Summary
Enormous numbers of horses are transported locally,
nationally and internationally every year. National legislation
and international guidelines set standards for the health and welfare
of animals during transport. As a consequence, equine clinicians
have major responsibilities in safeguarding the horse industry against
the spread of disease and in being aware of the problems inherent
in horse transport. The authors explore road, sea and air transport
and their effect on horses. Various types of road transport are
available and there are various sources of impact on horses. These
include loading, the effect of confinement and isolation, restraint
within vehicles, motion of vehicles, environmental challenges within
vehicles, food and water intake, body posture during transport and
orientation within the vehicle. Air transport has prominence and
an account is given of the special management required for horses
during air transport over long distances. Finally, the effects of
transport on illness and performance are outlined. Shipping fever
is discussed.
Keywords
Air
transport, Animal, Disease, Horse, Road transport, Transportation,
Welfare.
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