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Travelling is a known cause of stress in the horse, but by careful management there is a lot that can to minimise it.
There are certain factors to consider regarding long distance transport. The stress of which can result in:
Suppression of the body's natural immune system.
Impaired clearance of dust, bacteria, and any foreign substance from the respiratory system.
Food refusal and or water refusal
Weight loss
Occasionally there can be major complications associated with long distance transport. These include:
Pleuropneumonia, more commonly known as shipping or transit fever. This is a bacterial infection of both the lungs and the space that surrounds the lungs.
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Possible cause for this:
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If a horse is tied for a long period of time – he is unable to get his head down to clear the airways. (In order to reduce problems associated with this, we ensure that horses are allowed to get their heads down fully during transit – thus allowing airways to clear. We also ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the lorry – extremely important).
Decreased water intake causing dehydration. Some horses refuse to drink whilst travelling or dislike strange water. (We closely monitor fluid intake throughout the journey). If your horse is a fussy drinker, please inform us beforehand, as it can help if we carry a supply of the water that he is used to.
Colic: When horses become dehydrated, the food that is in their digestive tracts also becomes dried out. This is a very big risk factor for impaction colic. This is why it is advisable to feed soaked hay.
What can be done to avoid these problems?
Before travelling a long distance:
Have your vet give your horse a thorough physical examination during the week prior to travel.
Do not travel horse if he has had a a cold or influenza, during the 4 weeks preceding planned trip. Respiratory disease will increase the risk of your horse developing shipping fever.
A bran mash and a few succulents, such as apples and carrots, prior to travel
Do not offer grain feed for a few hours preceding transport
Accustom your horse to eating soaked hay during the two weeks prior to the trip. Eating soaked hay for one day prior to travel and during travel will provide your horse with much needed water. This will help avoid both dehydration and colic.
If possible make sure that your horse has travelled – even very short distances. Research shows that horses that have never been transported will display much higher levels of stress.
During Transit
Allow for frequent stops. (We stop horses every 4 hours during normal weather conditions. We carry large quantities of water on board. Please allow us time to take these rest breaks. It is beneficial to your horse in the long run.)
When horse arrives at destination:
Feed clean (preferably) soaked hay from ground level
Offer plentiful supply of fresh water – preferably not automated drinker, as it is then not possible to monitor intake.
Do not give grain feed – possibly offer moist bran mash.
Depending on length of time in transit, allow horse a few days to rest and recover. Allow good access to turn out to allow his muscles and digestive functions to return to normal.
Always after long distance transport monitor horse for:
Signs of depression, refusal of food or water
An abnormal respiratory rate
Fever, which may indicate either overheating or infection. You should take the temperature of your horse after long-distance transport, once it's settled down in the new stable. Check temperature in the morning for a few days. Any temperature greater than 101.5°F is above normal – call a vet.
Monitor droppings.
If a horse develops shipping fever he will need to be treated with antibiotics. |