Risk factors in equine transport-related health problems: A survey of the Australian equine industry.
Abstract: Transportation can affect equine health and is a potential source of economic loss to the industry. Objective: To identify journey (duration, vehicle, commercial or noncommercial) and horse (sex, age, breed, use, amateur or professional status) characteristics associated with the development of transport-related health problems in horses. Methods: Cross-sectional online survey. Methods: An online survey was conducted targeting amateur and professional participants in the Australian equine industry; eligible respondents were required to organise horse movements at least monthly. Respondents provided details of the last case of a transport-related health problem that had affected their horse(s). Associations between type of health problem, journey and horse characteristics were examined with multivariable multinomial regression analysis. Results: Based on 214 responses, health problems were classified as injuries, muscular problems, heat stroke, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia. Respiratory problems were reported most frequently (33.7%), followed by gastrointestinal problems (23.8%) and traumatic injuries (16.3%). The type of health problem was associated with journey duration (P<0.001) and horse breed (P = 0.001). Injuries were more likely to occur on short journeys, whereas more severe illnesses (gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia) were more likely to occur on long journeys. Using Standardbreds as the reference group, Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Warmbloods were more likely to experience a severe illness than an injury. Conclusions: Self-selected participation in the study and the self-reported nature of transport-related problems. Conclusions: Horses undertaking journeys of longer than 24 h are at greater risk for the development of severe disease or death. Further studies on long-haul transportation effects are required to safeguard the welfare of horses moved over long distances.
© 2016 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2016-10-13 PubMed ID: 27564584DOI: 10.1111/evj.12631Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article investigates the potential risk factors such as journey duration, type of vehicle, and horse characteristics that are associated with transport-related health problems in horses, with the study being conducted through an online survey among the participants of the Australian equine industry. Result analysis is carried out using multivariable multinomial regression.
Methodology
- The research utilizes a cross-sectional online survey method. Only participants who organized horse movements at least monthly from the Australian equine industry were selected for this study.
- Respondents provide details about the last occurrence of a transport-related health problem that affected their horses.
Results
- Based on 214 responses, the health problems were classified into different categories: injuries, muscular problems, heat stroke, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia.
- The most frequently reported health problem was respiratory problems (33.7%), followed by gastrointestinal problems (23.8%) and traumatic injuries (16.3%).
- Health problems were found to be associated with the journey duration and the breed of the horse.
- Horses were more likely to experience injuries on short journeys, while severe illnesses (such as gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia) were more prevalent on long journeys.
- Regarding breed susceptibility, Thoroughbreds, Arabians, and Warmbloods were more likely to suffer from severe illnesses than injuries, using Standardbreds as the reference group.
Conclusions
- The results should be interpreted with caution due to self-selected participation in the study and the self-reported nature of transport-related problems, which can lead to biased results.
- The study concludes that horses undertaking journeys longer than 24 hours are at a greater risk of developing severe diseases or death. Therefore, additional studies focusing on the effects of long-haul transportation are suggested to enhance the welfare of horses moved over long distances.
Cite This Article
APA
Padalino B, Raidal SL, Hall E, Knight P, Celi P, Jeffcott L, Muscatello G.
(2016).
Risk factors in equine transport-related health problems: A survey of the Australian equine industry.
Equine Vet J, 49(4), 507-511.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12631 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
- Discipline of Biomedical Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- DSM Nutritional Products, Animal Nutrition and Health, Columbia, Maryland, USA.
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry / methods
- Animal Welfare
- Animals
- Australia
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Risk Factors
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Transportation
- Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
- Wounds and Injuries / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- Sugiyama F, Takahashi Y, Nomura M, Ebisuda Y, Mukai K, Yoshida T. Risk Factors for Epistaxis in Thoroughbred Flat Races in Japan (2001-2020). Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 14;13(8).
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- 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).
- Menchetti L, Dalla Costa E, Minero M, Padalino B. Development and Validation of a Test for the Classification of Horses as Broken or Unbroken. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 4;11(8).
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- Fenner K, Hyde M, Crean A, McGreevy P. Identifying Sources of Potential Bias When Using Online Survey Data to Explore Horse Training, Management, and Behaviour: A Systematic Literature Review. Vet Sci 2020 Sep 22;7(3).
- Padalino B, Davis GL, Raidal SL. Effects of transportation on gastric pH and gastric ulceration in mares. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Mar;34(2):922-932.
- Dalla Costa E, Tranquillo V, Dai F, Minero M, Battini M, Mattiello S, Barbieri S, Ferrante V, Ferrari L, Zanella A, Canali E. Text Mining Analysis to Evaluate Stakeholders' Perception Regarding Welfare of Equines, Small Ruminants, and Turkeys. Animals (Basel) 2019 May 8;9(5).
- Padalino B, Raidal SL, Knight P, Celi P, Jeffcott L, Muscatello G. Behaviour during transportation predicts stress response and lower airway contamination in horses. PLoS One 2018;13(3):e0194272.
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- Hepworth-Warren KL, Love K. Survey of the approach to the diagnosis and management of bacterial pneumonia in adult horses by equine veterinarians. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1484970.
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