travel sickness in horses

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People, horses and dogs, in that order, are the three species most likely to travel long distances, both nationally and internationally. Coupled with meeting and mixing with large numbers of the population, this provides ideal conditions for the spread of infectious diseases. For example, a single horse with a respiratory infection could spread the infection […]

Equine travel: minimising the risk of illness and disease spread

Equine OV Karen Coumbe explains the importance of strict disease control and surveillance in the movement of horses for events – both for the welfare of the individual animal and the prevention of disease spread to other horses.

People, horses and dogs, in that order, are the three species most likely to travel long distances, both nationally and internationally. Coupled with meeting and mixing with large numbers of the population, this provides ideal conditions for the spread of infectious diseases. For example, a single horse with a respiratory infection could spread the infection to many other susceptible horses at a show or event. If these horses then carry the infection home, it can spread yet further.

The ease and rapidity by which any infection can spread will depend on many variables, including the nature of the infectious agent, the way the infection spreads, the level of immunity among horses that are exposed to the infectious agent and environmental conditions. When shipping horses, a clear understanding of the importance of biosecurity is vital for all involved.

Currently in the UK there is a limited number of contagious equine diseases we need to be aware of and try to control. There exists the ever-present threat of new or exotic diseases, which could prove devastating, especially for horses that have not previously been exposed. There is always a huge focus on the risk of exposure to such diseases, but the endemic diseases, particularly respiratory infections, are a more common threat for our equine population. These include the equine influenza virus, equine herpes virus and strangles. The characteristics of these diseases are very different, so preventative strategies should be planned accordingly.

Equine influenza is an economically important cause of acute respiratory disease in the horse. It is highly infectious because large amounts of virus are sneezed and sprayed from an infected horse as it coughs, unpleasantly similar to a person with a bad cold. Widespread vaccination in the UK has reduced the incidence and severity of equine flu outbreaks, but they still occur. These can be controlled by rapid diagnosis, which is effectively assisted by the Animal Health Trust’s scheme, whereby samples can be sent into their lab free of charge by the vet in practice and text alerts are then sent out to equine vets nationwide. This is a useful surveillance measure.

Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection that is very different to the equine influenza virus. It is challenging because carrier animals may show no clinical signs but still spread the disease. This and other subclinical diseases remain a huge challenge for international trade. In 88 percent of reported events studied by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE; 2017), the infected horses did not show signs of clinical disease at the time of import.

Equine herpes virus is another very common infectious disease in horses. There are a number of different types of equine herpes viruses, but types 1 and 4 are the most important. Infection by equine herpes virus-4 usually produces respiratory disease, whereas type 1 can result in respiratory disease, abortion, the birth of sick foals and neurological disease. Recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus-1 neurological disease have highlighted the importance of this infection. When large transient horse populations gather for events, there is the potential for serious and widespread repercussions when the animals move elsewhere.

This is what happened at a 2011 American Cutting Horse event in Utah, USA. It is thought that exposure to a single horse shedding EHV1 at this event resulted in more than 165 horses developing clinical disease and, sadly, at least 13 horses died as a result. The outbreak spread to at least 10 US states, as well as parts of Canada, much to the huge consternation of show organisers worldwide. The one beneficial result of this has been a better general understanding of biosecurity with useful guidance becoming widely available.

Transportation is a necessary evil as far as horses are concerned. There are multiple factors to consider beyond biosecurity and the associated infectious disease risks. The Equine Vet Journal (Padalino et al., 2017) has recently published the results of an online survey that provides information on the risk factors for illness and injury associated with equine transportation. Of the 797 responses to the survey from both amateur and professional equestrians in Australia, all of whom transported horses at least once a month, there were 214 cases of a transport-related health problem over the previous 2 years.

Ten horses died during transit (two were found dead and the remaining eight were euthanised due to fractures). An additional 15 horses were euthanised within 1 week of the journey, seven within 24 hours. Journey duration and breed of horse were associated with transport-related health problems. Thoroughbreds, Arab and warmblood horses were more likely to develop illness than be injured during transportation when compared to Standardbreds. Illnesses, which included gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and occasionally resulted in death and euthanasia, were significantly associated with longer journey times. Respiratory disease was the most common problem. Muscular problems were more likely on an intermediate length journey than a short one.

Journey duration was found to have no influence on the incidence of heat stroke. Injuries tended to occur on shorter journeys. This is likely to be associated with stress-induced behavioural problems or movement within the vehicle during the early part of the journey. Trailers and non-commercial transporters were more commonly used for shorter journeys. The overall conclusion was that transport-related health problems are significantly associated with longer journey times, with illness more likely on journeys over 24 hours’ duration and injuries more common on short journeys.

This study confirmed what has been shown previously – that respiratory disease is a significant issue, often labelled as the notorious ‘shipping fever’, to which horses are particularly susceptible for several reasons. If a horse’s head cannot be lowered during transport, normal so-called ‘postural drainage’ of material from the respiratory tract is prevented; this can have severe consequences for respiratory health due to colonisation of the lower airways with bacteria and the development of an inflammatory response. Many cars now have air conditioning, but it is far less common in horse transport. Poor lorry ventilation is detrimental to a horse’s airways and is made worse by the high stocking densities often seen in multi-horse transporters. Higher rates of the inhalation of potentially dangerous bacteria may occur in hot and humid conditions – due to an increase in the horse’s respiratory rate and depth associated with thermoregulation. Hot and humid conditions during transport may also lead to horses inhaling greater quantities of airborne moulds, which may trigger attacks of recurrent airway obstruction in susceptible animals.

Horses tend to drink and eat less during transport, sometimes causing discomfort and dehydration. Transportation over greater distances has been associated with weight loss, which increases with journey distance, in part due to dehydration. This dehydration can reduce the rate at which mucus is cleared from the airways, thus inhibiting one of the lungs’ major defence mechanisms against infections, exacerbating the risk of respiratory disease. In addition, the stress response associated with transport causes a rise in blood cortisol concentration, which has immunosuppressive effects that impede the horse’s ability to fight infections.

When reflecting on horse welfare and travel, remember how tiring transport is for horses. Research has shown that the effort required to maintain balance during a 300km road trip had the same impact on muscles as a 1.5km canter and caused a comparable increase in serum muscle enzymes. The effort required is even more on a stop/start journey with an inexperienced driver. Consequently, any opportunity to allow a horse a rest break to stretch their head and neck down is wise, ideally by unloading if safety permits, especially when the lorry design prevents this onboard (as with some angled designs of lorries and wagons with inbuilt tack lockers). This is recommended as a must every 4 hours. Equally, horses deserve at least a 3-hour recovery period after any lengthy journey. It is wrong to expect a horse to compete immediately after travelling.

