Abstract
Simple SummaryThe transport of horses by road is necessary for several reasons, including competition and leisure, moving horses between yards and for breeding and veterinary purposes. In addition to the risks associated with road travel in general, the reaction of some horses to confinement in a transport vehicle may result in injury to the animal. An online survey was carried out to investigate the frequency of incidents during road transport and identify potential risk factors. Of the 2116 survey participants, 342 reported incident details. Over 50% of these incidents were attributed to the behaviour of the horse during transport, with most of these occurring during the first hour of the outward journey. The horse was injured in over 50% of the incidents, with transport vehicle malfunction being thought to be responsible for 68% of these injuries. Those transporting horses for competitive or professional purposes were more likely to have reported an incident than those transporting for leisure purposes. The findings of this survey highlight the need for better training and preparation of horses for transportation and to identify the risk factors associated with transport vehicles. The number of equines injured as a result of incidents during road transport is currently unknown in the United Kingdom. Although previous research has identified factors that affect an equine’s behavioural and physiological responses to transportation, their contribution to incident occurrence and injury risk is unclear. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with incident occurrence and equine injury during transportation by road. An online survey was administered between 12 May 2017 and 21 July 2017 in the UK. The survey was open to those transporting equines non-commercially and comprised two sections. Questions relating to general transport behaviour were completed by all participants. Participants who had experienced an incident then provided details of these, including outcomes. Incidents were reported by 16.2% (342/2116) of participants, with details included for 399 incidents. Those participants who had a professional/competitive involvement with equines reported more incidents than those with a predominantly leisure involvement (p < 0.01). Equine behaviour was the attributed cause of 56% of incidents reported and most incidents occurred during the first hour of travel (65%). In over 50% of the incidents reported, the equine was injured, with those incidents attributed to transport vehicle malfunction being associated with the highest percentage of injury (68%). This study highlights the need for better preparation of the equine for transportation and to identify risk factors associated with transport vehicle type, design and operation.
Highlights
The transport of horses by road is necessary for several reasons, including competition and leisure, commercial activity, and for breeding and veterinary purposes [1]
The findings of the current study carried out in the United Kingdom (UK) agree with those of comparable surveys conducted in Australia [6] and New Zealand [7], that those who transport horses for competitive and/or professional purposes were more likely to have experienced a transport-related incident than those transporting for leisure and recreation
In Australia, in a survey of horse injury during non-commercial transport, 24.7% of participants reported transport-related injuries to their horses [6]. This slightly higher percentage than that found in the current study could be linked to the fact that the survey was conducted at competitive events and, again, the participants were likely to transport their horses frequently
Summary
The transport of horses by road is necessary for several reasons, including competition and leisure, commercial activity, and for breeding and veterinary purposes [1]. The conditions under which horses and other equines are transported for sporting and leisure purposes are not directly comparable, research findings to date suggest that such transportation may still have a negative impact on health and performance [5]. The scale of the problem and the prevalence of injuries sustained during non-commercial transportation for sport, leisure and related purposes has yet to be determined. Recent surveys conducted in Australia [6] and New Zealand [7] indicate that transport-related incidents in the equine sporting and leisure sectors are not uncommon, with the potential scale of the problem dependent upon transportation frequency [7].
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