October/November 2017 - Page 10

by Wendy elks

the long haul

Her paper, ‘Health problems and risk factors associated with long haul transport of horses in Australia’, published in December 2015, analysed reports on 1650 horses from 180 journeys on the common Sydney-Perth route, and found that long-distance travel can lead to psychological and physical exhaustion, and death.

The trips consisted of four stages: Sydney-Melbourne (10 hours), Melbourne-Adelaide (8.5 hours), Adelaide-Kalgoorlie (24 hours) and Kalgoorlie-Perth (6 hours). After each stage horses were given a 12-hour rest.

Fourty-six cases of transport-related health issues were identified, including four horses that died or were humanely destroyed and another that died two days after travel, though the cause of this horse’s death was unknown. Journeys of longer than 20 hours were found to be associated with severe pathologies, such as colic, pneumonia and death. Of those horses suffering transport-related health issues, just over one in two comprised respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, followed by pyrexia (fever) in almost one fifth, then traumatic injuries (15%), and death (12%). Injuries sustained were often associated with the beginning of trips.

The study indicated the importance of being aware of factors that contribute to horse sickness during travel, and how to guard against ill health occurring. When even a short trip is strange and unsettling for the horse leaving its familiar surroundings, it is not surprising that long-distance travel is a far greater ordeal.

While many of the longest, interstate trips are carried out by professional horse transport companies, a large number of horses travel with their amateur-driver owners in privately owned floats or trucks, who may travel thousands of kilometres following a competition circuit or travelling interstate to attend qualifier events. A long trip is arduous on the horse’s body and mind as it stands still for long periods, balancing itself and experiencing unusual noises, sensations and smells. A horse that has a bad experience during travel or when loading may develop an aversion to being transported. If it ‘plays up’ or loads reluctantly and suffers pressure or punishment in the process, its travel stress will be greater.

‘Transport stress’ was defined by Fraser in 1975 as occurring when a horse ‘is required

A long trip is arduous on the horse’s body and mind yet Australians travel extraordinarily long distances to compete at major events across the country.

Wendy Elks interviews Olympian Sonja Johnson, the Carona Park Show Team and rider/trainer Paul Austin re their travel experiences, and gets the latest research and information from Dr Barbara Paladino, Stephen Morris and towing specialist John Eggenhuisen.

Taking your horse to a local clinic or competition is easily achievable, with the right equipment and some training and experience. Good preparation, such as teaching the horse to load quietly, doing safety and regulation checks on the float and tow vehicle, and always driving with care and attention make floating relatively stress-free.

Long-distance horse transport is a different matter. Research has established that every horse experiences a degree of stress during transportation, no matter how frequently or calmly it travels. Over long distances, the cumulative effects of stress can seriously impact the horse’s health.

Sydney-based equine veterinarian Barbara Paladino’s first-ever study of horses that travel cross-country in one of the harshest continents in the world, estimates the number of individual horse movements per annum in Australia at around two million. Continued...

the long haul

sonja Johnson Paul AustinJohn and Julie eggenhuizen

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The Long Haul Continued ...to make abnormal or extreme adjustments in its behaviour or internal management (physiology) in order to cope with adverse aspects of its environment and management.’ Long-distance road travel can have a significant impact on horse health, depending on the individual’s health prior to travel, its psychological attitude to travel and the quality of management during travel.

Dr Paladino said good-quality tow vehicles, competent horse-handling and driving skills were important factors in reducing the incidence of injuries. “Transportation may be a human-related risk to horses but it may also be a horse-related risk to humans and it is vital that it is managed carefully.”

good practice for long- or short-hauling of horses• The weight of the float and load (horses) must not exceed that

of the towing vehicle. Smaller towing vehicles, e.g., sport utilities, may have the power to ‘pull’ the load but not to stop it, and could end up jack-knifed or in a ditch when the weight of the float pushes them down the road.

• Rubber mats on the floor and the loading ramp provide traction and cushioning during loading, unloading and travel.

• The float should have adequate padding on chest bars, sides and the top rear gate, and ventilation along the sides and in the roof.

• Ropes (preferably not nylon, which burns) and chains should be of optimum length and have quick release snaps.

• Ensure there are working interior lights, for night hauling.

