Equine Transport-Related Problem Behaviors and Injuries: A Survey of Italian Horse Industry Members

Simple Summary The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for equine transport-related problem behaviors (TRPBs) and injuries in support of the development of best practices that minimize their occurrence. An online cross-sectional survey was designed and disseminated to equine industry members in Italy. Respondents were asked if one of their horses exhibited TRPBs or sustained transport injuries during the two previous years, and to describe their equine background, experience, transport vehicles, and practices. TRPBs were reported by 14.45% of respondents. Sedation and coercive equipment (i.e., whip) use for loading were confirmed to be major risk factors for horse injuries (17/148; 11.49%). Horse injuries were also associated with a lack of checks of the vehicle brakes, and vehicle design (i.e., rubber mat and chest bar). During 50% of the accidents described, horses and handlers were simultaneously injured. These results may be useful to safeguard horse and handler well-being by educating people in charge of moving horses on transport risks and best practices. An online survey was conducted to determine associations between equine transport management and transport-related injuries and problem behaviors in Italy. The survey was composed of four sections: respondents' demographic information and background, transport management practices, journey details and vehicle design, and transport injuries experienced by the horse in the previous two-year period. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression with a binary outcome variable was performed to explore associations between variables (respondents' and journeys' details and transport practices) and equine transport-related problem behaviors (TRPBs) and injuries. TRPBs were also considered an explanatory variable for injuries. The survey generated 201 responses; only 148 were complete and analyzed. TRPBs were reported by 14.45% of the respondents and the odds of TRPBs was linked to the respondent gender (p = 0.034), the use of tranquilizers prior to transport (p = 0.002), the use of a whip for loading (p = 0.049), the lack of protection equipment (p = 0.050), and shavings (p = 0.025) on the vehicle floor. Horse injuries (11.49%) were reported by more respondents who did not check the brakes of their transport vehicle before traveling (p = 0.043), had vehicles with padding on the chest bar (p = 0.038), and for horses reported to display TRPBs (p = 0.001). Finally, 10 respondents reported they were injured during horse transport (10/140; 7.14%), 50% simultaneously with their horses. The study findings should be interpreted with caution due to small sample size bias and participants' recall bias. Nevertheless, the results are in concordance with the literature, confirming that horse transport is a risk for the horse's and handler's health and well-being. Further studies are needed to identify best management practices to educate equine industry members on how to minimize transport-related problems.

Automated summary

The study identified factors such as the use of sedation and whips for loading, lack of vehicle brake checks, and vehicle design as major risk factors for equine transport-related injuries and problem behaviors. Educating industry members on best practices to minimize transport-related problems is crucial for safeguarding the well-being of horses and handlers.