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BMC veterinary research2024; 20(1); 158; doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-03999-9

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

Abstract: Studies on equine air transport practices and consequences are scarce. This prospective study aimed to describe horse and air journey details and practices, document how horse behavior and health changed during the air transport phases, quantify the occurrence of welfare issues, and identify possible associations between horse and journey details, air transport practices, and welfare issues. Results: Data were collected from before departure to five days after arrival on 118/597 horses traveling on 32 commercial air journeys on different routes, varying in duration and conditions. Most horses were middle-aged warmblood females, 26% of which were pregnant, and being moved by air for sales. Before flying, most were quarantined (median: 18; IQR: 9-53 days), and their fitness for travel was certified by veterinarians. At the departure airports, external temperatures varied from - 6 °C to 33 °C, and horses were loaded by experienced flight grooms (median: 35; IQR: 15-40 years) into jet stalls (three-horse: 87%, two-horse: 13%). During the flights, horses were regularly watered (water intake median: 14 L) and fed ad libitum (feed consumption median: 8 kg). At the arrival airport, horses were unloaded from the jet stalls, and external temperatures ranged from - 5 °C to 32 °C. Then, all horses were transported to arrival quarantine by road. Air transport phases affected horses' health status and behavior; increased heart and respiratory rates and behaviors, such as pawing, head tossing, and vocalization, were mainly identified at departure and arrival. Horse interaction, nasal discharge, increased capillary refill time (CRT), and abnormal demeanor were observed more often one hour before landing while resting and normal capillary refill time were more often displayed five days after arrival (all P < 0.01). One hour before landing, horses with bad temperament and horses of unknown temperament were more likely to develop nasal discharge when transported in winter and autumn (P < 0.001). The likelihood of an increased CRT was associated with shorter flights in horses of unknown travel experience (P < 0.001). Ten horses were injured, and 11 developed pleuropneumonias (i.e., shipping fever). Conclusions: Air transport is a complex procedure with several different phases affecting horse health and behavior. Therefore, experienced staff should carefully manage each horse before, during, and after air journeys to minimize welfare hazards.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-04-26 PubMed ID: 38671444PubMed Central: PMC11046973DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03999-9Google 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 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.

Cite This Article

APA
Felici M, Cogger N, Nanni Costa L, Riley CB, Padalino B. (2024). Analysis of current methods and Welfare concerns in the transport of 118 horses by commercial air cargo companies. BMC Vet Res, 20(1), 158. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-03999-9

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Pages: 158

Researcher Affiliations

Felici, Martina
  • Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Cogger, Naomi
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Nanni Costa, Leonardo
  • Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Riley, Christopher Bruce
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
  • Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.
Padalino, Barbara
  • Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. barbara.padalino@unibo.it.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / physiology
  • Animal Welfare
  • Female
  • Transportation
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Aircraft
  • Pregnancy

Grant Funding

  • Grant n. D20EQ-049 / Morris Animal Foundation
  • Grant n. D20EQ-049 / Morris Animal Foundation
  • Grant n. D20EQ-049 / Morris Animal Foundation
  • Grant n. D20EQ-049 / Morris Animal Foundation
  • Grant n. D20EQ-049 / Morris Animal Foundation
  • PadalinoEHS / European Horse Services

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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