Effects of orientation, intermittent rest and vehicle cleaning during transport on development of transport-related respiratory disease in horses.

This research investigates the impacts of several factors like animal orientation during transit, resting periods, and the cleanliness of the vehicle on stress and inflammatory responses in horses, which can lead to respiratory diseases.

Methodology and Groups

• In two experiments, a set of various factors affecting the stress and inflammatory response in horses during transport was scrutinised. The first and second experiments were conducted in April and August, respectively.
• In the first experiment, three groups of Thoroughbreds took part (G1-G3), and in the second experiment, two groups (G4, G5) were involved.
• The horses in G1 were loaded into trucks oriented with their heads facing forward (FF) and were given short periods of rest (SR) every 4 hours of driving. This rest period was 30 minutes.
• In contrast, the horses in G2 were loaded to face the rear (FR) and were also given SR.
• G3 horses were oriented FF but given longer rest periods (LR), specifically 2 hours of rest for every 4 hours driven.
• G4 horses were transported with their heads at the front alongside hay placed in front of them without any cleaning of faeces or urine during stops.
• The horses in G5 were loaded forward-facing, given pellets instead of hay, and the transport vehicle was cleaned at each rest stop.
• All horse groups covered a distance of 1500 km with varying total journey times; 37 hours for G1 and G2, 49 hours for G3, and 40 hours for G4 and G5.

Research Findings

• The results from the first experiment showed that observable signs of inflammatory and stress responses were highest in G1, intermediate in G2, and lowest in G3. This hints that a longer rest period could reduce stress and inflammatory reactions in horses during transport.
• In the second experiment, these indicators were observed to be higher in G4 than in G5. This suggests that the cleanliness of the transport vehicle and the replacement of hay with pellets could further mitigate transportation stress and respiratory harm in horses.
• The findings overall imply that increasing the rest duration and ensuring the cleanliness of the transport vehicle during rest stops can reduce transportation-induced stress and the risk of respiratory ailments in horses.