A review: Today's practices about the fitness for travel on land of horses toward the slaughterhouse

Vermeulen, Liesbeth; Beirendonck, Sanne Van; Thielen, Jos Van; Driessen, Bert

doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2018.05.006

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…After unloading, some horses were showing clinical problems (i.e., laminitis, neurological problems, blindness) which were judged preexisting since these severe and chronic health issues could not have been developed over 24 h, and some of the injuries could therefore have been also preexisting. It is worth highlighting that one-eye blindness is not considered among the unfitness requirements in the present regulations (Regulation EC 1/2005 [ 16 ]), and that requirements for unfitness are not unanimous among codes and regulations [ 20 ]. Overall, considering that the examined journeys were all approved by competent authorities, our findings suggest that the evaluation of the fitness for transport is still an area of concern and that many horses with pre-existing conditions are transported, leading to worse welfare on arrival [ 3 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Worldwide, journey conditions are regulated by specific codes, such as “European Regulation 1/2005” [ 16 ], “Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines” [ 17 ], “Code of practice for the care and handling of Equines” [ 18 ], “Code of welfare: Transport within New Zealand” [ 19 ]. However, the requirements of these different regulations do not always match, and some criteria remain open to interpretation or have been considered inappropriate [ 20 ]. For example, European Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005 sets a minimum space allowance of 1.75 m 2 per horse, even if adult horses may have different sizes and shapes [ 2 , 12 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Journeys, Journey Conditions, and Welfare Assessment of Broken (Handled) Horses on Arrival at Italian Slaughterhouses

Felici

Costa

Zappaterra

et al. 2022

Animals

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During horse transportation, the journey conditions are considered a welfare risk. This study aimed to document journeys, journey conditions, and welfare status of handled horses on arrival at two different slaughterhouses in Northern and Southern Italy, to find possible associations between journey conditions and welfare problems. The welfare status of 613 draft-breed and light-breed horses from 32 different journeys was evaluated on arrival at the slaughterhouses with a standardized protocol, using animal-based (ABMs) and environmental-based (EBMs) measures. The drivers’ skills and vehicle characteristics were found to be mostly compliant with EC 1/2005. The horses traveled in single bays, 90° to the direction of travel for an average journey duration of 26.5 ± 14 h. On arrival at the slaughterhouses, the horses were unloaded by handlers, via halter and rope. The prevalence of reluctance to unload, injuries, nasal, and lacrimal discharge was 22.2%, 24.6%, 11.6%, and 10%, respectively. Journey duration, unloading duration, vehicle changes, long stops, handlers/drivers’ skills, temperature, season, and horse individual characteristics were associated with horses’ welfare and health status (all p < 0.05). Our study confirms the hypothesis that appropriate journey conditions are of crucial importance to safeguard the welfare of broken/handled horses transported over long distances for slaughter.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Journeys, Journey Conditions, and Welfare Assessment of Broken (Handled) Horses on Arrival at Italian Slaughterhouses

Felici

Costa

Zappaterra

et al. 2022

Animals

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“…Ensuring that horses are fit before transport is highly important for the welfare of the horses during the loading, transit, unloading and post journey stages. In addition, a physically fit horse is more capable of handling stress than an unfit horse (Vermeulen, 2019). Transport associated exacerbation of infectious diseases (either through contact with unfamiliar pathogens and/or immunological impairment due to transport‐associated stressors) is common in horses (Dalin et al., 1993; Stull and Rodiek, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of equidae during transport

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2022

EFS2

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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.

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“…In the same year, 389,153 horses were slaughtered in South America [2]. However, to this day, the circumstances in which horses are transported give rise to discussion [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Horse Transport to Three South American Horse Slaughterhouses: A Descriptive Study

Nivelle

Vermeulen²,

Beirendonck

et al. 2020

Animals

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Between November 2016 and October 2017, 23 horse transports from 18 collection points to two slaughterhouses in Argentina and one in Uruguay were monitored. The goal of this study was to characterize the current practices in commercial horse transports and to detect potential threats to horse welfare. A total of 596 horses were transported over an average distance of 295 ± 250 km. Average transport duration was 294 ± 153 min. The infrastructure did not always promote smooth loading, but the amount of horses that refused to enter the trailers was limited. In each loading space, a camera was mounted to observe horse behaviour during the journey. Ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) were recorded every five minutes in each loading space. In 14 of the 23 transports, the maximum temperature rose above 25 °C and the average temperature was over 25 °C during six transports. The average temperature humidity index (THI) exceeded 72 during six transports. The average stocking density was 1.40 ± 0.33 m2 per horse, or 308 ± 53 kg/m2. The degree of aggression differed between the front and rear loading space. Stocking density, environmental parameters, trailer characteristics, and transport duration and distance did not influence aggressiveness.

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A review: Today's practices about the fitness for travel on land of horses toward the slaughterhouse

Cited by 7 publications

References 34 publications

Journeys, Journey Conditions, and Welfare Assessment of Broken (Handled) Horses on Arrival at Italian Slaughterhouses

Journeys, Journey Conditions, and Welfare Assessment of Broken (Handled) Horses on Arrival at Italian Slaughterhouses

Welfare of equidae during transport

Horse Transport to Three South American Horse Slaughterhouses: A Descriptive Study

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