Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviors and Injuries: A Survey of Italian Horse Industry Members

Abstract

An online survey was conducted to determine associations between equine transport management and transport-related injuries and problem behaviors in Italy. The survey was composed of four sections: respondents’ demographic information and background, transport management practices, journey details and vehicle design, and transport injuries experienced by the horse in the previous two-year period. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression with a binary outcome variable was performed to explore associations between variables (respondents’ and journeys’ details and transport practices) and equine transport-related problem behaviors (TRPBs) and injuries. TRPBs were also considered an explanatory variable for injuries. The survey generated 201 responses; only 148 were complete and analyzed. TRPBs were reported by 14.45% of the respondents and the odds of TRPBs was linked to the respondent gender (p = 0.034), the use of tranquilizers prior to transport (p = 0.002), the use of a whip for loading (p = 0.049), the lack of protection equipment (p = 0.050), and shavings (p = 0.025) on the vehicle floor. Horse injuries (11.49%) were reported by more respondents who did not check the brakes of their transport vehicle before traveling (p = 0.043), had vehicles with padding on the chest bar (p = 0.038), and for horses reported to display TRPBs (p = 0.001). Finally, 10 respondents reported they were injured during horse transport (10/140; 7.14%), 50% simultaneously with their horses. The study findings should be interpreted with caution due to small sample size bias and participants’ recall bias. Nevertheless, the results are in concordance with the literature, confirming that horse transport is a risk for the horse’s and handler’s health and well-being. Further studies are needed to identify best management practices to educate equine industry members on how to minimize transport-related problems.

Journeys, Journey Conditions, and Welfare Assessment of Unbroken (Unhandled) Horses on Arrival at a Slaughterhouse in Italy

“…They showed minimal behavioral problems, e.g., refusing to unload and rushing off [ 27 ], and balance-related issues, e.g., slipping and falling. Self-loading and self-unloading training is highly beneficial for meat horses since it reduces the fear and the stress associated with these procedures and it also reduces the duration of those procedures, the occurrence of human–horse interactions [ 28 ], and the consequent risk of horse-related human injuries [ 29 ]. This practice should be strongly recommended considering that poor handling is listed among the most important hazards of the highly relevant welfare consequences caused by horse transportation [ 8 ], and self-unloading completely prevents any handling.…”

Journeys, Journey Conditions, and Welfare Assessment of Broken (Handled) Horses on Arrival at Italian Slaughterhouses

“…However, it is important to highlight that stopping at CPs and changes of vehicles are not only dangerous for the horses but also for the horse handlers. Handling at loading/unloading represents a human-horse interaction that may pose potential risks for horse-related injuries to humans [ 29 , 30 ]. Overall, although the duration of the examined journeys complied with the EC 1/2005 [ 16 ], the journey planning is questionable and possibly exposed the horses to additional risks for their welfare.…”

“…Showing a stick or a rubber tube while unloading the horses has been proven to cause fear and therefore animals tend to stop and refuse to unload. Beating the animals with various aids is considered encouragement to get them moving, but was counterproductive [ 11 , 30 ]. Whipping or beating the horses increases stress levels, decreases their attention to the surrounding space and leads them to injure themselves more easily [ 11 , 30 , 36 ].…”

Moving toward Fear-Free Husbandry and Veterinary Care for Horses

“…Potentially dangerous behavioural responses may be initiated by the approach from an unfamiliar person, human contact, the presence of unfamiliar equipment/objects, loud or unfamiliar sounds, intense or unfamiliar odours, unfamiliar tactile sensations, confinement/restraint, a reduction in perceived options for escape, lack of the presence of familiar conspecifics, unpleasant or painful sensations, or any stimulus for which a negative CER has previously been linked [ 20 , 50 , 52 , 54 , 59 , 60 , 61 ]. If the procedure is being undertaken at a clinic or at a location remote from the horse’s usual environment, then there are additional aspects that may increase fear or stress, including the need to travel, being in an unfamiliar space, the presence of unfamiliar terrain/surfaces/structures, and a potentially busy environment in terms of human and animal traffic, vehicular movements, and noise.…”