In the event of an outbreak, traceability is important in controlling infection. Identifying in-contacts can be important to ensure appropriate monitoring and precautions. Horse travel is a justification for accurate horse identification so that a specific horse can be identified or traced.

In addition to correct identification, it is essential that the horses are fit to travel. The clinical examination prior to departure may seem routine, but it is crucial. The motto must be “sick horse setting off, sicker horse on arrival” – something that is best avoided.

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How to Avoid Travel Sickness in Horses

Travel sickness, or pleuropneumonia, is a dangerous health risk to your horse when travelling over long distances. If you’re hitting the road this Summer, it’s critical that you understand what travel sickness is and how it can be avoided.  

Pleuropneumonia, also known as travel sickness or shipping fever, was first encountered in the early 20th Century when horses were transported during the Boer and First World Wars. Today, horses are routinely transported via road, sea and air over long distances.

However, the risks of travel sickness remain, even when travelling shorter distances this show season if not carefully avoided. So, let’s first understand what causes travel sickness.

In a normal, healthy horse, the upper respiratory tract houses important defence mechanisms that protect against bacteria entering the lower airways. If not prevented, bacteria may colonise the upper respiratory tract, slowing the clearance of mucus and debris from the lungs.

Typically, when travelling in a horse float, your horse’s head is elevated above the normal standing position for an extended period of time, which puts them at risk of travel sickness, particularly on journeys that are longer than six hours.

The simplest and most effective way to avoid travel sickness is by allowing your horse to move their head freely during transit. However, there are a number of other easy actions you can take to prevent it, including:

• Place feed, hay and water at a safe, low height when in transit
• Offer hay and water to your horse during rest stops every 2-3 hours
• Soak hay for 5-10 minutes prior to hanging to reduce harmful dust
• Restrict strenuous exercise and other forms of stress following long trips
• Give your horse plenty of lead rope, so they can lower their head easily
• Keep your horse hydrated during and following transport

Also, be sure to take your horse’s rectal temperature twice daily for two days before a long trip and twice daily for one week afterwards, as one of the first signs of travel sickness is an increase in temperature. You should also be familiar with your horse’s normal vital signs .  

The founder of Exclusively Equine Veterinary Services, Louise is driven to support horses in their recovery from injury or illness. A graduate of the University of Queensland, with international equin...

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Shipping Fever in Horses: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

• Shipping Fever

Risk Factors

Shipping fever is a lower respiratory tract infection seen in horses transported over long distances or experiencing unusual or stressful events. [1]

Known causes of shipping fever include prolonged periods of head elevation, strenuous exercise , anesthesia or complications from a viral illness. [2]

These events increase the amount of debris aspirated by the horse and inhibit the horse’s ability to clear debris from the lungs. Stress also compromises the immune system, making horses susceptible to a viral respiratory infection .

Without prompt medical intervention, shipping fever can develop into pleuropneumonia , which is a dangerous form of equine pneumonia . It is caused by fluid build-up in the lungs and pleural cavity, which is the space between the lungs and chest wall.

Early recognition and treatment of shipping fever are key to a good prognosis. If you are planning on shipping or travelling with your horse , preventative steps can support the immune system and reduce the chance of infection.

Shipping Fever in Horses

Shipping fever is a transport-associated syndrome seen in horses and other livestock animals, causing pyrexia (fever) and other respiratory symptoms. [3]

The stress of travel, combined with exposure to unfamiliar pathogens, can cause various symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Shipping fever is characterized by the presence of bacteria and other irritants (i.e. hay particles, dust, chemicals) in the lower airway. Longer distances and travel times carry a higher risk of lower airway infection. [3]

Most shipping fever cases present with a general systemic inflammatory response . [4] Signs of infection usually appear within 1-3 days following shipment or arrival at destination and can worsen quickly.

Between 9 – 12% of horses transported for distances between 1,000 – 1,300 km experience shipping fever. [3]

The terms shipping fever and pleuropneumonia are often used interchangeably. However, pleuropneumonia is technically a consequence of severe shipping fever.

Cause & Pathology

Long-distance travel (or other sudden changes in route) can cause significant stress for the horse , with eleveated levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

High cortisol levels affect the body’s ability to fight off infection, in part by reducing neutrophil counts in the blood. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell or immune cell that help the body fight infections.

As a result, pulmonary defence mechanisms can become overwhelmed, allowing infection to develop in the lungs. [5] Pneumonia or lung abscesses can develop and extend into the pleural cavity (the fluid-filled space surrounding the lungs). [6]

Shipping fever infection is often polymicrobial or caused by many different bacteria, which may be resistant to certain antibiotics. Infection can worsen quickly, making some cases difficult to treat.

The most common aerobic organisms that cause infection in horses are Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus , Escherichia coli , Actinobacillus and Pasteurella . [4] [7]

Common anaerobic organisms include Bacteroides , Clostridium , Peptostreptococcus and Fusobacterium .

Clinical Signs

Before travelling with your horse, ensure that you are able to identify the signs and symptoms of shipping fever . Early detection is important to prevent serious infection.

The following signs indicate shipping fever in the horse: [4] [7] [8]

• Nasal discharge
• Thoracic (chest) pain
• Elevated body temperature (pyrexia)
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Abducted elbows
• Loss of appetite
• Reluctance to drink
• Reluctance to move

Many cases of shipping fever do not present with respiratory signs. Severe pain can inhibit the horse’s ability to cough.

Secondary conditions may develop in advanced cases of shipping fever. These include pulmonary abscessation, colitis and laminitis . [9]

While any horse can develop shipping fever, competition horses and racehorses have a higher risk due to frequent travel and time spent at high-risk areas (i.e. racetracks and competition grounds). [4] [10]

Competition horses are also more likely to come into close contact with horses from different origins, increasing their potential exposure to pathogens. [3]

The horses most affected by shipping are athletic and under five years old . [7]

Transportation & Head Position

Head positioning during transport is considered the most important risk factor for developing shipping fever. [11]

Horses that are cross-tied with their heads raised for extended periods (12-24 hours) may be predisposed to shipping fever. [11]

Cilia are finger-like projections in the trachea, responsible for moving inhaled debris and bacteria away from the lungs. [12]

Prolonged upward fixation of the head allows for the accumulation of bacteria and inflammatory cells in the lower respiratory tract, as the cilia cannot effectively remove debris. Consequently, foreign particles cannot easily move out of the trachea. [12]

Strenuous Exercise

Strenuous exercise can contribute to lower respiratory illness by increasing the rate and depth of aspirated debris . [11] Horses usually develop some lower airway contamination following a bout of exercise.

