Ambience in the transport of horses and the effects on stress responses

Aérica Cirqueira Nazareno; Iran José Oliveira da Silva; Danielle Priscila Bueno Fernandes

doi:10.14269/2318-1265/jabb.v3n3p73-80

Keywords:

physiological imbalance

Abstract

The equine transport is compromised by a number of concurrent factors, which explains the high rate of production loss in this stage, diseases attributed to, loss of body weight and death. These losses can be prevented by means of an appropriate ambience management, which reduces stress and improves the well-being of the animal. The aim of this review was to provide practical outcomes about ambience in the transport of horses and the stress influences. The knowledge of ambience and stressors that operate in transportation of horses assist the producer and/or handler on the suitability of correct management and reducing economic losses in the horse breeding sector, ensuring thermal comfort and improved animal welfare.
References
1. Almeida FQ, Silva VP (2010) Progresso científico em equideocultura na 1a década do século XXI. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 39:119-129.
2. Art T, Lekeux P (2005) Exercise-induced physiological adjustments to stressful conditions in sports horses. Livestock Production Science 92:101-111.
3. Baucus KL, Ralston SL, Nickels CF, Mckinnon AO, Squires EL (1990) Effects of transportation on early embryonic death in mares. Journal of Animal Science 68:345-351.
4. Chirase NK, Greene LW, Purdy CW, Loan RW, Auvermann BW, Parker DB, Walborg EFJR, Stevenson DE, Xu Y, Klaunig JE (2004) Effect of transport stress on respiratory disease, serum antioxidant status, and serum concentrations of lipid peroxidation biomarkers in beef cattle. American Journal of Veterinary Research65:860–886.
5. Clark DK, Friend TH, Dellmeier G (1993) The effect of orientation during trailer transport on heart-rate, cortisol and balance in horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 38:179-89.
6. Codazza D, Maffeo G, Redaelli G (1974) Serum enzyme changes and haemato-chemical levels in thoroughbreds after transport and exercise. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 45:331-334.
7. Cregier SE (1982) Reducing equine hauling stress: A review. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2:187-198.
8. Cross N, Van Doorn F, Versnel C, Cadwell-Smith J, Phillips C (2008) Effects of lighting conditions on the welfare of horses being loaded for transportation. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 3:20-24.
9. Fazio E, Medica P, Aronica V, Grasso L, Ferlazzo A (2008) Circulating betaendorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol levels of stallions before and after short road transport: stress effect of different distances. Acta Veteterinaria Scandinavica 50:1-6.
10. Ferguson DL, Rosales Ruiz J (2001) Loading the problem loader: the effects of target training and shaping on trailer loading behavior of horses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 34:409–424.
11. Friend TH (2000) Dehydration, stress, and water consumption of horses during long-distance commercial transport. Journal of Animal Science 78:2568-2580.
12. Grandin T, Mcgee K, Lanier JI (1999) Prevalence of severe welfare problems in horses that arrive at slaughter plants. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 214:1531-1533.
13. Hotchkiss JW, Reid SW, Christley RM (2007) A survey of horse owners in Great Britain regarding horses in their care. Part 2: risk factor for recurrent airway obstruction. Equine Veterinary Journal 39:301-308.
14. Iacono L, Friend T, Keen H, Martin T, Krawczel P (2007) Effects of density and water availability on the behavior, physiology, and weight loss of slaughter horses during transport. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 27:355-361.
15. Ito S, Hobo S, Eto D, Sato H (2001) Bronchoalveolar lavage for the diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia associated with transport in thoroughbred racehorses. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 63:263-1269.
16. Kay R, Hall C (2009) The use of a mirror reduces isolation stress in horses being transported by trailer. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 116:237-243.
17. Lee JBS, Houpt KVMD, Doherty OMVB (2001)A survey of trailering problems in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 21:235-238.
18. Mcafee LM, Mills DS, Cooper JJ (2002) The use of mirrors for the control of stereotypic weaving behaviour in the stabled horse. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 78:159–173.