olympian sonja JohnsonHighly successful Australian Olympic eventer Sonja Johnson, based in WA, is an long-distance expert, having completed more than 70 return trips from Perth to the east coast (around 3,950 km each way), and many trips overseas, for competition.“Temperature, temperature, temperature,” is her number-one travel tip. “It’s vital to be familiar with your horse’s normal temperature, so you can monitor it for any changes before, during and after the trip. For instance, Elicit Liaison runs a little hotter than normal: half a degree higher than the average 37.9, so I know to expect that. Regularly checking the horse’s temperature a week or so before you leave, and monitoring it throughout the trip and for a week after you return home is a good way to watch out for underlying health issues.”She recommends having a trusted vet check the horse over, before leaving. “Let them know what you’re doing and ask them to suggest a comprehensive vet kit to take along. If crossing the Nullarbor, keep in mind that there are no vets from Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta: having a well-stocked vet kit on board is essential. Travelling six hours from the farm to Perth for a dressage lesson helps Sonja’s horses grow up quickly in terms of travel. “They get used to change and moving around and think nothing of it. However, long-distance travel is hard work for horses. They need their full feeds, as a full day of travelling is very physical.” She advises having horses on the heavier side before leaving home as they will lose weight during the trip. She includes a probiotic in feeds and syringes electrolytes over the tongue. “I make sure they’ll be good and thirsty before leaving for a long

trip so that even reluctant drinkers will drink up. Damping the hay and using well-soaked beet flakes in the feeds are another way of getting more water into them.”When trucking she uses rugs made of natural materials such as wool and cotton, for breathability. “Ventilation is very important, so if it’s cold I put an extra rug on, rather than close ventilation off.”“It’s also important to keep the blood flowing while they stand still for all those hours. I use cored rubber flooring in the truck, to keep the frog pumping and blood running through the hooves, with shavings over the top for comfort, and to absorb urine.” She prefers nothing on the legs, unless it’s necessary, i.e., sheepskin wraps soaked in water, if heat is an issue.

On the truck, feed and hay are available at all times. When off the truck the horses are fed, hay and feed,

from the ground. “They must get their heads down, once again to get the blood flowing.” She limits taking the horses off unless it’s for a long stop and they have room to move around. “Unless I’m in a secure spot I don’t take them off. Things can happen so quickly…like a mob of camels coming along. It’s best not to take the risk of tying them to the truck near the roadside.”She stops every six to seven hours to take a break and check that all is well, and overnights where the horses can rest in large yards where they can move around. Mundrabilla Station, on the Eyre Highway, is a popular overnight stop-off for this reason. The current recommendation for horses travelling long distance is for overnight rest, or rest off the vehicle, in stables, to be provided after every 12 hours of transport. Sonja feels that 24-hour driving with two drivers, to get somewhere quicker, is hard on the horses and risks compromising their health.Stopping overnight is not just important for the horses. Equal to vehicle and float/truck maintenance, before heading off on a long trip, is driver preparation. A major cause of accidents is fatigue; according to TAC statistics, if a driver falls asleep for just four seconds while travelling at a speed of 100 km/h, the vehicle will have gone 111 metres without a driver in control.

Regularly check the horse’s temperature and ensure ample ventilation.

October/November 2017 - Page 13

John eggenhuisen- tow.ed“Driver maintenance is just as important as vehicle maintenance,” says John Eggenhuisen of Tow.Ed, a company specialising in safe trailering and driving for those who tow caravans and horses. “People spend a lot of time and effort on their horses and forget about themselves, yet driver preparedness is crucial.” Fatigue, and driving at an inappropriate speed for the conditions are the factors accounting for around 60% of road accidents. Though it is not legislated for the driver to stop every two hours, John says it’s advisory. “Fatigue management and dehydration are the two most important aspects of driver maintenance,” John says. “Four hours is a long drive, and while freeway and rural driving may seem easy, freeways are inclined to put you to sleep because there’s little mental stimulus. A difficult drive keeps you more focused…but it’s more mentally tiring.“On a long trip you can lose focus on what you are doing, and dehydration accelerates fatigue. We need half a litre of water an hour, and fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration. The trouble is that when you think you’re all right, you’re not. Taking a break ensures that you are all right.”John advises having the tow vehicle serviced before a long trip. “Checking the flooring of the float or truck, and checking tyre pressures for the tow vehicle and trailer are critical. If tyre pressure is too low the trailer is inclined to sway; if it’s too high, the horse may have a very jolty ride.”

carsten and fiona graetz - carona parkThe Carona Park Team compete at events like the EA Nationals, Sydney and Canberra Royal, and Grand Nationals, as it is important for their Show team to attend major events. “It can take us up to four days of travel to reach Sydney (from WA) so it is important to have the horses trained to tolerate being closed into a small space for periods of time. Before each trip I prepare the horses by increasing their hay intake at least two weeks prior to leaving while decreasing the protein and starch. This is to avoid any issues relating to stress or laminitis. We also

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increase the use of Speedibeet or Maxisoy to help with hydration and usually do some trotting out on the roads to harden their legs.

“We give them MuscleGUARD in the morning, as we put them on the truck, to prevent fatigue and help them recover after standing for hours. They’re also given GastroAID in their feed at night when we stop to keep their digestive systems functioning properly and the usual dose of KelatoLYTE as well to ensure they stay hydrated.

