A Survey-Based Analysis of Injuries to Horses Associated with Transport by Road in New Zealand.
Authors: Riley Christopher B, Rogers Chris W, Thompson Kirrilly R, Guiver Danielle, Padalino Barbara
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
Road transport injuries represent a substantial but under-documented welfare concern for New Zealand's horse industry, prompting researchers to survey 1,133 equine professionals about their transport experiences and injury prevalence over a two-year period. Of respondents, 17.7% reported at least one transport-related injury, with 81% of incidents occurring during transit rather than loading or unloading, and horses transported in groups showing markedly higher risk (39.4% injured when with one other horse, 21.2% when with multiple companions). Hindlimb, head, and forelimb trauma dominated the injury profile, ranging from minor bruising to catastrophic orthopaedic injuries requiring euthanasia. Logistic regression analysis revealed that eventing participation, skipping fitness assessments pre-transport, use of tail guards or bandages, inadequate stallion guards, specific bedding choices, and pre-existing behavioural problems were all statistically significant risk factors (p < 0.05). These findings underscore the need for transport protocols that address group dynamics and individual horse assessment; farriers and veterinarians should prioritise identifying horses with transport-related limb trauma, whilst coaches and organisers can advocate for evidence-based transport practices—particularly regarding travelling companion numbers and pre-transport fitness evaluations—to meaningfully reduce injury incidence.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Assess horse fitness before transport and monitor behavioural signs; travelling with multiple horses increases injury risk, so single transport or careful pairing should be considered
- •Use of protective equipment (tail guards, bandages, stallion guards) and appropriate bedding are associated with injuries—review current practices and handler technique
- •Event horses show higher injury rates during transport; develop safer loading/unloading protocols and secure transport conditions, particularly for nervous or poorly-behaved individuals
Key Findings
- •17.7% of surveyed horse owners reported at least one transport-related injury over 2 years in New Zealand
- •81% of incidents occurred in transit, with 39.4% involving single companion horses and 21.2% involving multiple companions
- •Hindlimbs, head, and forelimbs were most commonly injured (59.1% of cases), ranging from bruises to fatal orthopaedic trauma
- •Eventing, not checking fitness for transport, tail guard/bandage use, stallion guards, bedding type, and behavioural problems were significant risk factors for injury