Intense exercise can also increase the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which impairs the function of pulmonary alveolar macrophages. These immune cells are responsible for finding and removing bacteria and debris from the lungs. [11]

For this reason, strenuous bouts of exercise can reduce the horse’s immune response and increase susceptibility to illness. If a horse is exercised soon after travelling, immune protection of the respiratory tract is further diminished. [11]

Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), commonly seen in Thoroughbred or Standardbred racehorses, creates an ideal environment for bacterial proliferation and infection. [7] [13]

Management practices can help to prevent shipping fever in travelling horses by supporting respiratory function and the immune system.

Travel is inherently stressful for horses, which can suppress the immune system. You can reduce your horse’s stress by making several stops when travelling long distances to allow the horse to rest, eat, drink and stretch. [11] [15]

Horses shipped over long distances should be allowed to lower their head to the ground several times throughout the trip. [12] Lowering the head and stretching the neck promotes drainage and expulsion of foreign particles from the airways.

Ensure adequate ventilation and minimize dust on the trailer , boat or plane. Poor ventilation can lead to irritation of the respiratory tract and increase the risk of infection.

When transporting your horse, monitor their vital signs so you can quickly detect illness. Elevated body temperature in a travelling horse often indicates shipping fever.

According to the AAEP, a temperature above 101.5 o F / 38.6 o C is cause for concern. Exercise can also temporarily increase body temperature but it should return to normal within 90 minutes. [16]

Sick or recovering horses should never travel except to receive medical treatment. Their immune system is already weakened, making them susceptible to infection. [12]

Vaccinations

All horses that are travelling or being shipped should be vaccinated against common respiratory viruses . Vaccinating horses against influenza can prevent the development of secondary infections, such as shipping fever.

Consult with your veterinarian to learn which vaccines are recommended for your horse. Horses travelling to competitions or racetracks are usually required to be vaccinated for equine herpesvirus 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4). [10]

Antibiotics

Administering preventative antibiotics to horses before travel is not recommended, as not all cases of pneumonia are bacterial.

Unnecessary use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance in horses, making it more difficult to treat bacterial illnesses. [12]

Nutritional Immune Support

The best way to support your horse’s immune health is to feed a balanced diet that provides adequate levels of vitamins and minerals and amino acids.

Some of the vitamins and minerals that are essential for the immune system include: [17]

• Zinc : a trace mineral that is involved in the function of immune signalling molecules known as cytokines.
• Selenium : an antioxidant trace mineral that is required for immune defence against infection and disease.
• B-vitamins : help to maintain a healthy nervous system and regulate the body’s stress response.
• Vitamin E : an important fat-soluble antioxidant that plays a role in immune function

You can ensure that your horse’s nutritional requirements are met by feeding a comprehensive vitamin and mineral supplement, such as Mad Barn’s Omneity .

Omneity – Premix

• 100% organic trace minerals
• Complete B-vitamin fortification
• Optimal nutrition balance
• Our best-selling equine vitamin

Amino acids are also critical for supporting immune function. Besides being components of proteins, several amino acids (particularly arginine and glutamine ) have important roles in the function of immune cells. [18] Consult with an equine nutritionist to ensure protein and amino acid supply is adequate in your horse’s diet.

Respiratory Support

Some nutritional supplements have been studied for their effects on respiratory health in horses. These supplements may not prevent shipping fever when transporting a horse, but they can support the horse’s lung function to reduce the risk of respiratory issues.

Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is a rich source of vitamins, antioxidants, proteins, fatty acids and minerals. It has been shown to support respiratory function in horses due to its anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.

It has been reported that spirulina reduced respiratory symptoms , including coughing, sneezing and headshaking in horses with recurrent respiratory issues. The horses also had better exercise performance, improved race times, and better respiratory recovery after moderate exercise. [20]

• Supports immune function
• Used in horses with allergies
• Supports metabolic health
• Rich in vitamins & protein

Mad Barn’s W-3 Oil is fat supplement that contains high levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA and Vitamin E .

Omega-3’s are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are recognized for their health-boosting effects in horses. In addition to supporting immune function and normal stress responses, they also help maintain respiratory health.

In one study, two months of DHA supplementation improved clinical scores of respiratory dysfunction by 60%. This resulted in less coughing and inflammation, as well as improved lung function in horses with recurrent breathing issues. [21]

• Promotes joint comfort
• Helps to fight inflammation
• Skin & coat condition
• Palatable source of Omega-3's

Horses travelling to competition are also at high risk of gastric ulcers and other gut issues. [19]

When horses are trailered, they often experience stress, changes to their normal feeding routine , reduced access to forage and water, and changes to their environment and social grouping. All of these are risk factors for the development of gastric ulcers.

Ulcers can further compromise the immune system as toxins and pathogens are able to penetrate the gastrointestinal barrier, triggering inflammation and an immune response.

Mad Barn’s Visceral+ is a pelleted gut health supplement recommended by veterinarians for horses travelling to the competition. Visceral+ is formulated to maintain gastric and hindgut health and support the horse’s immune system.

• Our best-selling supplement
• Maintain stomach & hindgut health
• Supports the immune system
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Shipping fever can be diagnosed based on health history, clinical signs and diagnostic testing. Horses that have travelled long distances, whether by air, sea, rail or road, should be carefully monitored for several days following arrival at their destination.

Rectal temperatures should be taken twice a day for three days. If a fever is present, contact a veterinarian immediately. [8]

The veterinarian will ask for the horse’s travel history and then examine the horse for nasal discharge, foul-smelling breath, chest pain and coughing. These are signs of bacterial infection of the lungs.

Differential Diagnosis

The clinical signs of shipping fever can be confused with other respiratory infections or conditions such as colic , laminitis or exertional rhabdomyolysis . [4] A veterinarian will conduct a full clinical examination of the body to rule out abdominal pain that can be indicative of other conditions.

Blood may be collected from horses with suspected shipping fever for hematological evaluation.

If the horse has an acute infection , the following clinicopathological abnormalities can be expected on the blood test: [4] [13]

• Increased neutrophil count (leukocytosis)
• Elevated serum amyloid A (SAA)
• Elevated fibrinogen (hyperfibrinogenemia)
• Mild to moderate decrease in packed cell volume (PCV)
• Increased total plasma protein

Rarely is a diagnosis of shipping fever made based on blood test results. Early intervention is crucial, and waiting for results before treatment is not feasible.

