LAUSR.org creates dashboard-style pages of related content for over 1.5 million academic articles. Sign Up to like articles & get recommendations!

Investigations Into Equine Transport‐Related Problem Behaviors: Survey Results

Photo from wikipedia

&NA; Transport‐related problem behaviors (TRPBs) in horses are an animal welfare concern, and many training methods in loading/travelling have been recommended to reduce their incidence. This study aimed to investigate… Click to show full abstract

&NA; Transport‐related problem behaviors (TRPBs) in horses are an animal welfare concern, and many training methods in loading/travelling have been recommended to reduce their incidence. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of TRPB and training methods in Australia and to identify risks for and consequences of TRPB. An online survey was conducted, and respondents reported whether and how they trained horses for loading and/or travelling. They were also asked whether their horses suffered from transport‐related problem behaviors or injuries, the industry sector in which they participated and details of the vehicle used for transport. TRPB were classified into preloading, loading, travelling (TPB), and unloading. Training methods were classified into operant conditioning (OC), self‐loading (SL), habituation (H), and no training (NT). TRPB were reported by 38.0% of respondents, mainly at loading and travelling. Although 43.5% of respondents did not train their horses, OC, H, and SL were applied by 25.5%, 20.2%, and 10.8%, respectively. In 98% of cases, OC was applied by negative reinforcement/positive punishment. Training method was identified as a risk factor for all types of TRPB: their odds were higher in horses trained by OC and NT compared to SL and H. Racing horses were at high risk of TPB (P < .001). Two‐horse straight float was associated with a higher risk of preloading (P = .018) and loading problem behaviors (P = .007) and injuries (P = .022). While loading and travelling problems were a risk factor for transport‐related injuries, H and SL reduced this risk. These training approaches are recommended to safeguard horse welfare during transport. HighlightsAn association between training methods, transport‐related problem behaviors and injuries were found.The odds of problem behaviors were higher in horses trained by negative reinforcement.Loading and travelling problems were identified as risk factors for injuries during transportation.Habituation and self‐loading training are recommended to safeguard welfare during transport.

Keywords: problem behaviors; transport related; loading travelling; related problem; problem

Journal Title: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Year Published: 2017

Link to full text (if available)


Share on Social Media:                               Sign Up to like & get
recommendations!

Related content

More Information              News              Social Media              Video              Recommended



                Click one of the above tabs to view related content.