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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2018; 8(8); 134; doi: 10.3390/ani8080134

Risk Factors for Transport-Related Problem Behaviors in Horses: A New Zealand Survey.

Abstract: Transport-related problem behaviors (TRPBs) are common in horses and can cause injury to both the horses and their handlers. This study aimed to identify possible risk factors for TRPBs to inform approaches to mitigate TRPBs incidence and enhance horse welfare. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted to explore the prevalence of TRPBs and their association with human-, training- and transport management-related factors in New Zealand. The survey generated 1124 valid responses that were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and logistic regression analyses. Having at least one horse with TRPB was reported by 249/1124 (22.2%) respondents during the two previous years. Of these, 21/249 (8.4%) occurred during pre-loading, 78/249 (31.3%) during loading, 132/249 (53.0%) while travelling, and 18/249 (7.3%) during unloading. Our findings indicate that the use of negative reinforcement and positive punishment as training methods, using a whip or food for loading, and travelling in a straight load trailer/float while offering food were associated with a higher likelihood of TRPBs. Cross-sectional studies cannot determine causality and findings should be interpreted with caution, and evaluated in further experimental studies. The authors suggest that education on appropriate training methods for transport, and vehicle selection may mitigate the risk for TRPBs in horses.
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Publication Date: 2018-08-02 PubMed ID: 30072591PubMed Central: PMC6115720DOI: 10.3390/ani8080134Google 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.

This research article investigates the risk factors associated with transport-related problem behaviors (TRPBs) in horses in New Zealand, understanding these factors could contribute to improving horse welfare and reducing injuries during transport.

Study Objectives

Based on understanding that transport-related problem behaviors (TRPBs) in horses are prevalent and can cause injuries to both horses and handlers, the objective of the study was to identify potential risk factors for TRPBs. This understanding would help in devising strategies that can reduce the incidence of TRPBs, thus improving horse welfare.

Methods

  • An online cross-sectional survey was used to collect data relevant to the study’s investigation on the prevalence of TRPBs.
  • The survey also analyzed associations of TRPBs with various factors such as human behavior, training methods, and transport management practices. These factors were all rooted in practices found in New Zealand.
  • The survey responses were statistically analyzed for descriptive statistics, logistic regression analyses and valid responses were considered for final results.

Findings

  • Of the total 1124 valid responses, 22.2% of the respondents reported having at least one horse with TRPBs in the two years prior to the survey.
  • Analysis of these TRPBs showed that 8.4% occurred during pre-loading, 31.3% during loading, 53.0% while travelling, and 7.3% unloading.
  • The study identified that the use of negative reinforcement and positive punishment as training methods, using punitive methods like the use of a whip, or food for loading, and traveling in a straight load trailer or float while offering food were all associated with increased instances of TRPBs.

Limitations and Recommendations

  • The study notes that cross-sectional studies, like the present one, are unable to determine causality, so its findings should be interpreted with caution.
  • More experimental studies are needed for in-depth evaluation of these risk factors.
  • The authors recommend implementing education on appropriate training methods for transport and better vehicle selection could help mitigate the risk of TRPBs occurring in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Padalino B, Rogers CW, Guiver D, Bridges JP, Riley CB. (2018). Risk Factors for Transport-Related Problem Behaviors in Horses: A New Zealand Survey. Animals (Basel), 8(8), 134. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8080134

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 8
PII: 134

Researcher Affiliations

Padalino, Barbara
  • College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, HKSAR, Hong Kong, China. barbara.padalino@cityu.edu.hk.
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Bari, Italy. barbara.padalino@cityu.edu.hk.
Rogers, Chris W
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4470, New Zealand. C.W.Rogers@massey.ac.nz.
Guiver, Danielle
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4470, New Zealand. Danielle.guiver@gmail.com.
Bridges, Janis P
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4470, New Zealand. J.P.Bridges@massey.ac.nz.
Riley, Christopher B
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4470, New Zealand. C.B.Riley@massey.ac.nz.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
  1. Riley CB, Padalino B, Rogers CW, Thompson KR. Human Injuries Associated with the Transport of Horses by Road. Animals (Basel) 2023 May 10;13(10).
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  3. Riley CB, Rogers CW, Thompson KR, Guiver D, Padalino B. A Survey-Based Analysis of Injuries to Horses Associated with Transport by Road in New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 21;12(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12030259pubmed: 35158585google scholar: lookup
  4. Dai F, Zappaterra M, Minero M, Bocchini F, Riley CB, Padalino B. Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviors and Injuries: A Survey of Italian Horse Industry Members. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 18;11(1).
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  5. Dai F, Mazzola S, Cannas S, Heinzl EUL, Padalino B, Minero M, Dalla Costa E. Habituation to Transport Helps Reducing Stress-Related Behavior in Donkeys During Loading. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:593138.
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  7. Dai F, Dalla Costa A, Bonfanti L, Caucci C, Di Martino G, Lucarelli R, Padalino B, Minero M. Positive Reinforcement-Based Training for Self-Loading of Meat Horses Reduces Loading Time and Stress-Related Behavior. Front Vet Sci 2019;6:350.
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  9. Padalino B, Rogers CW, Guiver D, Thompson KR, Riley CB. A Survey-Based Investigation of Human Factors Associated With Transport Related Injuries in Horses. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:294.
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