However, bloodwork may be warranted before travelling with your horse to look for signs of inflammation or infection. [12]

Ultrasonography & Radiography

These diagnostic imaging techniques can provide important information about your horse’s pleura and pleural cavity and identify any abnormalities. [4] [13]

Ultrasonography can assess the character of the fluid in the lungs (including the presence of gas echoes). Ultrasound can also examine the surface of the lungs and identify abscesses.

Radiography can be used to detect disease or deep abscesses in the interstitial lining of the lung. These deep lesions cannot be identified with ultrasound. [4]

Thoracocentesis (Pleurocentesis)

Horses with shipping fever often have a build-up of fluid around the lungs, otherwise known as pleural effusion.

In order to diagnose shipping fever and slowly drain excess fluid from the pleural space, a minimally invasive and relatively inexpensive procedure called thoracocentesis is conducted.

Following an ultrasound to locate the appropriate site, an incision is made through the skin and intercostal muscle. A chest tube is placed into the pleural space to obtain a fluid sample for diagnosis or to drain the fluid for treatment. [22]

In some cases of shipping fever, bilateral thoracentesis is needed to remove fluid around both of the horse’s lungs.

A respiratory tract endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure in which an endoscope – a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end – is passed into the respiratory tract for visual inspection.

Endoscopy is often performed to allow the clinician to examine the condition of the airways and identify different pathogens that could be causing the infection. [4] A fluid sample can be retrieved through endoscopy and submitted for laboratory analysis.

This diagnostic method allows the clinician to determine whether aerobic or anaerobic bacteria (or a mixture of both) are causing infection. A treatment plan can then be tailored to the individual horse.

Early treatment is essential when it comes to shipping fever in horses. [12] Rapid resolution is possible if treatment begins within 48 hours of the initial onset of infection.

However, anaerobic bacteria can multiply quickly, leading to severe infection and worsening symptoms. If treatment begins after 48 hours, a poor response can be expected.

Shipping fever-affected horses may develop sepsis due to severe bacterial infection . This is a medical emergency, and aggressive treatment is needed. [2]

Antimicrobial Drugs

Antimicrobials are administered to combat the wide spectrum of microorganisms that cause shipping fever. [4] Gram-positive or most other anaerobic bacteria are treated with a wide-range antibiotic , such as penicillin.

Penicillin and other antibiotics may be paired with an aminoglycoside (gentamicin) to treat shipping fever caused by drug-resistant or gram-negative bacteria. [13]

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) or opioids may be administered to affected horses for pain relief .

Modulating the inflammatory response through analgesics can stimulate the horse’s appetite and enable them to move around, which is important for recovery. [13] NSAIDs can also help reduce or control a fever.

NSAIDs that are commonly used to treat shipping fever include flunixin, meglumine or phenylbutazone . [4]

Supportive care

Horses with shipping fever often develop hypovolaemia or low extracellular fluid volume. [4] This may be caused by poor hydration or the build-up of fluid in the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Affected horses may need IV fluids to prevent dehydration and weakness.

Daily ultrasound exams allow clinicians to monitor fluid build-up, drainage and infection in the recovering horse. [7]

The survival rate for horses with shipping fever is between 43 – 76% , although some reports suggest it could be as high as 90%. [4] [7] The prognosis for horses with shipping fever has improved significantly over the past two decades.

Between 50 – 60% of the horses that survive the disease return to their previous level of work . Others become breeding, trail or lesson horses. [11] If the infection is caught early, horses can recover fully.

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• Oikawa, M. et al. Some Aspects of the Stress Responses to Road Transport in Thoroughbred Horses with Special Referene to Shipping Fever . J EquineSci.2004.
• Arroyo, M. G. et al. Factors Associated with Survival in 97 Horses with Septic Pleuropneumonia . J Vet Intern Med. 2017. View Summary
• Maeda, Y. Oikawa, M. Patterns of Rectal Temperature and Shipping Fever Incidence in Horses Transported Over Long-Distances . Front. Vet. Sci. 2019. View Summary
• Copas, V. Diagnosis and treatment of equine pleuropneumonia . In Practice. 2011.
• Dechant, J. Combination of medical and surgical therapy for pleuropneumonia in a horse . Can Vet J. 1997. View Summary
• Hudson, N. P. H. et al. Case of pleuropneumonia with complications in a Thoroughbred stallion . Equine Vet Educ.1999.
• Rush, B. R. Pleuropneumonia in Horses . Merck Manual Veterinary Manual. 2014.
• Leadon, D. et al. Veterinary management of horse transport . Vet Ital. 2008. View Summary
• Hurley, M. J. et al. The incidence and risk factors for shipping fever in horses transported by air to Hong Kong: Results froma2-yearprospective study . Vet J. 2016. View Summary
• AAEP Infectious Disease Committee. Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) . American Association of Equine Practitioners. 2021.
• Racklyeft, D. J. et al. Towards an understanding of equine pleuropneumonia: factors relevant for control . Aust Vet J. 2000. View Summary
• Norton, J. Preventing Shipping Fever . American Association of Equine Practitioners. 2016.
• Raidal, S. L. Equine Pleuropneumonia . Br vet J. 1995. View Summary
• Brown-Douglas, C. Feeding Horses Before Travel . Kentucky Equine Research. 2011.
• Espy, B. How Do I Take My Horse’s Temperature? . AAEP. 2016.
• Childs, C.E. et al. Diet and Immune Function . Nutrients. 2019.
• Grohmann, U. and Bronte, V. Control of immune response by amino acid metabolism . Immunol Rev. 2010.
• Padalino, B. et al. Effects of transportation on gastric pH and gastric ulceration in mares . J Vet Intern Med. 2020. View Summary
• Kellon, Eleanor Use of the Herb Gynostemma Pentaphyllum and the Blue-green Algae Spirulina Platensis in Horses . Equine Congress. 2006.
• Nogradi, N. et al. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Provides an Additional Benefit to a Low-Dust Diet in the Management of Horses with Chronic LowerAirwayInflammatory Disease . J Vet Intern Med. 2015.
• Chaffin, M. K. Thoracocentesis and pleural drainage in horses . Equine vet Educ. 1998.

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Shipping fever in horses!

Shipping fever is an infection that horses can get from traveling, in a trailer or an airplane. It’s typically seen in horses that have traveled over 4 hours or so, but as we all know horses don’t always fit the mold!

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Shipping fever is a bacterial infection of the lungs and pleural space around the lungs, aka pleuropneumonia..

• How do horses catch shipping fever? Well, in the trailer or plane, a horse is typically tied with his head up, often for hours on end. Add to that dusty conditions, perhaps urine and/or manure in the box or trailer, poor ventilation, perhaps some extreme temps, dehydration and decreased hay intake, and of course travel stress, and you have a recipe for illness. For more on long-distance traveling – read this!

