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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / A Survey-Based Analysis of Injuries to Horses Associated wit...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(3); 259; doi: 10.3390/ani12030259

A Survey-Based Analysis of Injuries to Horses Associated with Transport by Road in New Zealand.

Abstract: Negative outcomes associated with the road transport of horses are a significant welfare issue. This study aimed to describe the injuries sustained by horses during road transport in New Zealand and factors associated with trauma while in transit. New Zealand horse industry participants were surveyed on their horse transport experiences and equine industry involvement. Participants were solicited through horse organisations. The data were tabulated, and a logistic regression was performed to identify significant ( < 0.05) factors associated with transport-related injury. In total, 201/1133 (17.7%/2 years) eligible surveys reported at least one horse injured during road transport. Most incidents occurred in transit (137/169; 81%), or when transported with one (76/193; 39.4%) or more (41/193; 21.2%) other horses. Most commonly, the hindlimbs, the head, or the forelimbs were injured (59.1%; 110/186 horses), ranging in severity from bruises to catastrophic orthopaedic trauma necessitating euthanasia. Eventing, not always checking horses' fitness for transport, using a tail guard or bandage, a stallion guard in the vehicle, bedding type on the floor, and behavioural problems were associated with injuries. This survey identified a significant incidence of injury and related death when horses are transported by road in New Zealand, and the key risk factors associated with the odds of injury.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-21 PubMed ID: 35158585PubMed Central: PMC8833432DOI: 10.3390/ani12030259Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research article focuses on an analysis of injuries to horses that occur during road transport in New Zealand. This study uncovers a significant incidence of transport-related injuries, including behavioral problems and poor pre-transport fitness checks, as risk factors associated with the odds of injuries.

Survey Methodology

  • This study was conducted by surveying participants involved in the New Zealand horse industry. These individuals were asked about their experiences with transporting horses.
  • The participants were recruited through various horse organizations within the country.
  • The gathered data was then organized and tabulated for further analysis.
  • A logistic regression was performed on the data to identify significant factors that are associated with the transport-related injuries of horses.

Study Findings

  • Out of 1133 eligible surveys, 201 reports (17.7% over 2 years) showed at least one instance of a horse being injured during road transportation.
  • Most of these incidents occurred during transit, with 81% of incidents happening while the horses were being transported.
  • Instances of injury were most common when a horse was transported with either one other horse (39.4%) or multiple other horses (21.2%).
  • The injuries most commonly affected the horse’s hindlimbs, head, or forelimbs, and ranged in severity from minor bruises to severe orthopedic traumas requiring euthanasia. These areas were affected in 59.1% (110 out of 186) of injured horses.

Significant Factors

  • The study highlighted certain factors that were associated with the risk and occurrence of transport-related injuries to horses. These include eventing, not regularly checking a horse’s fitness prior to transport, usage of a tail guard or bandage, incorporation of a stallion guard within the vehicle, a certain type of bedding used on the floor of the vehicle, and behavioral issues.
  • The high incidence rate of injury and subsequent fatalities of horses during road transport in New Zealand was brought to light. Identifying key risk factors concerning the odds injury gives better insights into improving safety regulations in the horse-transport industry.

Cite This Article

APA
Riley CB, Rogers CW, Thompson KR, Guiver D, Padalino B. (2022). A Survey-Based Analysis of Injuries to Horses Associated with Transport by Road in New Zealand. Animals (Basel), 12(3), 259. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030259

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 3
PII: 259

Researcher Affiliations

Riley, Christopher B
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4470, New Zealand.
Rogers, Chris W
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4470, New Zealand.
  • School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4470, New Zealand.
Thompson, Kirrilly R
  • School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia.
Guiver, Danielle
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4470, New Zealand.
Padalino, Barbara
  • Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale Fanin 50, 40126 Bologna, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Riley CB, Padalino B, Rogers CW, Thompson KR. Human Injuries Associated with the Transport of Horses by Road.. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
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  2. Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Earley B, Edwards S, Faucitano L, Marti S, Miranda de La Lama GC, Costa LN, Thomsen PT, Ashe S, Mur L, Van der Stede Y, Herskin M. Welfare of equidae during transport.. EFSA J 2022 Sep;20(9):e07444.
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