19. Minka NS, Ayo JO (2009) Physiological responses of food animals to road transportation stress. African Journal of Biotechnology 8:7415-7427.
20. Mitchell MA, Kettlewell PJ (2008) Engineering and design of vehicles for long distance road transport of livestock (ruminants, pigs and poultry). Veterinaria Italiana 44:201-213.
21. Niedźwiedź A, Kubiak K, Nicpoń J (2013) Plasma total antioxidant status in horses after 8-hours of road transportation. Acta Veteterinaria Scandinavica 55:2-4.
22. Oikawa M, Hobo S, Oyamada T, Yoshikawa H (2005) Effects of orientation, intermittent rest and vehicle cleaning during transport on development of transport-related respiratory disease in horses. Journal of Comparative Pathology 132:153–168.
23. Onmaz AC, Van Den Hoven R, Gunes V, Cinar M, Kucuk O (2011) Oxidative stress in horses after a 12-hours transport period. Revue de Médecine Vétérinaire 162:213-217.
24. Padalino B, Maggiolino A, Boccaccio M, Tateo A (2012) Effects of different positions during transport on physiological and behavioral changes of horses. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 7:135-141.
25. Paludo GR, Mcmanus C, Melo RQ, Cardoso AG, Mello FPS, Moreira M, Fuck BH (2002) Efeito do Estresse Térmico e do Exercício sobre Parâmetros Fisiológicos de Cavalos do Exército Brasileiro. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 31:1130-1142.
26. Pickrell JÁ (1991) Hazards in confinement housing – gases and dusts in confined animal houses for swine, poultry, horses and humans. Veterinary and Human Toxicology 33:32–9.
27. Po E, Williams C, Muscatello G, Celi P (2013) Assessment of oxidative stress biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate and blood of Thoroughbred foals. Veterinary Journal 196:269-271.
28. Purswell JL, Gates RS, Lawrence LM, Davis JD (2010) Thermal environment in a four-horse slant-load trailer. Transactions of the ASABE 53:1885-1894.
29. SchmidtA, Biau S, Möstl E, Becker-Birck M, Morillon B, Aurich J, Faure JM, Aurich C (2010) Changes in cortisol release and heart rate variability in sport horses during long-distance road transport. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 38:179-189.
30. Smith BL, Miles JA, Jones JH, Willits NH (1996) Influence of suspension, tires, and shock absorbers on vibration in a two-horse trailer. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 39:1083-1092.
31. Snedden JC, Van Der Walt JG, Mitchell G (1991) Water homeostasis in desert-dwelling horses. Journal Appllied Physiology 71:112–117.
32. Stull CL (1999) Responses of horses to trailer design, duration, and floor area during commercial transportation to slaughter. Journal of Animal Science 77:2925-2933.
33. Tateo A, Padalino B, Boccaccio M, Maggiolino A, Centoducati P (2012) Transport stress in horses: effects of two different distances. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 7:33-42.
34. Tharwat M, Al-Sobayi F (2014) Influence of Transportation on the Serum Concentrations of the Cardiac Biomarkers Troponin I and Creatine Kinase-myocardial Band (CK-MB) and on Cortisol and Lactate in Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 34:662-667.
35. Tinker MK, White NA, Lessard P, Thatcher CD, Pelzer KD, Davis B, Carmel DK (1997) Prospective study of equine colic risk factors. Equine Veterinary Journal 29:454–458.
36. Traub-Dargatz JL, MckinnonAO, Bruyninckx WJ, Thrall MA, Jones RL, Blancquaert AMB (1988) Effect of transport stress on broncoalveolar lavage fluid analysis in female horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research 49:1026-1029.
37. Weeks CA, Mcgreevy PD, Waran NK (2012) Welfare issue related to transport and handling of both trained and unhandled horses and ponies. Equine Veterinary Education 24:423-430.
38. Whiting T (1999) Maximum loading density of loose horses. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 79:115-118.
39. Wylie CE, Collins SN, Verheyen KLP, Newton JR (2013) Risk factors for equine laminitis: A case-control study conducted in veterinary-registered horses and ponies in Great Britain between 2009 and 2011. The Veterinary Journal 198:57–69.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Nazareno, A. C., Silva , I. J. O. da, & Fernandes, D. P. B. (2015). Ambience in the transport of horses and the effects on stress responses. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology, 3(3), 73–80. https://doi.org/10.14269/2318-1265/jabb.v3n3p73-80