Horses on a plane!

• The high head position in a trailer or plane creates a situation in which the horse can’t clear mucus from his respiratory system. This makes a wonderful breeding ground for bacterial infections – especially if you have other stressors involved.

Take your horse’s temp often – even for days after you arrive. But you do that anyway, right?

Help prevent shipping fever

• You have a few options, and it’s best to attack from all angles to keep your horse healthy. Help to keep your horse hydrated. Use soaked hay in your hay nets, and offer water at every rest stop you take. You may also talk with your Veterinarian about giving IV fluids before a trip.
• Have adequate ventilation in the trailer, but be sure it’s safe ventilation. If you have windows, please use screens so that your horse’s eyes are protected from debris and road dust.
• Stop frequently and for longer periods of time if you can. If you can safely remove any manure and urine from the trailer, go for it. Consider lining your trailer with recycled cardboard or paper bedding, it’s much less dusty than shavings. It’s generally unsafe to go without shavings, manure and urine on mats or a wood floor can be slippery and can cause your horse to fall.

Stops are helpful along the way – water and a stretch, and let them have a break from balancing in the rig for hours.

• If you have options of how your horse will travel, a loose box is best if that is appropriate for your horse.
• Slant loads and rigs where your horse faces backward are also the best alternatives for trailer positioning, but this doesn’t mean putting your horse in backward in a two-horse straight.

Signs of shipping fever

• You will need to monitor your horse very closely for a few days after your travels.
• Signs of shipping fever include depression, decreased appetite, cough, runny nose, shallow breath, and a fever.
• I can’t stress this enough – many horses will appear to be totally healthy, even with a fever of 102 or more. Don’t wait for signs of shipping fever.
• Check your horse’s TPR at least twice daily for a few days. Isolation procedures and a call to your Veterinarian are in order if you suspect shipping fever.

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Shipping Fever: What to Know and How to Reduce Risk with Dr. Ryan Lukens

• Post author By pbecadmin
• Post date September 19, 2016

Shipping fever is a respiratory disease complex associated with the transport of horses. A common scenario for shipping fever is when a horse is transported from its barn to another state to attend a show. The horse may be healthy and well-hydrated before entering the trailer, but the stress of travel can weaken the immune system.

Another leading factor is tying a horse’s head up while trailering long distances. The mucociliary apparatus of the trachea, which clears dirt and debris from the lower airway, is interrupted due to dehydration, change in temperature, and the inability of the horse to lower its head. The introduction of foreign material into the lower airway can lead to pneumonia, fluid in the pleural cavity (surrounding the lungs), and associated respiratory distress.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Common symptoms noted are hyperventilation, increased rectal temperature, coughing, and nasal discharge after travel. The horse may seem depressed, not willing to work, and not interested in food or water. It is important to call the vet immediately if any of these symptoms are observed after a horse travels. The faster an infection in the lower airway is treated, the quicker and more likely the horse can recover. Shipping fever, if left untreated, can lead to severe pleuropneumonia, which can be life-threatening.

Treatment of Shipping Fever

Initial treatment includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and hydration. If pneumonia progresses without treatment, surgery may be indicated, which can include removal of a rib and placement of chest drains (to drain fluid around the lungs). The vet should be called, and it is crucial to begin treatment at the earliest sign.

There are several preemptive steps that can be implemented to reduce the risk of a horse developing respiratory disease related to travel:

• Split up long trailer rides over several days. Be sure to take breaks and let horses out of the trailer at least every 6-8 hours, if possible.
• Ensure the horse is properly hydrated before travel. Common preventative practice includes administration of oral or IV fluids by a veterinarian prior to travel.
• Discontinue any immunosuppressant drugs 48 hours prior to travel. This includes steroids such as dexamethasone.
• Ship horses in a box stall or similar enclosure so their heads do not have to be tied during travel.
• Ask a veterinarian about immunostimulant drugs that can be given prior to travel.

Learn about Dr. Ryan Lukens by clicking here.

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Shipping Fever in Horses: Causes, Signs, Diagnosis, Treatment

Shipping fever in horses, also known as equine shipping stress syndrome or pleuropneumonia, is a term used to describe a respiratory illness affecting equines after they have undergone a stressful event such as long-distance transportation, especially in poorly ventilated or overcrowded trailers or extreme weather conditions. Stress, dehydration, and exposure to infectious agents primarily cause this condition.

The primary causative agent of shipping fever is often bacterial, with the most common bacteria involved being Streptococcus equi and Actinobacillus spp. These bacteria can enter the horse’s respiratory tract and lead to infections in the lungs and pleura (the membranes surrounding the lungs). The infection can demonstrate symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, fever, labored breathing, and lethargy.

Causes of Shipping Fever in Horses

Shipping fever in horses, also known as equine pleuropneumonia or equine shipping stress syndrome, can be caused by a combination of factors. These factors often work together to weaken the horse’s immune system and create an environment conducive to developing respiratory infections. The primary causative agents are usually bacterial, with secondary factors also playing a role. Here are some of the fundamental causes:

• Stress : One of the primary triggers of shipping fever is stress . Transporting horses , especially over long distances, can be incredibly stressful for them. The process of loading and unloading, the confined space of the trailer, vibrations, noise, and changes in routine can all contribute to elevated stress levels. Stress weakens the horse’s immune system and makes it more susceptible to infections.

• Close Quarters : When horses are transported in overcrowded trailers or vehicles, the proximity to other horses can increase the likelihood of disease transmission. If one horse carries an infectious agent, it can quickly spread to others in such conditions.
• Dehydration : The stress of transportation can lead to dehydration in horses. Dehydration can impair the mucociliary clearance system in the respiratory tract, making it easier for pathogens to establish infections.
• Poor Ventilation : Inadequate ventilation in the transport vehicle can lead to the buildup of dust, bacteria, and other contaminants in the air. Horses inhaling these particles can develop respiratory irritation and infections.
• Temperature Fluctuations : Extreme temperature fluctuations during transportation can stress the horse’s respiratory and immune systems. This stress can make them more susceptible to infections.
• Weakened Immune System : Stress, dehydration, and other factors associated with transportation can weaken the horse’s immune system, making it less able to defend against bacterial pathogens.
• Bacterial Infections : The primary bacterial agents responsible for shipping fever in horses include Streptococcus equi and Actinobacillus spp . These bacteria can be present in the environment or on other horses and can be inhaled by the stressed and susceptible horse during transportation.
• Viral Infections : While bacterial infections are more common, viral diseases such as equine influenza and herpes virus can also contribute to respiratory issues during transportation.
• Poor Pre-Transport Health : Horses already compromised by underlying health issues are more susceptible to developing shipping fever. These horses may not have the robust immune response to fend off infections.
• Long Transport Durations : Longer journeys increase the exposure time of horses to stressors and potential pathogens, raising the risk of illness development.
• Lack of Rest : Insufficient rest breaks during long journeys can prevent horses from properly recovering and maintaining their health.