“Every five hours we stop to give the horses the chance to put their heads down to have a drink. We try to find somewhere that they can graze for a little while and walk to stretch their muscles. We have a drinker on board so they have access to water while travelling but while some people provide hay, we don’t do this to avoid the risk of choke.”

stephen McMorris – stephen Jays floatsa load of trouble“Lack of mentoring is one of the worst problems when it comes to floating horses,” says long-time polocrosse competitor, traveller with horses and float designer and manufacturer, Stephen McMorris, of Stephen Jays Floats in Penrith, NSW. Stephen says he sees grave mistakes being made all the time that can so easily lead to tragedy…even while the float isn’t moving.

“People worry too much about their horses and not themselves,” he says. “I commonly see someone getting into a float with a horse that’s going berserk, to try to calm it. They could be killed.”

Lack of know-how regarding towing, configuration of trailers and tow vehicles, and safe horse-handling practices, show sometimes woeful and dangerous skill sets. “Often they are parents who mean well but have no idea what risks they are taking with themselves, their kids and their horses,” he says.

A common mistake is standing behind the tailgate while loading or unloading, where the person could be flattened by the tailgate or the horse if it rushes out.

paul austin- competitor/trainerthe Journey is part of the tripProfessional show rider, trainer and coach Paul Austin does around 30,000 kilometres a year travelling from his home base in Brisbane to Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide royal agricultural shows. His number-one tip is to not make a horse travel alone. “Horses can stress badly without company, and the trip is stressful enough. If I’m taking a horse to a show I take an equine friend along for company; a horse can develop travel sickness or stress founder travelling alone.”Paul makes optimum health a priority for the horse. “If there’s a long trip coming up we put the horses on Dynavyte and Recharge two or three weeks beforehand, to stimulate their appetites and keep them energised and drinking. Many horses have ulcers (often undiagnosed) and the stress of travel can aggravate the condition. We give them an ulcer treatment too, to eliminate unnecessary discomfort and unhappiness in the horse.”Paul prefers to bandage the horses to give some extra support to the joints. “It’s also important to tie them fairly low, so that if they’re eating and need to cough, they can do so. Otherwise they may have a bit of choke and no way to get rid of it. We have a camera in the truck so we can monitor how they are travelling.”“If you’ve ever stood in the back of a float while it’s moving (off-road and without a horse inside it) you’ll know that it’s pretty rough. Australian roads are hard on vehicles and the horses, so it’s important to pay attention to maintenance, comfort and good health.“I always have the truck serviced before a long trip. And always have the wheel-bearings checked…they can snap and you lose a wheel, then you’re held up while it gets fixed.”

The Long Haul Continued...

Left: If you want to compete at the major shows then you have to be prepared to travel. Right: Ensure the horse is comfortable and safe.

October/November 2017 - Page 15

Paul echoes the importance of ventilation, at least near the horse’s nose, if it’s cold.

“Many people give their horse a lot of room in a float, thinking they are better off being able to move around, but I believe a snug compartment is more relaxing for the horse. It’s hard enough standing and balancing all that time; they need to be able to lean and rest against something.

“Freeways are easier to travel on but there are less suitable stopping places than on country roads. We plan our trip ahead and factor in safe stops where we can take the horses off for at least half an hour to an hour. Someone puts ice boots on them to eliminate any effects from concussion, and feeds them (on the ground), and someone else cleans up the truck and checks everything. Then we have a relaxing lunch…although I might sleep for 45 minutes, so I can drive on nice and refreshed. I’m driving a 19-metre semi, so I need to be on the ball.”

Paul has travelling down to a fine art and makes it as pleasant as possible for everyone. “We listen to bands, and research the area we’re travelling through to entertain ourselves. Google is great!

“A lot of people want to take shortcuts -- that’s how we live life these days. But you want to make the trip as nice as possible. The extra trouble and expense is worth it. I often take clients’ horses and they must turn up looking and feeling their best.”

dietary challengesTemperature is often higher inside a float or truck, and combined with stress or excitement, the risk of dehydration is high. Horses usually drink around 30 times a day; while away, water should generally be offered every few hours, more frequently if the weather is hot and/or humid.

Some horses are reluctant to drink when away from home. Excitement,

stress, and water that smells and/or tastes different can discourage a horse from drinking, increasing the

risk of dehydration. Taking water from home and perhaps adding a small amount of flavouring that the horse knows and likes may encourage it to drink. Suggested additives are molasses, apple or pear juice, apple cider vinegar or an electrolyte. Minimal sweet flavouring should be used, however, as ingesting sugar exacerbates dehydration.

BYO plenty of feed, rather than running out or planning to buy locally.

Bagging up feeds in advance saves work on the road and at the venue,

while ensuring that the horse is getting its normal and familiar ration.

Bringing sufficient pre-mixed servings rather than full bags of ingredients saves on weight-load.If moving a horse permanently or long-term, take enough feed for at least a week so that any fodder changes can be made gradually. Healthy treats such as organic carrots may encourage eating and help the horse settle in.The trust a horse puts in its owner by obediently loading onto a float or truck is something to protect. Doing everything you can to make sure it remains safe, happy and well is the least the owner can do in return.