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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(21); 3069; doi: 10.3390/ani14213069

Influence of Loading Density and Gender on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Horses During Transport for Slaughter.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of loading density and gender on blood welfare indicators, carcass bruises and horsemeat quality. Data were collected from twelve transports of 89 slaughter horses originating from the same collection centre. The transportation of slaughter horses at high loading densities (>200 kg/m), especially stallions, resulted in increased levels of lactate ( = 0.021), glucose ( < 0.0001), ceruloplasmin ( < 0.0001) and AOPP ( < 0.0001), but lower GSH levels ( 200 kg/m) during transport had lower levels of the aforementioned blood metabolites. In addition, stallions exposed to a high load density (>200 kg/m) had the highest frequency of severe ( = 0.0002), large ( < 0.0001) and circular ( = 0.0001) carcass bruises, which were predominantly located on the abdominal ( = 0.0056) and thoracic ( = 0.0004) wall. In contrast, a higher percentage ( 200 kg/m) during transport had the highest initial pH ( < 0.0001) and ultimate pH ( = 0.005) in terms of and redness ( = 0.017), but the lowest drip loss ( = 0.050) and lightness ( 200 kg/m), regardless of gender, negatively affect horse welfare during transport. In addition, stallions were more sensitive to poor pre-slaughter conditions and produced the lowest meat quality, while geldings were the most resistant. To determine the optimal transport density, further research is needed to determine the effects of different loading densities on the behaviour, physiology, carcass and meat quality of slaughter horses.
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Publication Date: 2024-10-24 PubMed ID: 39518792PubMed Central: PMC11545268DOI: 10.3390/ani14213069Google 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 examined the impact of loading density and gender on the welfare of horses being transported to slaughter and the quality of horsemeat. The study found high loading densities adversely affected horse welfare and meat quality, particularly for stallions.

Research Objectives

  • The primary aim of the study was to investigate the influence of loading density and the gender of horses on blood welfare indicators, the prevalence of carcass bruising, and the quality of horsemeat.
  • The researchers also aimed to determine the optimal transport density to maintain both horse welfare and meat quality during transportation to slaughter houses.

Methodology

  • The data were collected from twelve transports of 89 slaughter horses originating from the same collection centre, to ensure a level of uniformity in the sample.
  • The researchers compared transport at high loading densities (greater than 200 kg/m) with low loading densities (200kg/m or less).
  • They also compared the three main gender classifications of horses: stallions, mares, and geldings.

Key Findings

  • The research identified that high loading densities resulted in higher levels of lactate, glucose, ceruloplasmin, and AOPP in the blood samples, all signs of stress or poor welfare, but lower glutathione (GSH) levels. Observations were particularly noticeable for stallions.
  • Geldings subjected to high loading density had lower levels of these blood metabolites, suggesting they were less affected by the stress of transportation.
  • Stallions exposed to high loading densities had higher instances and severity of bruising on carcasses, predominantly located on the abdominal and thoracic walls.
  • There was a higher percentage of undamaged carcasses in horses exposed to lower loading densities.
  • The meat from stallions transported at high loading densities was observed to have higher pH levels and redness, but lower drip loss and lightness. This led to a higher proportion of DFD (Dark, Firm, and Dry) defects, indicating poor meat quality.

Conclusions

  • High loading densities were found to negatively impact horse welfare during transportation, regardless of the gender of the horses.
  • Stallions produced the lowest quality meat under these poor pre-slaughter conditions, implying they are more sensitive to these conditions, while geldings were more resistant.
  • Further research is required to establish optimal loading densities for the transport of slaughter horses, to ensure both animal welfare and meat quality.

Cite This Article

APA
Božić Jovanović V, Trailović R, Vićić I, Grković N, Radaković M, Karabasil N, Kaić A, Čobanović N. (2024). Influence of Loading Density and Gender on the Welfare and Meat Quality of Horses During Transport for Slaughter. Animals (Basel), 14(21), 3069. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213069

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 21
PII: 3069

Researcher Affiliations

Božić Jovanović, Vesna
  • Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Trailović, Ružica
  • Department of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Vićić, Ivan
  • Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Grković, Nevena
  • Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Radaković, Milena
  • Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobođenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Karabasil, Nedjeljko
  • Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Kaić, Ana
  • Department of Animal Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Čobanović, Nikola
  • Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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