Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviors and Injuries: A Survey of Italian Horse Industry Members.
Authors: Dai Francesca, Zappaterra Martina, Minero Michela, Bocchini Francesca, Riley Christopher B, Padalino Barbara
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Transport-Related Problems and Injuries in Italian Horse Populations An Italian survey of 148 respondents examined associations between transport management practices and both transport-related problem behaviours (TRPBs) and injuries in horses over a two-year period. Using logistic regression analysis, researchers identified several significant risk factors: problem behaviours occurred in 14.45% of cases and were associated with respondent gender, pre-transport tranquilizer use, whip application during loading, absence of protective equipment, and lack of shavings as floor bedding. Transport injuries affected 11.49% of horses and showed stronger associations with vehicles lacking pre-journey brake checks, those featuring chest bar padding, and horses displaying TRPBs—notably, animals exhibiting problem behaviours were significantly more likely to sustain injury (p = 0.001). Beyond equine welfare concerns, handlers themselves faced injury risk: 7.14% of respondents sustained transport-related injuries, with half of these occurring simultaneously with their horses. Whilst the small sample size and recall bias warrant cautious interpretation, these findings align with existing literature and highlight that transport represents a substantive health and welfare risk for both horse and handler, signalling clear need for evidence-based management guidelines to standardise industry practice and reduce preventable transport-related incidents.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Implement pre-transport vehicle safety checks including brake function, and use appropriate floor bedding (shavings) and protective equipment to reduce injury risk
- •Minimize stress-inducing loading practices (whip use) and consider evidence-based tranquilizer protocols, as these factors are associated with problem behaviors and subsequent injuries
- •Recognize that horses displaying transport-related problem behaviors have significantly higher injury risk; address behavioral issues as a welfare and safety priority for both horse and handler
Key Findings
- •Transport-related problem behaviors (TRPBs) were reported in 14.45% of horses, associated with respondent gender, tranquilizer use, whip use for loading, lack of protective equipment, and lack of shavings on vehicle floor
- •Horse transport injuries occurred in 11.49% of cases and were linked to unchecked brakes, padded chest bars, and horses displaying TRPBs (p=0.001)
- •7.14% of handlers (10/140) reported injuries during horse transport, with 50% occurring simultaneously with their horses
- •Study findings limited by small sample size and recall bias but align with existing literature confirming transport as a health and welfare risk