[1] Almeida FQ, Silva VP (2010) Progresso científico em equideocultura na 1a década do século XXI. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 39:119-129.

[2] Art T, Lekeux P (2005) Exercise-induced physiological adjustments to stressful conditions in sports horses. Livestock Production Science 92:101-111.

[3] Baucus KL, Ralston SL, Nickels CF, Mckinnon AO, Squires EL (1990) Effects of transportation on early embryonic death in mares. Journal of Animal Science 68:345-351.

[4] Chirase NK, Greene LW, Purdy CW, Loan RW, Auvermann BW, Parker DB, Walborg EFJR, Stevenson DE, Xu Y, Klaunig JE (2004) Effect of transport stress on respiratory disease, serum antioxidant status, and serum concentrations of lipid peroxidation biomarkers in beef cattle. American Journal of Veterinary Research65:860–886.

[5] Clark DK, Friend TH, Dellmeier G (1993) The effect of orientation during trailer transport on heart-rate, cortisol and balance in horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 38:179-89.

[6] Codazza D, Maffeo G, Redaelli G (1974) Serum enzyme changes and haemato-chemical levels in thoroughbreds after transport and exercise. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 45:331-334.

[7] Cregier SE (1982) Reducing equine hauling stress: A review. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2:187-198.

[8] Cross N, Van Doorn F, Versnel C, Cadwell-Smith J, Phillips C (2008) Effects of lighting conditions on the welfare of horses being loaded for transportation. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 3:20-24.

[9] Fazio E, Medica P, Aronica V, Grasso L, Ferlazzo A (2008) Circulating betaendorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol levels of stallions before and after short road transport: stress effect of different distances. Acta Veteterinaria Scandinavica 50:1-6.

[10] Ferguson DL, Rosales Ruiz J (2001) Loading the problem loader: the effects of target training and shaping on trailer loading behavior of horses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 34:409–424.

[11] Friend TH (2000) Dehydration, stress, and water consumption of horses during long-distance commercial transport. Journal of Animal Science 78:2568-2580.

[12] Grandin T, Mcgee K, Lanier JI (1999) Prevalence of severe welfare problems in horses that arrive at slaughter plants. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 214:1531-1533.

[13] Hotchkiss JW, Reid SW, Christley RM (2007) A survey of horse owners in Great Britain regarding horses in their care. Part 2: risk factor for recurrent airway obstruction. Equine Veterinary Journal 39:301-308.

[14] Iacono L, Friend T, Keen H, Martin T, Krawczel P (2007) Effects of density and water availability on the behavior, physiology, and weight loss of slaughter horses during transport. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 27:355-361.

[15] Ito S, Hobo S, Eto D, Sato H (2001) Bronchoalveolar lavage for the diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia associated with transport in thoroughbred racehorses. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 63:263-1269.

[16] Kay R, Hall C (2009) The use of a mirror reduces isolation stress in horses being transported by trailer. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 116:237-243.

[17] Lee JBS, Houpt KVMD, Doherty OMVB (2001)A survey of trailering problems in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 21:235-238.

[18] Mcafee LM, Mills DS, Cooper JJ (2002) The use of mirrors for the control of stereotypic weaving behaviour in the stabled horse. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 78:159–173.

[19] Minka NS, Ayo JO (2009) Physiological responses of food animals to road transportation stress. African Journal of Biotechnology 8:7415-7427.

[20] Mitchell MA, Kettlewell PJ (2008) Engineering and design of vehicles for long distance road transport of livestock (ruminants, pigs and poultry). Veterinaria Italiana 44:201-213.

