Effects of Transport Conditions on Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Horses.
Authors: Padalino Barbara, Raidal Sharanne L
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Transport Conditions and Equine Welfare Bay configuration and travel direction significantly influence how horses respond physically and psychologically to transport, according to Padalino and Raidal's 2020 investigation of 26 mares subjected to 12-hour confinement or transport in either single or wide bays, facing forwards or backwards. Behavioural monitoring during transport revealed that rear-facing orientation and wider bay space reduced balance-related behaviours—a critical finding given that loss of balance showed strong positive associations with both increased severity of squamous gastric ulceration and elevated muscle enzyme levels post-transport. Whilst transportation predictably elevated cortisol and muscle enzymes regardless of conditions, the researchers found behavioural and physiological parameters (heart rate, rectal temperature, gastrointestinal sounds) were substantially more sensitive indicators of transport-induced stress than standard haematological or biochemical assays. The implications for equine professionals are considerable: optimising transport specifications (particularly rear-facing positioning and adequate space) may meaningfully reduce gastric ulceration risk, whilst systematic post-transport behavioural observation combined with vital sign monitoring offers more reliable welfare assessment than relying on laboratory values alone. These findings underscore the need for transport regulations to move beyond minimal space thresholds and incorporate orientation guidelines, with ongoing handler vigilance for behavioural signs of compromised balance and stress rather than assuming clinical stability based on routine bloodwork.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Transport horses rear-facing and in wider bays when possible to reduce balance-related stress and associated gastric ulcer risk
- •Monitor behaviour during transport and physiological signs post-transport (heart rate, temperature, behaviour observation) as reliable indicators of transport stress; standard blood work may not detect problems
- •Poor balance during transport is a red flag for gastric ulceration and muscle damage—transport conditions should be optimised to minimise balance loss
Key Findings
- •Horses transported rear-facing and in wider bays exhibited fewer balance-related behaviours compared to forward-facing transport in single bays
- •Balance behaviours, particularly loss of balance, were positively associated with severity of gastric ulceration and elevated muscle enzymes (CK) post-transport
- •Behavioural and physiological parameters (heart rate, rectal temperature, stress behaviours) were more sensitive indicators of transport stress than haematological or endocrine analytes (cortisol)
- •Transportation increased stress and balance-related behaviours in all horses, with increased stress behaviours correlating with decreased gastrointestinal sounds