Veterinary management of horse transport.

This research article is about the transportation of horses, the physical and psychological impacts it has on them, and the responsibilities of equine vets to ensure their wellbeing during transit. Legislation and guidelines set to safeguard their health and welfare are also discussed.

Horse Transport

The article begins by stating that countless horses are transported at local, national, and international levels each year. It highlights that:

• There are numerous guidelines and laws at national and international levels intended to ensure the health and wellbeing of horses during transit.
• Equine clinicians play a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases in the horse industry and understanding the challenges involved in horse transport.

Road, Sea, and Air Transport

Further into the article, the authors examine road, sea, and air transportation methods and their impacts on horses. They explain that:

• Various forms of road transport exist and each has distinct impacts on horses. These include the effect of confinement, isolation, loading, restraint within the vehicle, motion of vehicles, environmental challenges within the vehicles, feed and water intake, body posture during transportation, and orientation within the vehicle.
• Air transport, in particular, requires special consideration and management, especially for longer journeys. Detailed elaboration is provided on the particulars of managing horse wellbeing during air transport.

Impact of Transport on Health and Performance

The article concludes with a discussion on the effects of horse transportation on their health and performance. Specifically,

• The paper outlines the influence that transport can have on the incidence of illness and performance in horses.
• The authors also go into detail about Shipping Fever, a respiratory illness that is often associated with the stress and conditions of horse transport.