[21] Niedźwiedź A, Kubiak K, Nicpoń J (2013) Plasma total antioxidant status in horses after 8-hours of road transportation. Acta Veteterinaria Scandinavica 55:2-4.

[22] Oikawa M, Hobo S, Oyamada T, Yoshikawa H (2005) Effects of orientation, intermittent rest and vehicle cleaning during transport on development of transport-related respiratory disease in horses. Journal of Comparative Pathology 132:153–168.

[23] Onmaz AC, Van Den Hoven R, Gunes V, Cinar M, Kucuk O (2011) Oxidative stress in horses after a 12-hours transport period. Revue de Médecine Vétérinaire 162:213-217.

[24] Padalino B, Maggiolino A, Boccaccio M, Tateo A (2012) Effects of different positions during transport on physiological and behavioral changes of horses. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 7:135-141.

[25] Paludo GR, Mcmanus C, Melo RQ, Cardoso AG, Mello FPS, Moreira M, Fuck BH (2002) Efeito do Estresse Térmico e do Exercício sobre Parâmetros Fisiológicos de Cavalos do Exército Brasileiro. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 31:1130-1142.

[26] Pickrell JÁ (1991) Hazards in confinement housing – gases and dusts in confined animal houses for swine, poultry, horses and humans. Veterinary and Human Toxicology 33:32–9.

[27] Po E, Williams C, Muscatello G, Celi P (2013) Assessment of oxidative stress biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate and blood of Thoroughbred foals. Veterinary Journal 196:269-271.

[28] Purswell JL, Gates RS, Lawrence LM, Davis JD (2010) Thermal environment in a four-horse slant-load trailer. Transactions of the ASABE 53:1885-1894.

[29] SchmidtA, Biau S, Möstl E, Becker-Birck M, Morillon B, Aurich J, Faure JM, Aurich C (2010) Changes in cortisol release and heart rate variability in sport horses during long-distance road transport. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 38:179-189.

[30] Smith BL, Miles JA, Jones JH, Willits NH (1996) Influence of suspension, tires, and shock absorbers on vibration in a two-horse trailer. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 39:1083-1092.

[31] Snedden JC, Van Der Walt JG, Mitchell G (1991) Water homeostasis in desert-dwelling horses. Journal Appllied Physiology 71:112–117.

[32] Stull CL (1999) Responses of horses to trailer design, duration, and floor area during commercial transportation to slaughter. Journal of Animal Science 77:2925-2933.

[33] Tateo A, Padalino B, Boccaccio M, Maggiolino A, Centoducati P (2012) Transport stress in horses: effects of two different distances. Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 7:33-42.

[34] Tharwat M, Al-Sobayi F (2014) Influence of Transportation on the Serum Concentrations of the Cardiac Biomarkers Troponin I and Creatine Kinase-myocardial Band (CK-MB) and on Cortisol and Lactate in Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 34:662-667.

[35] Tinker MK, White NA, Lessard P, Thatcher CD, Pelzer KD, Davis B, Carmel DK (1997) Prospective study of equine colic risk factors. Equine Veterinary Journal 29:454–458.

[36] Traub-Dargatz JL, MckinnonAO, Bruyninckx WJ, Thrall MA, Jones RL, Blancquaert AMB (1988) Effect of transport stress on broncoalveolar lavage fluid analysis in female horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research 49:1026-1029.

[37] Weeks CA, Mcgreevy PD, Waran NK (2012) Welfare issue related to transport and handling of both trained and unhandled horses and ponies. Equine Veterinary Education 24:423-430.

[38] Whiting T (1999) Maximum loading density of loose horses. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 79:115-118.

[39] Wylie CE, Collins SN, Verheyen KLP, Newton JR (2013) Risk factors for equine laminitis: A case-control study conducted in veterinary-registered horses and ponies in Great Britain between 2009 and 2011. The Veterinary Journal 198:57–69.

Abstract

References

How to cite