A Survey-Based Investigation of Human Factors Associated With Transport Related Injuries in Horses.
Authors: Padalino Barbara, Rogers Chris W, Guiver Danielle, Thompson Kirrilly R, Riley Christopher B
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Transport-Related Injuries in Horses — The Human Factor Road transport injuries represent a significant welfare and economic challenge in the equine industry, yet their causation remains poorly understood. Padalino and colleagues conducted an online survey of 1,133 New Zealand equine professionals and enthusiasts to establish the prevalence of transport-related injuries and identify which human factors—including handler experience, professional status, and industry sector—were associated with increased injury risk. Nearly one-fifth of respondents (17.7%) reported at least one horse injured during transport in the preceding two years, with almost 70% of documented injuries occurring during transit rather than loading or unloading; whilst handlers most often attributed injuries to horse behaviour (45.8%), driver error accounted for a notable 9.5% of perceived causes. Multivariate analysis revealed that handler experience level, industry sector, and professional versus amateur status were all significantly associated with injury risk, though the authors suggest this may partly reflect greater exposure among professionals transporting more horses more frequently. These findings underscore the potential for targeted education in transport best practices to reduce preventable injuries, particularly amongst handlers with limited experience or those new to the industry.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Transport injuries are common (affecting ~1 in 6 operations over 2 years) and warrant serious attention to best practices during the journey itself, not just loading procedures
- •Human factors matter: your experience level, how often you transport, and your professional background all influence injury risk—invest in training and education if transport is part of your operation
- •Consider whether horses or driver decisions are really at fault: the perception bias toward horse-related causes (45.8%) versus driver error (9.5%) suggests handlers may underestimate their own role in preventing injuries
Key Findings
- •17.7% of respondents reported at least one horse injured during transport in the previous two years
- •69.6% of reported injuries occurred during transit rather than loading/unloading
- •Horse-associated factors were perceived as the cause in 45.8% of cases, while driver mistakes accounted for only 9.5%
- •Experience in horse handling, industry sector, and professional vs. amateur involvement were significantly associated with transport injury risk