Risk Factors Associated with Equine Pleuropneumonia

Equine shipping fever can be influenced by various risk factors that increase the likelihood of a horse developing respiratory issues during or after transportation. These risk factors can interact and compound to compromise a horse’s health. Some of the critical risk factors related to equine shipping fever include:

• Distance and Duration of Transport : Longer journeys increase the exposure time of horses to stressors and potential pathogens. Horses transported over extended periods without proper rest are at a higher risk.
• Inadequate Ventilation : Poorly ventilated transport vehicles can result in a buildup of dust, ammonia, and other contaminants. Inhaling these particles can irritate the respiratory tract and weaken the immune system.
• Temperature Extremes : Rapid temperature fluctuations during transportation can stress the horse’s respiratory and immune systems, making them more vulnerable to infections.

• Age and Health Status : Young horses, elderly horses, and those with immuno-compromised or pre-existing health conditions are more susceptible to shipping fever.
• Biosecurity : Failure to implement proper biosecurity measures before and during transportation can increase the risk of exposure to infectious agents.
• Hygiene of Transport Vehicle : If the vehicle is not adequately cleaned and disinfected between trips, it can harbor bacteria and pathogens that can infect transported horses.
• Isolation : Transporting horses unfamiliar with each other without proper isolation measures can facilitate the spread of infections.
• Ventilation and Air Quality : Poor air quality due to dust, mold, and other contaminants in the transport environment can irritate the respiratory tract and weaken immune responses.
• Physical Condition : Horses in poor physical condition may have weakened immune responses, making them more susceptible to infections.
• Pre-Existing Infections : Horses already carrying latent or subclinical infections can have compromised respiratory defenses, increasing the risk of these infections becoming active during transportation.

Clinical Signs of Shipping Fever in Horses

Shipping fever can manifest with clinical signs indicating respiratory distress and potential infection. These signs can vary in severity and may include:

• Coughing : Frequent coughing is among horses’ most common signs of respiratory distress. The cough may be dry or accompanied by nasal discharge.
• Nasal Discharge : Horses with shipping fever may have nasal discharge ranging from transparent to thick and purulent (pus-like). The color and consistency of the discharge can provide information about the severity of the infection.
• Fever : An elevated body temperature (fever) is a typical sign of infection. Horses with shipping fever might have a rectal temperature higher than their normal range, often exceeding 101.5°F (38.6°C).
• Labored Breathing : Difficulty breathing, increased respiratory rate (more than 20-30 breaths per minute at rest), and increased effort while breathing can indicate respiratory distress.
• Rapid Respiratory Rate : An increased respiratory rate, even at rest, can indicate the horse’s body is working harder to get enough oxygen.
• Depression and Lethargy : Horses with shipping fever may appear lethargic, depressed, and unwilling to move or eat.
• Reduced Appetite : Respiratory distress can lead to reduced appetite and eating reluctance. This can result in weight loss and further compromise the horse’s condition.
• Chest and Abdominal Pain : Horses with pleuropneumonia may show discomfort or pain in the chest or abdominal region. This could manifest as restlessness, pawing, or stretching.
• Increased Heart Rate : An elevated heart rate (more than 40-50 beats per minute at rest) can accompany respiratory distress.
• Abnormal Lung Sounds : A veterinarian can detect abnormal lung sounds such as crackles, wheezes, and increased lung sounds upon auscultation of the chest.
• Nasal Flaring : Flaring of the nostrils while breathing is a sign of increased effort to breathe and can indicate respiratory distress.
• Cyanosis : In severe cases, the mucous membranes (gums) may appear bluish due to inadequate oxygenation.

Diagnosis of Equine Shipping Stress Syndrome

Diagnosing shipping fever in horses involves a combination of clinical examination, diagnostic tests, and evaluation of the horse’s medical history and transportation conditions. The objective is to identify the prevailing cause of respiratory distress and confirm the presence of an infection. Here’s an overview of the diagnostic process:

• Physical Examination : A veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical examination of the horse. This includes assessing the horse’s vital signs, lung sounds, heart rate, respiratory rate, and general condition. They will also observe visible signs of nasal discharge, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
• Medical History : Providing the veterinarian with information about the horse’s recent transportation history, exposure to other horses, vaccination status, and any previous health issues is crucial for determining the potential causes of respiratory distress.
• Blood Tests : Bloodwork can provide valuable information about the horse’s white blood cell count (indicating the presence of infection) and other markers of inflammation and infection.
• Nasal Swabs : Swabs from the nasal passages can be used to test for the presence of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens causing respiratory symptoms.
• Transtracheal Wash : This procedure involves collecting a sample of fluid from the horse’s trachea (windpipe) to analyze for the presence of infectious agents and inflammatory cells.
• Thoracic Imaging : Radiographs (X-rays) or ultrasound of the horse’s chest can help visualize the lungs and pleura. Abnormalities such as lung consolidation and pleural effusion (fluid accumulation) can indicate shipping fever.
• Bacterial Culture : If bacterial infection is suspected, a culture of the nasal discharge or tracheal wash sample can help identify the specific bacteria responsible and guide antibiotic treatment.
• Eliminating Other Causes : The veterinarian will consider other possible causes of respiratory distress, such as allergies, viral infections, and non-infectious inflammatory conditions. These conditions may have similar symptoms to shipping fever, so ruling them out is essential.
• Response to Treatment : Sometimes, a veterinarian may initiate treatment based on the clinical signs and then monitor the horse’s response. If there’s an improvement with appropriate treatment, it can help confirm the diagnosis of shipping fever.

