A Survey on Transport Management Practices Associated with Injuries and Health Problems in Horses.
Authors: Padalino Barbara, Raidal Sharanne L, Hall Evelyn, Knight Peter, Celi Pietro, Jeffcott Leo, Muscatello Gary
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Transport-Related Injuries in Horses: A Survey of Australian Practice A 2016 Australian survey of 797 horse handlers examined the relationship between transport management practices and transport-related health problems, using univariate and multivariate statistical modelling to explore associations across seven key outcomes including traumatic injuries, respiratory disease, metabolic and gastrointestinal conditions. Traumatic injuries dominated the findings at 45% incidence, with younger handlers managing large numbers of horses (>30 weekly) reporting significantly higher injury rates; notably, the use of protective equipment and tranquilisers prior to transport—measures intended to prevent injury—were paradoxically associated with increased injury reporting, suggesting confounding factors related to risk perception or at-risk populations. Heat stroke (10.5%) and diarrhoea (20%) proved more common in amateur handlers and were linked to restrictive pre-transport feeding and watering regimens, whilst muscular problems (13%) correlated with absent pre-journey health assessment and laminitis risk tripled when post-transport recovery strategies were omitted; transport pneumonia (9.2%) showed duration and racing activity associations, but no management variables predicted colic incidence (10.3%). For equine professionals, these findings reinforce current best-practice recommendations—particularly comprehensive pre-journey health screening, adequate access to hay and water, and structured post-transport recovery—though the retrospective, perception-based nature of the data warrants cautious interpretation and further investigation into causative mechanisms underlying these associations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Always allow access to hay and water during transport and implement post-journey recovery protocols to significantly reduce heat stroke and laminitis risk
- •Assess horse health status before transport and provide appropriate protections; younger/less experienced handlers managing large numbers of horses should prioritize safety checks
- •For racehorses or long-distance transport, monitor closely for pneumonia signs and ensure adequate ventilation; check horses immediately after arrival to identify and manage injuries early
Key Findings
- •Traumatic injuries were the most common transport-related problem with 45.0% incidence; younger handlers (<40 years) managing large numbers of horses (>30/week) reported higher injury rates
- •Heat stroke risk increased 3-fold when hay and water were restricted prior to transport, with amateur carers reporting more cases (10.5%) than professionals
- •Laminitis risk was approximately 3-fold greater when post-transport recovery strategies were not applied (2.9% overall incidence)
- •Transport pneumonia (9.2% incidence) was associated with longer journey duration and horses involved in racing; failure to assess horse health before transport increased muscular problems (13.0%)