Effects of density on displacement, falls, injuries, and orientation during horse transportation(1).

This research was conducted to study the effects of loading density during transport on horses’ movement, falls, and injuries, and their orientation in a commercial trailer. The findings of the study indicated that high-density transport led to a substantial increase in falls and injuries among horses.

Study Design and Methodology

• The experiment involved three groups of horses that were a total of 30 mares and 29 geldings. The horses were packed in a single-deck, open-topped commercial semi-trailer under two conditions: high density (1.28 m²/horse with 14 horses) and low density (2.23 m²/horse with eight horses).
• The same set of horses was used for both treatments with a gap between the two to allow for recovery. The sequence of treatment was alternated in each trial.
• The transport route consisted of a variety of turns, brakes, and rapid accelerations, designed to simulate real-life conditions. However, these were reportedly more severe than the typically experienced conditions in commercial transport.
• Overhead video cameras were used to record the horses’ displacement, falls, orientation, and any other abnormalities during each lap of the circuit.

Key Findings

• The average displacement – the distance moved during a stop – of horses between the high-density and low-density treatments was not significantly different.
• Horses in the high-density transport setting were more likely to fall, with 40% falling compared to 17% in the low-density treatment.
• High-density transport also led to a greater proportion of horses sustaining injuries, 64% compared to 29% in the low-density treatment.
• The study also showed that the severity of injuries sustained was not significantly different between the high-density and low-density treatments.
• The researchers found that the horses didn’t show a specific preference for the direction they faced during transportation under either the high-density or low-density treatments.

Significance

• This study provides an important insight into the welfare issues related to horse transportation, specifically highlighting the importance of loading density.
• Based on the findings, high-density transport presents greater risks of falls and injuries to horses. This information is useful for transport companies and policy-makers to improve the health and welfare standards of equine transport.