Differential Diagnosis of Shipping Fever in Horses

Several conditions can cause respiratory distress and symptoms similar to horse shipping fever. A veterinarian must consider these potential differential diagnoses to identify the underlying cause accurately and provide appropriate treatment. Some of the conditions that can be mistaken for or present similarly to shipping fever include:

• Viral Respiratory Infections : Viruses such as equine influenza and herpesvirus can cause fever, coughing, nasal discharge, and respiratory distress in horses. These diseases are highly contagious and can spread quickly among horses nearby.
• Allergic Reactions : Horses can develop allergies to various environmental factors, including dust, pollen, mold, and other airborne particles. Allergic reactions can lead to coughing, nasal discharge, and labored breathing.
• Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), Heaves : Formerly known as “ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease” (COPD) , RAO is a condition characterized by airway inflammation and constriction, often triggered by exposure to dust and allergens. Horses with RAO can show signs such as coughing, nasal discharge, and difficulty breathing.
• Pleuropneumonia : While shipping fever is a form of pleuropneumonia, horses can also develop pleuropneumonia due to other causes, such as bacterial infections or traumatic injury to the chest.
• Inhaled Foreign Bodies : In some cases, horses may inhale foreign objects lodged in their respiratory tract, leading to irritation, coughing, and respiratory distress.
• Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) : Also known as “bleeding” or “bleeders,” EIPH can occur in horses during strenuous exercise, causing blood to accumulate in the lungs and airways. This can result in coughing, nasal discharge, and decreased exercise performance.
• Aspiration Pneumonia : If a horse inhales feed or other substances into its lungs, it can lead to aspiration pneumonia, which can cause respiratory symptoms and infections.
• Strangles ( Streptococcus equi infection) : This highly contagious bacterial infection can cause fever, nasal discharge, and swelling of the lymph nodes around the head and neck. While it primarily affects the upper respiratory tract, severe cases can lead to pleuropneumonia.
• Other Bacterial Infections : Various bacteria can cause respiratory infections in horses, and the symptoms can overlap with shipping fever.

• Cardiovascular Conditions : Some heart conditions can lead to coughing and labored breathing, which might be mistaken for respiratory issues.
• Gastric Ulcers : Severe gastric ulcers can cause discomfort and pain, leading to symptoms like depression, reduced appetite, and changes in behavior that might mimic respiratory distress.

Treatment of Shipping Fever in Horses

Treating shipping fever in horses involves addressing the underlying infection, relieving respiratory symptoms, and providing supportive care to aid the horse’s recovery. The treatment plan is typically tailored to the severity of the illness and the specific causative agents involved. Here’s an overview of the treatment approach:

• Antibiotics : Since shipping fever often involves bacterial infections, appropriate antibiotics are crucial to treatment. The choice of antibiotics depends on the suspected bacteria and their sensitivity to different drugs. Commonly used antibiotics include penicillin, ceftiofur, enrofloxacin, and others. The vet will prescribe antibiotics based on the results of bacterial cultures and sensitivity testing if available.
• Anti-Inflammatories : Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as flunixin meglumine (Banamine) can help reduce fever, alleviate pain, and decrease inflammation.
• Bronchodilators : In cases of severe respiratory distress, bronchodilators can be administered to help open the airways and improve breathing.
• Fluid Therapy : Intravenous fluid administration can help address dehydration and maintain the horse’s electrolyte balance.
• Nebulization : Nebulizing the horse with saline solutions or other medications can help moisten and soothe the respiratory tract, making it easier for the horse to breathe.
• Rest : Rest is essential to allow the horse’s body to focus on defeating the infection and recovering. Avoiding strenuous exercise during recovery is essential.
• Isolation : Infected horses should be isolated from healthy horses to prevent disease transmission.
• Nutrition : Providing easily digestible and palatable food can encourage the horse to eat even when it’s not feeling its best. Adequate nutrition supports the immune response.
• Veterinary Monitoring : Regular veterinary check-ups are essential to assess the horse’s progress, adjust treatment as needed, and catch any complications early.
• Environmental Management : If the horse’s respiratory distress was triggered by poor ventilation or other environmental factors during transportation, addressing these factors in the horse’s living environment is essential to prevent a recurrence.
• Follow-up Care : After the acute phase of treatment, the horse may require a period of rest and continued care to ensure full recovery. A veterinarian should supervise gradual reintroduction to regular exercise.

Prevention of Shipping Fever in Horses

Preventing shipping fever in horses involves careful planning, management, and attention to the horse’s well-being before, during, and after transportation. Taking proactive steps can significantly reduce the risk of horses developing respiratory issues during transit. Here are some key preventive measures:

• Health Check : Ensure all horses are healthy and free from respiratory infections before transport.
• Vaccinations : Keep horses up to date on vaccinations, including those for respiratory diseases like influenza and herpesvirus.
• Isolation : Isolate any sick horses from healthy ones to prevent the spread of infections.
• Hydration and Nutrition : Ensure horses are adequately hydrated and well-fed before the journey.
• Proper Ventilation : Use well-ventilated trailers or vehicles to minimize dust and provide fresh air.
• Adequate Space : Avoid overcrowding the trailer to reduce stress and neutralize the risk of disease transmission.
• Rest Stops : Schedule frequent breaks during long journeys to allow horses to rest, drink water, and recover from stress.
• Temperature Control : Ensure that the trailer is kept in a comfortable environment to prevent overheating or chilling.
• Bedding: Provide clean, dust-free bedding to minimize respiratory irritants.
• Minimize Stress : Handle horses calmly during loading and unloading, and avoid sudden movements or loud noises that can stress them.
• Clean and Disinfect : Regularly clean and disinfect trailers, equipment, and facilities to prevent the spread of pathogens.
• Isolation : Isolate horses that are new to the herd or haven’t been exposed to each other before to prevent disease transmission.
• Water Availability : Ensure horses can access fresh water throughout the journey.
• Feed : Provide hay and feed during rest stops to maintain digestive health and reduce stress.
• Rest and Observation : Allow horses sufficient rest and monitor them closely for any signs of illness in the days following transportation.
• Health Check : Have a veterinarian examine horses after transportation to detect any early signs of illness.
• Clean Air Quality : Provide a clean, dust-free living environment to minimize respiratory irritants.
• Pasture Turnout : Allow horses to spend time in pastures with good air quality and ventilation.
• Quarantine : Quarantine new arrivals before introducing them to the rest of the herd to prevent potential disease spread.
• Training : Gradually acclimate horses to being loaded and transported if they are not used to it.
• Fitness : Keep horses in good physical condition to help them better cope with the stress of transportation.

