Effects of cross-tying horses during 24 h of road transport.
Authors: Stull C L, Rodiek A V
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Cross-Tying and Transport Stress in Horses Respiratory disease is a well-recognised sequel to long-distance road transport, with stress identified as a significant predisposing factor. Stull and Rodiek investigated whether the common practice of cross-tying horses during 24-hour journeys exacerbates this stress response, using a crossover design in which ten horses were transported either cross-tied or loose in small compartments, with blood sampling at standardised intervals across baseline, transport, and two-day recovery phases. Cross-tied horses demonstrated significantly elevated white blood cell counts, elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, and higher glucose and cortisol concentrations during both transport and the subsequent recovery period compared to loose-housed animals, whilst all horses showed baseline elevation in inflammatory markers (including alpha1-acid glycoprotein and aminotransferase activity), suggesting transport itself—regardless of restraint method—triggers systemic stress. These findings provide evidence-based support for allowing horses to travel loose in small compartments without head restraint during extended journeys, a management adjustment that could meaningfully reduce immunosuppression and potentially lower the incidence of transport-associated respiratory disease in competition and breeding stock. Farriers, veterinarians, and transport operators should consider this evidence when advising on or arranging long-distance movements, particularly for young, high-value, or immunocompromised animals.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Allow horses to travel loose in small enclosed compartments rather than cross-tied during journeys exceeding 24 hours to reduce stress-induced immune and metabolic disturbances.
- •Cross-tying elevates respiratory disease risk factors (elevated cortisol, WBC counts, neutrophil ratios) compared to loose transport, making it a less favorable practice for long-distance hauling.
- •Implement loose small-group or individual compartment transport protocols to improve welfare and reduce disease predisposition in show and racehorses on long journeys.
Key Findings
- •Cross-tied horses showed significantly elevated white blood cell counts, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios, glucose, and cortisol concentrations compared to loose horses during 24-hour transport and recovery.
- •All horses showed significantly elevated serum cortisol, lactate, glucose, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, total protein, PCV, WBC counts, and aminotransferase and creatine kinase from baseline over the 4-day study period.
- •Loose housing in small compartments without head restriction resulted in lower physiological stress markers than cross-tying during long-term road transport.