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Applied animal behaviour science2001; 73(4); 281-287; doi: 10.1016/s0168-1591(01)00149-6

A note on the effects of forward and rear-facing orientations on movement of horses during transport.

Abstract: Several studies have attempted to determine the effects of orientation on a horse's ability to maintain balance during transportation. The results have often been contradictory because of differences in trailer design and lack of simultaneous comparisons. In this study, three replications of two forward-facing and two rear-facing horses were transported at the same time over a standardized course to allow for simultaneous comparisons. Each animal's total forward and backward motion during transport was calculated to estimate the effect of orientation on the horses' ability to maintain balance. The course consisted of four laps around a 3.6-km rectangular course, each lap reversing direction, totaling 14.4km. To mimic realistic travel, the course had artificial bumps, three turns (90 degrees, 45 degrees, and 135 degrees ), five straight-aways, and a hard stop at the end of each lap. Four horses were transported over the course in 3.7mx2.4m stalls mounted in-line on a 16-m long commercial straight-deck trailer (16 wheels). At the end of the first run (four laps), the orientation of each horse, two forward and two rear-facing, was reversed for a second run. Twelve horses were transported in each of the two orientations. Movement was recorded using video cameras positioned perpendicular to the horse's side. Movement while forward-facing ranged from 4.75 to 34.48m, averaging 12.95m; when rear-facing, movement ranged from 8.13 to 35.21m, averaging 16.99m, and was not statistically influenced by orientation (P=0.1219) due to high variation. Certain horses did demonstrate a superior ability to maintain balance in a particular orientation. Thus individual characteristics and other factors may play a larger role than orientation alone in the ability of horses to maintain balance during transport.
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Publication Date: 2001-07-04 PubMed ID: 11434962DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1591(01)00149-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the effects of transport orientation (forward or rear facing) on horses’ ability to maintain balance. The study found that while some individual horses appeared to have a preferable orientation, overall, the orientation during transport did not statistically influence horses’ movement or balance maintaining ability.

Research Design

  • The research was conducted using three repeated measures of two forward-facing and two rear-facing horses simultaneously transported over a standard course.
  • The course consisted of four laps around a 3.6-km rectangular path, meaning each transportation covered 14.4km, and reversed direction with every lap.
  • To reflect real-world travel conditions, the course incorporated artificial bumps, turns of varying degrees, straight paths and a hard stop at the end of each lap.
  • The horses were transported in stalls mounted on a commercial trailer.
  • The orientation of horses was switched after the first run for a second run, offering a fair comparison of transport orientations. Twelve horses were included in the study.
  • The horses’ movements were recorded using video cameras focused towards their side, permitting precise tracking and observation.

Key Findings

  • The study did not find any statistically significant influence of transport orientation on horses’ ability to maintain balance.
  • Movements in forward-facing orientation ranged from 4.75 to 34.48m with an average of 12.95m, whereas in rear-facing, movement ranged from 8.13 to 35.21m, averaging 16.99m.
  • Despite the overall result, certain horses demonstrated a superior ability to retain balance in a specific orientation.

Possible Interpretations

  • The study suggests that other factors such as individual characteristics may play a larger role than just orientation in determining a horse’s ability to maintain balance during transport.
  • The high variation in movements might have obscured any potential orientation effects, adding to the complexity of understanding horse transport and balance.

Cite This Article

APA
Toscano MJ, Friend TH. (2001). A note on the effects of forward and rear-facing orientations on movement of horses during transport. Appl Anim Behav Sci, 73(4), 281-287. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0168-1591(01)00149-6

Publication

Applied animal behaviour science
ISSN: 0168-1591
NlmUniqueID: 8504276
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 73
Issue: 4
Pages: 281-287

Researcher Affiliations

Toscano, M J.
  • Department of Animal Science, 2471 TAMUS, Texas A&M University, 77843-2471, College Station, TX, USA
Friend, T H.

    Citations

    This article has been cited 1 times.
    1. Hall C, Kay R, Green J. A Retrospective Survey of Factors Affecting the Risk of Incidents and Equine Injury During Non-Commercial Transportation by Road in the United Kingdom. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 12;10(2).
      doi: 10.3390/ani10020288pubmed: 32059511google scholar: lookup
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