Effects of Transport Conditions on Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Horses

Abstract

The regulations for minimal space and direction of travel for land transport in horses vary worldwide and there is currently no definitive guidance to promote equine health and welfare. This study evaluated the effects of bay size and direction of travel (forwards/backwards) in horses by comparing the behavioural, physiological, laboratory and gastroscopy parameters between transported and confined horses. A total of twenty-six mares took part in the study; 12 horses were confined for 12 h, and all mares underwent 12 hours’ transportation, travelling in single (n = 18) or wide bays (n = 8), and forward (n = 10) or rear (n = 16) facing. Behaviour was recorded during confinement/transportation and analysed using a behaviour sampling ethogram. Clinical examination, blood samples and gastroscopy were conducted before and after confinement/transportation. The frequency of behaviours relating to stress and balance increased during transport, and horses transported in a rear-facing position and in a wider bay size showed fewer balance-related behaviours. Balance behaviours, particularly loss of balance, were positively associated with the severity of gastric ulceration after transportation and elevated muscle enzymes, while increased stress behaviours correlated with decreased gastrointestinal sounds. Heart rate and rectal temperature after transportation were positively associated with balance and stress behaviours, and with squamous gastric ulcer scores. Transportation was associated with expected increases in cortisol and muscle enzymes, but positioning and space allowance had minimal effects on these analytes. Findings suggest that transportation in a rear-facing position and in wider bays might reduce the impact of transport on horse health and welfare, and monitoring behaviour in transit and physiological measurements after transportation should be recommended. Behavioural and physiological parameters were more sensitive than haematological, biochemical or endocrine analytes to identify horses suffering from transport stress.

Development and Validation of a Test for the Classification of Horses as Broken or Unbroken

“…The effects of transportation on the welfare of horses include anxiety-related behaviours, aggression, exhaustion, injury, respiratory and gastrointestinal disease, dehydration, pyrexia, and immunosuppression [ 3 , 9 , 10 ]. About 1% of horses die en route [ 4 ] but a greater percentage of animals are euthanised later due to severe injuries sustained during the journey or have non-visible injuries such as bruising, which is only recognisable post-mortem [ 11 ].…”

Horse Preferences for Insolation, Shade or Mist Curtain in the Paddock under Heat Conditions: Cardiac and Behavioural Response Analysis

“…Takahashi et al [ 9 ] found that showering with tap water was the most effective method to decrease the temperature in horses. The horse body temperature is also considered in the context of assuring good welfare conditions affecting the performance in different horses at rest, during effort, and in transport [ 10 , 11 ]. Horses released freely into a paddock have mainly been studied with regard to their relaxation [ 12 ], behaviour [ 13 , 14 ], and preferences for the time spent out of the stable [ 15 ].…”

Pilot Study of the Relationship between Deck Level and Journey Duration on Plasma Cortisol, Epinephrine and Norepinephrine Levels in Italian Heavy Pigs

“…During transport, pigs are subjected to many adverse situations including weather conditions [ 1 ]. Several studies focused on the influence of factors related to transport including loading density, handling treatment, trailer design, loading method, environmental and internal climate conditions, duration of the journey [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Regarding duration, journeys are divided into short (<8 h) and long journeys (>8 h) although the Member States may grant derogations for journeys not exceeding 12 h to reach the final place of destination [ 7 ].…”