The Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, 425 Werombi Road, Camden 2570, NSW, Australia.
Department of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Bari, Bari 70100, Italy.
Animals (Basel). 2015 Dec 10;5(4):1296-310. doi: 10.3390/ani5040412.
Equine transportation is associated with a variety of serious health disorders causing economic losses. However; statistics on horse transport are limited and epidemiological data on transport related diseases are available only for horses transported to abattoirs for slaughter. This study analysed reports of transport related health problems identified by drivers and horse owners for 180 journeys of an Australian horse transport company transporting horses between Perth and Sydney (~4000 km) in 2013-2015. Records showed that 97.2% (1604/1650) of the horses arrived at their destination with no clinical signs of disease or injury. Based on the veterinary reports of the affected horses; the most common issues were respiratory problems (27%); gastrointestinal problems (27%); pyrexia (19%); traumatic injuries (15%); and death (12%). Journey duration and season had a significant effect on the distribution of transport related issues ( p < 0.05); with a marked increase of the proportion of the most severe problems ( i.e. , gastrointestinal; respiratory problems and death) in spring and after 20 h in transit. Although not statistically significant; elevated disease rate predictions were seen for stallions/colts; horses aged over 10 years; and Thoroughbreds. Overall; the data demonstrate that long haul transportation is a risk for horse health and welfare and requires appropriate management to minimize transport stress.
马的运输与多种严重的健康问题有关，这些问题会造成经济损失。然而，有关马匹运输的统计数据有限，只有关于运往屠宰场屠宰的运输相关疾病的流行病学数据。本研究分析了澳大利亚一家马运输公司在 2013 年至 2015 年间，为从珀斯到悉尼（约 4000 公里）的 180 次运输任务中，由司机和马主报告的与运输相关的健康问题报告。记录显示，97.2%（1604/1650）的马匹到达目的地时没有临床疾病或损伤迹象。根据受影响马匹的兽医报告，最常见的问题是呼吸道问题（27%）；胃肠道问题（27%）；发热（19%）；创伤性损伤（15%）；和死亡（12%）。旅程持续时间和季节对运输相关问题的分布有显著影响（p<0.05）；在春季和运输 20 小时后，最严重问题（即胃肠道、呼吸道问题和死亡）的比例显著增加。尽管没有统计学意义，但种马/ colt、10 岁以上的马和纯血马的疾病发生率预测有所升高。总的来说，这些数据表明长途运输对马的健康和福利是一种风险，需要进行适当的管理，以最大限度地减少运输压力。
