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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(1); doi: 10.3390/ani10010160

Effects of Transport Conditions on Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Horses.

Abstract: The regulations for minimal space and direction of travel for land transport in horses vary worldwide and there is currently no definitive guidance to promote equine health and welfare. This study evaluated the effects of bay size and direction of travel (forwards/backwards) in horses by comparing the behavioural, physiological, laboratory and gastroscopy parameters between transported and confined horses. A total of twenty-six mares took part in the study; 12 horses were confined for 12 h, and all mares underwent 12 hours' transportation, travelling in single (n = 18) or wide bays (n = 8), and forward (n = 10) or rear (n = 16) facing. Behaviour was recorded during confinement/transportation and analysed using a behaviour sampling ethogram. Clinical examination, blood samples and gastroscopy were conducted before and after confinement/transportation. The frequency of behaviours relating to stress and balance increased during transport, and horses transported in a rear-facing position and in a wider bay size showed fewer balance-related behaviours. Balance behaviours, particularly loss of balance, were positively associated with the severity of gastric ulceration after transportation and elevated muscle enzymes, while increased stress behaviours correlated with decreased gastrointestinal sounds. Heart rate and rectal temperature after transportation were positively associated with balance and stress behaviours, and with squamous gastric ulcer scores. Transportation was associated with expected increases in cortisol and muscle enzymes, but positioning and space allowance had minimal effects on these analytes. Findings suggest that transportation in a rear-facing position and in wider bays might reduce the impact of transport on horse health and welfare, and monitoring behaviour in transit and physiological measurements after transportation should be recommended. Behavioural and physiological parameters were more sensitive than haematological, biochemical or endocrine analytes to identify horses suffering from transport stress.
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Publication Date: 2020-01-17 PubMed ID: 31963529PubMed Central: PMC7022509DOI: 10.3390/ani10010160Google 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 study examined the effects of land transport conditions on horses’ behavior and physical responses, and found that horses transported in a rear-facing position and larger enclosures display fewer signs of transport stress. This information could be valuable in improving horses’ welfare during transport.

Study Methodology

  • The research involved a total of 26 female horses. They were either confined for 12 hours or transported for the same duration.
  • The transported horses were placed in single (n = 18) or wide (n = 8) stalls, and traveled either facing forward (n = 10) or backward (n = 16).
  • The horse behavior was recorded and analyzed during confinement or transportation, using a predefined ethogram – a catalogue of all possible behaviors exhibited by an animal.
  • The researchers performed clinical examinations, took blood samples and conducted gastroscopies before and after the confinement/transportation. The purpose of these procedures was to determine any physiological alterations in response to the transportation.

Key Findings

  • The stress- and balance-related behaviors increased during transport.
  • Horses traveling in a rear-facing position and larger stalls showed less balance-related behavior.
  • Loss of balance during transport was associated with severity of gastric ulceration and elevated muscle enzymes afterward.
  • Increased stress behavior during transport was associated with decreased gastrointestinal sounds afterward.
  • The post-transport heart rate and rectal temperature correlated positively with balance and stress behaviors during transport, and with gastric ulcer scores.
  • As expected, the transportation led to increased cortisol levels and muscle enzymes. However, the direction the horses were facing and the space allowance during transport had minimal effect on these parameters.
  • In identifying horses suffering from transport stress, behavioral and physiological parameters were more sensitive than haematological, biochemical or endocrine analytes.

Implications of the Study

  • The findings suggest that transporting horses in a rear-facing position and larger stalls could reduce the impact of travel on their health and welfare. This insight could be applied to develop more animal-friendly transport guidelines.
  • The researchers also recommended monitoring behavior during transit and taking physiological measurements after transportation to more accurately assess the impact of travel conditions on horses.
  • The observation that behavioral and physiological parameters were stronger indicators of transport stress than analytical parameters could lead to more effective protocols for identifying transport stress in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Padalino B, Raidal SL. (2020). Effects of Transport Conditions on Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Horses. Animals (Basel), 10(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010160

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 1

Researcher Affiliations

Padalino, Barbara
  • Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Raidal, Sharanne L
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Stuart University, Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.

Grant Funding

  • na / Virbac Pty Ltd, World Horse Welfare, Goldners Horse Transport

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 18 times.
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