Behavioral features and effects of transport procedures on endocrine variables of horses

Welfare of equidae during transport

In the framework of its Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of animal welfare legislation. This opinion deals with the protection of horses and donkeys during transport. While the opinion focuses primarily on road transport of horses, there are specific sections dealing with the transport of horses on roll-on-roll-off ferries, horses transported by air and the transport of donkeys. In addition, the opinion covers welfare concerns in relation to a specific scenario identified by the European Commission related to the transport of horses on long journeys to slaughterhouses. Current practices related to transport of horses during the different stages (preparation, loading and unloading, transit and the journey breaks) are described. Overall, 13 welfare consequences were identified as being highly relevant for the welfare of horses during transport based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: gastro-enteric disorders, handling stress, heat stress, injuries, isolation stress, motion stress, prolonged hunger, prolonged thirst, respiratory disorders, resting problems, restriction of movement, sensory overstimulation and separation stress. These welfare consequences and their animal-based measures are described. A variety of hazards were identified related to factors such as inexperienced/untrained handlers, lack of horse training, structural deficiencies of vehicles/facilities, poor driving skills/conditions, horse separation/regrouping, unfavourable microclimatic and environmental conditions and poor husbandry practices. The opinion contains general and specific conclusions in relation to the different stages of transport. Recommendations to prevent hazards and correct or mitigate welfare consequences have been developed. Recommendations were also developed to define quantitative thresholds for microclimatic conditions within the means of transport and for space allowance. The development of welfare consequences over time was assessed in relation to maximum journey time.

Astragalus polysaccharide alleviates transport stress-induced heart injury in newly hatched chicks via ERS-UPR-Autophagy dependent pathway

Transport stress (TS) not only affects animal welfare but also eventually leads to higher morbidity and mortality. Moreover, TS could induce heart injury in animals, but the possible mechanism has yet to be fully explored. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is a main active component of Radix Astragali, which has an extensive anti-stress effect. However, the effect of APS on TS-induced heart injury has not yet been elucidated. In this study, a chick model of simulated TS was used. 240 newly hatched chicks were arranged into 4 groups: Control (Con), Transport group (T), Transport + water group (TW), and Transport + APS group (TA). Before transport, the chicks of the TW and TA groups were treated with deionized water and APS (0.25 mg/mL, 100 µL) by oral drops respectively. The histopathological analysis of myocardial tissue was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. qRT-PCR and Western Blotting assays were employed to measure the expression of genes and proteins. Semiquantitative PCR was performed for the X box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1) mRNA splicing assay. The results indicated that APS significantly reduced TS-induced myocardial histopathological changes. Meanwhile, TS induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), evidenced by an activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway and up-regulation of ERS-markers (P < 0.05). Moreover, TS markedly triggered autophagy induction by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), reflected by augmented LC3-II/LC3-I, AMPK phosphorylation and autophagy-related genes (ATGs) expression (P < 0.05). Importantly, our study manifested that treatment of APS could reduce TS-induced ERS and AMPK-activated autophagy, accordingly alleviating heart injury of transported chicks. In summary, these findings indicate that TS induces heart injury in chicks via an ERS-UPR-autophagy-dependent pathway, and APS as an effective therapeutic method to alleviate it.

A Survey-Based Analysis of Injuries to Horses Associated with Transport by Road in New Zealand

Simple Summary

The road transport of horses poses a significant welfare issue. This study describes the injuries sustained by horses during road transport in New Zealand in general alongside factors associated with injury while in a moving vehicle. More than 1100 New Zealand horse industry participants were surveyed on their horse transport experiences and equine industry activities. Of the survey participants, approximately a fifth reported at least one horse injured during road transport during the two years covered by the survey. Most injuries (81%) occurred in transit when transported with one (39%) or more than one (21%) other horse. Most commonly, the hindlimbs, the head, or the forelimbs were injured (59% of horses). Injuries ranged from bruises to severe trauma. Factors associated with injury included horses used for eventing, not always checking the fitness of horses for transport, the use of a tail guard or bandage, a stallion guard in the vehicle, loose bedding on the floor, and behavioural problems. Overall, this survey identified a significant number of injuries and related euthanasia in horses transported by road in New Zealand and key factors associated with these injuries.

Abstract

Negative outcomes associated with the road transport of horses are a significant welfare issue. This study aimed to describe the injuries sustained by horses during road transport in New Zealand and factors associated with trauma while in transit. New Zealand horse industry participants were surveyed on their horse transport experiences and equine industry involvement. Participants were solicited through horse organisations. The data were tabulated, and a logistic regression was performed to identify significant (p < 0.05) factors associated with transport-related injury. In total, 201/1133 (17.7%/2 years) eligible surveys reported at least one horse injured during road transport. Most incidents occurred in transit (137/169; 81%), or when transported with one (76/193; 39.4%) or more (41/193; 21.2%) other horses. Most commonly, the hindlimbs, the head, or the forelimbs were injured (59.1%; 110/186 horses), ranging in severity from bruises to catastrophic orthopaedic trauma necessitating euthanasia. Eventing, not always checking horses’ fitness for transport, using a tail guard or bandage, a stallion guard in the vehicle, bedding type on the floor, and behavioural problems were associated with injuries. This survey identified a significant incidence of injury and related death when horses are transported by road in New Zealand, and the key risk factors associated with the odds of injury.

Development and Validation of a Test for the Classification of Horses as Broken or Unbroken

Regulation EC 1/2005 has stricter rules for transportation of unbroken (untamed) vs. broken (tamed) horses, but does not provide adequate tools for their identification. This study aimed to develop and validate such a tool. A behavioural test (Broken/Unbroken Test (BUT)) based on approaching, haltering, and leading was applied to 100 horses. Physiological and additional behavioural data were also collected, and the horses' status (broken/unbroken) was assessed by the expert who administered the BUT. Each horse's behaviour during the BUT was scored by four trained observers blinded to the horse's history. The BUT score showed excellent inter-observer, intra-observer, and test-retest reliability (all intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) > 0.75). It was also negatively associated with respiratory rate, avoidance distance, and time needed to approach, halter, and lead the horse (p < 0.05 for all). The optimal BUT score cut-off for discrimination between broken and unbroken horses (gold standard: expert judgment) showed 97.8% sensitivity and 97.3% specificity. There was almost perfect agreement between BUT-based and expert classification of horses (ICC = 0.940). These findings confirm the BUT's construct and criterion validity. The BUT could provide officials with a feasible, reliable, and valid tool to identify a horse's broken/unbroken status and, consequently, direct stakeholders towards correct transport procedures.