5,12,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Horse Injury during Non-Commercial Transport: Findings from Researcher-Assisted Intercept Surveys at Southeastern Australian Equestrian Events

Riley

Noble

Bridges

et al. 2016

Animals

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Simple SummaryResearch on the transportation of horses has largely focused on the movement of horses by commercial livestock carriers. Information on factors associated with horse injuries sustained during private (non-commercial) transportation in small horse trucks and trailers is limited. This study surveyed drivers transporting their horses to equestrian events in southeastern Australia. Information on drivers, travel practice, vehicle characteristics and horse injury was collected. A total of 55/223 (24.7%) participants reported transportation related injuries to their horses. Of these 72% were described as horse associated (scrambling, slipping and horse-horse interaction), 11% due to mechanical failure, and 6% due to driver error. The risk of horse injury was not associated with driver age or gender, or experience. Drivers that answer the telephone whilst transporting horses, were more likely to report a previous injury experience. There was a trend for participants with <8 hours sleep prior to the survey to have previously had a horse injured. There was a modest positive association between increasing trailer age and the number of injuries. The range of trailer models prevented identification of the importance of individual design features. The study highlights the potential for horses to sustain transportation injuries in privately owned vehicles and warrants further study to address this risk to their welfare.AbstractEquine transportation research has largely focused on the commercial land movement of horses. Data on the incidence and factors associated with horse injuries during non-commercial transportation (privately owned horse trucks and trailers) is scant. This study surveyed 223 drivers transporting horses to 12 equestrian events in southeastern Australia. Data collected encompassed driver demographics, travel practice, vehicle characteristics, and incidents involving horse injury. Approximately 25% (55/223) of participants reported that their horses were injured during transportation. Of these 72% were owner classified as horse associated (scrambling, slipping and horse-horse interaction), 11% due to mechanical failure, and 6% due to driver error. Horse injury was not significantly associated with driver age, gender, or experience. Participants that answer the telephone whilst driving were more likely to have previously had a horse injured (p = 0.04). There was a trend for participants with <8 hours sleep prior to the survey to have experienced a previous transportation-related injury (p = 0.056). Increased trailer age was associated with a greater number of injury reports (r² = 0.20; p < 0.04). The diversity in trailer models prevented identification of the importance of individual design features. This study highlights the potential for horses to sustain transportation injuries in privately owned vehicles and warrants further study to address this risk to their welfare.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Horse Injury during Non-Commercial Transport: Findings from Researcher-Assisted Intercept Surveys at Southeastern Australian Equestrian Events

Riley

Noble

Bridges

et al. 2016

Animals

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“…As a result, behavioural problems are often associated with this activity. In a survey of trailering problems it was found that 53.4% related to loading and 51.5% to travelling (Lee and Houpt, 2001). While problems associated with loading may be inconvenient and a potential safety hazard, those occurring in transit have long been linked with reductions in performance, health and welfare (Cregier, 1982;Leadon, 1995;Friend, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of a mirror reduces isolation stress in horses being transported by trailer

Kay

Hall

2009

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Horse trailers are a common form of transportation for horses and ponies and often require the animal to travel alone or with a single companion. The current study investigated the effect of transporting horses alone, in company or with an acrylic safety mirror (measuring 81 x 61.5 cm) that provided surrogate companionship. The behavioural and physiological responses of twelve mature horses during a 30-minute journey by trailer under the three treatments were compared.Behaviour (vocalisation, eating, head-tossing, pawing, and head turning) was recorded. In order to assess circulatory changes that occur as part of the response to transport, heart rate (HR), rectal (T r ) and ear-pinna (T p ) temperatures were recorded. When travelling with a live companion significantly less time was spent vocalising (p<0.001), head turning (p<0.001), head-tossing (p<0.01) and pawing (p<0.01); eating behaviour increased (p<0.05). Physiological responses (increases in HR and T r and decreases in T p ) were also significantly reduced when travelling with a live companion (p<0.01). Travelling with the mirror did not significantly affect physiological responses compared with travelling alone, but the rise in T r and fall in T p was reduced (p=0.052 and p=0.051 respectively) and can be considered a trend. When travelling with a mirror significantly less time was spent turning the head (p<0.01), vocalising (p<0.05) and head tossing (p<0.05); eating behaviour increased (p<0.05). The only significant difference between travelling with a live 1 companion and a mirror was that the time spent turning the head round was less with a live companion (p<0.05). The provision of surrogate companionship in the form of a mirror was found to be preferable to travelling alone, but where possible a live companion is recommended. Isolation during transportation was found to suppress feeding behaviour. Although peripheral blood flow (T p ) has been used to assess transport stress in other species it has not previously been used in the horse. Further evaluation of this non-invasive measure is now required.

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“…Increases in heart rate, respiratory rate, sweating and blood concentrations of β‐endorphin, free triiodothyronine, cortisol and adrenaline have been reported as responses induced by transport stress . Anxiety, refusal to load, flight responses, kicking, pawing, scrambling and stereotypic behaviour are the most common transport‐related behavioural problems . Injuries have been reported as the most common health problem related to transportation, but a variety of other disorders may also result from transportation, such as impaction of the large colon, enterocolitis and equine pleuropneumonia .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%