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Frontiers in veterinary science2025; 12; 1647236; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1647236

Road transportation is associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses.

Abstract: Transportation of horses has been associated with colic and changes to the gastrointestinal microbiome. Percutaneous abdominal ultrasonography using wireless, point-of-care transducers can be used to assess gastrointestinal motility in field settings. Unassigned: Characterization of intestinal motility and salivary cortisol responses of horses completing commercial transportation of 10-12h. Unassigned: Prospective observational study of 30 horses with diverse signalment and transport histories. Clinical parameters, sonographic assessment of intestinal motility and saliva samples, were collected before departure (Tpre or T0), after off-loading (T1) and 2h after arrival (T2). Unassigned: After transportation, intestinal motility grades were reduced [Tpre median (IQR) composite motility grade: 8 (7-10), T1: 6 (4-7), T2: 7 (6-7);  < 0.001] and qualitative changes were observed in small intestinal sonographic appearance. High ambient temperatures during transport were associated with reduced intestinal motility at T1 (composite motility grade vs arrival temperature -0.45,  = 0.017) and T2 (cecal motility grade vs arrival temperature -0.74,  < 0.001). Horses with high heart rates, high sweat scores or abnormal demeanour on arrival demonstrated decreased intestinal motility. Salivary cortisol concentrations increased after transportation (mean difference, 95% CI, for T0 vs T1 was 1.66, 1.09-2.53 nmol/L) and were inversely associated with intestinal motility. Signalment and past travel history were not predictive of intestinal motility, but horses with unknown or no prior travel history (mean 12.8, 95%CI 8.2-17.4 nmol/L) had higher cortisol concentrations prior to departure than horses known to have travelled previously (7.9, 5.8-9.9 nmol/L,  = 0.023). Unassigned: These findings suggest that transportation is associated with transient reductions in intestinal motility, particularly during hot ambient conditions and in horses with increased cortisol response. Possible effects of provision of water and food during transport warrant further investigation.
Copyright © 2025 Raidal, Freccero, Carstens, Weaver and Padalino.
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Publication Date: 2025-08-18 PubMed ID: 40901066PubMed Central: PMC12401009DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1647236Google 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.

Overview

  • This study investigates how commercial road transportation affects intestinal motility and stress levels in horses, using ultrasound and salivary cortisol measurements.
  • It finds that transportation leads to a temporary decrease in intestinal movement, especially under hot conditions, and that stress responses correlate with this decrease.

Background and Purpose

  • Road transportation of horses is linked to an increased risk of colic, a serious gastrointestinal condition, and changes in the gut microbiome.
  • Assessing intestinal motility during transport is challenging, but portable, wireless abdominal ultrasound can provide real-time motility data in field settings.
  • The study aims to characterize intestinal motility and stress (via salivary cortisol) in horses undergoing long-duration commercial transport (10-12 hours).

Study Design

  • Prospective observational study including 30 horses of varying breeds, ages, and transportation histories.
  • Data collection points: before transport (T0), immediately after offloading (T1), and two hours after arrival (T2).
  • Parameters measured:
    • Clinical signs (e.g., heart rate, sweating, behavior)
    • Ultrasound-based motility grading of different intestinal segments
    • Salivary cortisol concentrations as an indicator of stress

Key Findings

  • Intestinal motility decreases significantly after transport: Composite motility scores dropped from a median of 8 pre-transport to 6 at offloading and partially recovered to 7 after 2 hours.
  • Ultrasound appearance changes: Qualitative alterations in small intestine sonographic images observed post-transport, indicating altered gut activity.
  • Temperature impact: High ambient temperatures during transport correlated with more pronounced decreases in intestinal motility at unloading and after arrival.
  • Clinical signs and motility: Horses showing high heart rates, increased sweating, or abnormal behavior on arrival also had reduced gut motility.

Stress Response Findings

  • Salivary cortisol levels increased significantly immediately after transport, indicating heightened stress.
  • Higher cortisol concentrations were linked to lower intestinal motility, suggesting a relationship between stress and gut function.
  • Horses without previous transport experience or unknown transport history had higher pre-transport cortisol levels, indicating greater baseline stress.

Implications and Recommendations

  • Transport-related stress and environmental factors such as heat can transiently impair intestinal motility in horses, potentially increasing vulnerability to gastrointestinal issues like colic.
  • Salivary cortisol may serve as a useful non-invasive biomarker to identify horses at risk of transport-related intestinal dysfunction.
  • Providing water and food during transportation might mitigate negative effects on intestinal motility, but this requires further study.
  • These results emphasize the need for careful management of transport conditions, especially ambient temperature and stress reduction strategies, to support horse gastrointestinal health during long journeys.

Cite This Article

APA
Raidal SL, Freccero F, Carstens A, Weaver S, Padalino B. (2025). Road transportation is associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses. Front Vet Sci, 12, 1647236. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1647236

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Pages: 1647236
PII: 1647236

Researcher Affiliations

Raidal, Sharanne L
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia.
  • School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.
Freccero, Francesca
  • Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Carstens, Ann
  • School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia.
Weaver, Sarah
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia.
Padalino, Barbara
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia.
  • Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

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