title: Risk factors in equine transport-related health problems: A survey of the Australian equine industry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transportation can affect equine health and is a potential source of economic loss to the industry.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify journey (duration, vehicle, commercial or noncommercial) and horse (sex, age, breed, use, amateur or professional status) characteristics associated with the development of transport-related health problems in horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional online survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was conducted targeting amateur and professional participants in the Australian equine industry; eligible respondents were required to organise horse movements at least monthly. Respondents provided details of the last case of a transport-related health problem that had affected their horse(s). Associations between type of health problem, journey and horse characteristics were examined with multivariable multinomial regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on 214 responses, health problems were classified as injuries, muscular problems, heat stroke, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia. Respiratory problems were reported most frequently (33.7%), followed by gastrointestinal problems (23.8%) and traumatic injuries (16.3%). The type of health problem was associated with journey duration (P<0.001) and horse breed (P = 0.001). Injuries were more likely to occur on short journeys, whereas more severe illnesses (gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia) were more likely to occur on long journeys. Using Standardbreds as the reference group, Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Warmbloods were more likely to experience a severe illness than an injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-selected participation in the study and the self-reported nature of transport-related problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Horses undertaking journeys of longer than 24 h are at greater risk for the development of severe disease or death. Further studies on long-haul transportation effects are required to safeguard the welfare of horses moved over long distances.
authors: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.|Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.|School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Padalino
authors: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: S L
authors: SL
authors: Raidal
authors: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Hall
authors: Discipline of Biomedical Science, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Knight
authors: DSM Nutritional Products, Animal Nutrition and Health, Columbia, Maryland, USA.|Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Celi
authors: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Jeffcott
authors: School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Muscatello
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006736:Horses; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014186:Transportation; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: horse; illness; journey duration; risk; survey; transportation