Analysis of current methods and Welfare concerns in the transport of 118 horses by commercial air cargo companies.

The research article analyses the current methods of transporting horses by air cargo and their impact on equine welfare. A comprehensive study was conducted on 118 horses to determine how their health and behavior were affected by the different stages of air transport.

Research Methodology

• The team conducted a prospective study to investigate the details of the horses and their air journey, how the horses’ health and behavior changed during transportation, and the level of welfare issues encountered during the process.
• The research focused on horses involved in 32 commercial air journeys, examining factors such as the journey’s duration and conditions.
• Most of the horses involved in the study were middle-aged warmblood females, and around a quarter were pregnant. Most of the time, these animals were being relocated for sales purposes.

Data Collection

• Data were harvested from various phases of the transportation process, starting from pre-departure and concluding five days post-arrival.
• Key data points included the length and conditions of quarantine pre-travel, physical fitness as certified by vets, handling of the horses at departure and arrival airports, the boarding process into jet stalls, feeding and watering during transport, and finally, the delivery to arrival quarantine by road.

Findings of the Study

• The air transport phases significantly impacted the horses’ health and behavior. Increased heart and respiratory rates, and behaviors such as pawing, head-tossing, and vocalization were primarily observed at departure and arrival.
• Nasal discharge, abnormal demeanor, and increased capillary refill time (CRT)—a measure of blood circulation—were often noted one hour before landing, whereas normal behavior and CRT were more frequently seen five days after arrival.
• Undesirable behaviours like nasal discharge were more likely to be exhibited by horses with bad or unknown temperament during transport in the colder seasons of winter and autumn. Similarly, horses with no known prior travel experience were more prone to showing increased CRT on shorter flights.
• It was also discovered that ten horses sustained injuries, and 11 developed pleuropneumonias, a condition known colloquially as shipping fever.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• In conclusion, the process of air transport can significantly impact a horse’s health and behavior. Therefore, it’s crucial that experienced staff carefully manage each horse before, during, and after air journeys to minimize potential welfare hazards.
• The study affirms the importance of understanding and analyzing the existing methods and practices in horse transportation to ensure equine welfare. Precise attention and care must be catered towards horses with bad or unknown temperament as they seem to be more prone to health issues during transport.
• The information provided in the study could help enhance the welfare protocols that are applicable to air transport and could potentially lead to improvements for the horses involved.