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

Abstract

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.

GLAD Scale for Ranking Welfare of Horses on Arrival after Transport to Slaughterhouses

“…These results indicate that the majority of horses were in a generally good state, did not need any veterinary attention, and could be slaughtered immediately or shortly after arrival. This supports previous studies undertaken using these types of datasets with horses [28,29], namely that they arrived in overall good health and welfare conditions. Nonetheless, our results are in contrast with what was reported by Marlin et al [36], where 37% of horses that arrived at the slaughterhouse after a long-distance journey were deemed unfit for transport.…”

“…Even though transport is one of the most critical phases for horse welfare [26], there is still no official and validated method to assess the overall welfare of traveling horses [3]. One tool to assess horse welfare on arrival was proposed by Messori, and it was recently modified and applied [27][28][29]. This existing tool is based on checklists where physical, behavioral, and environmental measures are taken from the animals and the vehicles [27][28][29].…”

“…One tool to assess horse welfare on arrival was proposed by Messori, and it was recently modified and applied [27][28][29]. This existing tool is based on checklists where physical, behavioral, and environmental measures are taken from the animals and the vehicles [27][28][29]. The findings of these checklists have been useful to identify several hazards for specific transportrelated welfare issues, such as injuries and respiratory disorders, using statistical regression models [28,29].…”

“…This existing tool is based on checklists where physical, behavioral, and environmental measures are taken from the animals and the vehicles [27][28][29]. The findings of these checklists have been useful to identify several hazards for specific transportrelated welfare issues, such as injuries and respiratory disorders, using statistical regression models [28,29]. Although considered as a first step to improve transport related-welfare conditions, these checklists can be time consuming and do not give an overall welfare index for the horse.…”

Short Road Transport and Slaughter Stress Affects the Expression Profile of Serotonin Receptors, Adrenocortical, and Hematochemical Responses in Horses

“…Transport is a stressful routine procedure, representing a pivotal source of physical and psychological stimuli to animals’ homeostasis [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis response and blood parameters represent the most reliable system used to investigate stressful conditions [ 5 ], immune function, and energy storage according to the expenditure in the organism; the pathway of this axis results in the synthesis of cortisol [ 6 ].…”