Prognosis of Equine Shipping Stress Syndrome

The prognosis of shipping fever in horses can vary widely depending on several factors, including the severity of the illness, the causative agents involved, the promptness of diagnosis and treatment, the overall health of the horse, and the effectiveness of the management and supportive care provided. Generally, horses receiving timely and appropriate veterinary care have a better chance of recovering. Here are some factors that can influence the prognosis:

• Severity of the Infection : The extent of the respiratory infection and whether it has progressed to pleuropneumonia (infection of the lung lining) can affect the prognosis. Mild cases of shipping fever tend to have a more favorable prognosis than severe cases with complications.
• Prompt Treatment : Early intervention with appropriate antibiotics and supportive care can improve the horse’s chances of recovery. Delayed treatment can lead to worsening symptoms and potentially more severe complications.
• Causative Agents : Some bacteria may respond better to certain antibiotics than others. Identifying the specific bacteria causing the infection and their sensitivity to antibiotics can influence the effectiveness of treatment.
• Supportive Care : Adequate supportive care, including fluid therapy, anti-inflammatories, and other medications, can help manage symptoms and aid the horse’s recovery.
• Overall Health : Horses with a robust immune system and no pre-existing health conditions generally have a better prognosis.
• Complications : Complications such as pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity), abscess formation, and secondary infections can impact the prognosis.
• Veterinary Monitoring : Regular veterinary check-ups to monitor the horse’s progress and adjust the treatment plan are essential for a successful outcome.
• Response to Treatment : Improvement in clinical signs within the first few days of treatment is a positive sign. If the horse responds well to treatment, the prognosis improves.
• Recovery Time : The recovery period can vary, with some horses returning to normal quickly and others needing more time for complete healing.
• Preventive Measures : Preventing stress during transportation and promoting overall horse health can reduce the risk of shipping fever, contributing to a better prognosis.

Concluding Remarks on Shipping Fever in Horses

Shipping fever, equine shipping stress syndrome, or pleuropneumonia are respiratory conditions affecting horses after they undergo stressful transportation. Various factors, including stress, dehydration, poor ventilation, and exposure to infectious agents, cause it. The condition is characterized by clinical signs such as coughing, nasal discharge, fever, labored breathing, and lethargy.

Preventing shipping fever involves careful planning and management before, during, and after transportation. This includes ensuring proper ventilation, avoiding overcrowding, providing rest breaks, maintaining hydration, practicing biosecurity, and addressing other factors contributing to stress and compromised immune function.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a successful outcome if a horse does develop a shipping fever. A veterinarian will conduct a thorough examination, perform diagnostic tests, and tailor a treatment plan that may include antibiotics, supportive care, and monitoring. The prognosis varies based on factors such as the severity of the infection, promptness of treatment, and overall health of the horse.

• Equine Pleuropneumonia
• equine shipping stress syndrome
• Shipping Fever in Horses

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5 Tips - Travelling long distances with a horse

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5 Tips to help you and your horse on your maiden voyage

Tip 1 - preparing the horse for a long journey.

The horse needs to be well before travelling.  It can help your horse if, two weeks prior to the planned trip, you commence feeding a probiotic like Protexin and an immune booster like Kohnkes Activ-8 .

If your horse shows any signs of respiratory illness or high temperatures prior to travelling, seek veterinary advice before setting out on your trip. It's ideal to monitor and record your horses temperature in the week leading up to leaving. Horses should be well hydrated and supplemented with electrolytes. Make sure you have some on board and if your horse could be fussy with water, teach him to drink molasses water or KER Drink-Up .  My personal preferance is to use Recharge orally over the tongue when we stop to give the horses breaks and also when we reach the final destination.

Tip 2 - Planning the journey (stop overs..)

Check your states requirements. If travelling from Queensland tick area, the horses must be sprayed/ inspected before going into NSW. SA and TAS also have strict rules about taking hay and grains across the border and into their state. So know what you can take and plan to have feed and hay delivered to the competition venue.  Some helpful links are below.

Plan your trip well in advance. Break it down into days and plan to stick on major highways. Showground's or horse BnB's are great stopovers. Always ring weeks in advance to book yards or stables and powered camping. Most good Showground's also have hot showers. If you have a full day of driving, you must take the horses off halfway at a safe location for at least an hour. So plan a location with fresh water, some shade or shelter and that's safely away from the main road. Showground's again are a good option for resting.

Tip 3 - Prepping the float / car / truck

On longer interstate trips I prefer to travel the horses on a truck, understandably this isn't always the case, however the vehicle should be serviced and checked before leaving. Tyres and tyre pressure adjusted and lights checked. Try not to leave it to the last minute to refuel as particularly at night, service stations can be hard to come by. Have a fully charged phone in case of an emergency and a 20lt water drum with fresh water. Shavings near the horses hind legs will capture urine and feaces and keeping it to the rear will prevent dust from around the horses head.

Try to travel in convoy or meet up in common stops. Big truck stops on the highway are great for refuelling and a bite to eat. If possible, try to rotate drivers with other experienced truck or float drivers.

If travelling a horse with a transport company, use a reputable one, check out the recommendations and make sure you have all the contact details and vise versa. Ask where the planned stops are and expected arrival times.

Tip 4 - Travelling the horse : what to do when you stop (time, hydrate)

Generally we travel the horses with no rugs. Boots and bandages can slip and cause more distress if not fitted correctly. Ideally trial what you plan to use on shorter trips first. I used travel bandages with pillow wraps, however only bandage if you are experienced, otherwise there is some great travel boots on the market. You may also decide to tail wrap with a bandage or neoprene wrap, again be careful of fit, a loose wrap falling off might upset your horse and a tight tail bandage could cause more harm than good.

Rests are extremely important for the horse. After several hours of travelling, it's important to get the horses heads down to clear the nasal cavity and sinus. Horses naturally have their heads down grazing, clearing any dust and bacteria. When they travel, we take away that ability. When we get them off, take them for a gentle walk and a pick of grass. The horse should be offered clean water and enticed to put it's head down. This is also a good chance to give them some electrolytes and check their temperature. We try to give them an hour and usually eat some lunch at the same time! On a side note, we never travel with hay bags, it's safest to wait till they are off the transport to offer hay or feed and preferably on the ground.

In the case of travelling horses to and from Tasmania, the same general guidelines apply. When returning to the float or truck check the horses immediately. Then have a planned stop close to Melbourne/ Devonport to get the horses off and their heads down asap. At every break check your horses temperature.

Remember they are better to be cool than too hot so try to travel them with no rugs.

Tip 5 - Horse Welfare : Signs of distress/ illness

Travel sickness can develop quickly and be fatal. Any signs of high temperatures require immediate veterinary attention. Travel sickness is a term given to a build up of bacteria in the airways and lungs. This can turn into pluerisy/ pneumonia very rapidly.

Westvets.com.au have a good article explaining travel sickness and it's worth familiarising yourself with its symptoms.

The horses welfare should always come first. You should always carry a thermometer and continue to check your horses temperature for a week following long distance travel.

Safe Travels, Kate

Some useful links:

Authors Bio : Kate Dreverman (Rogers) has been a sponsored rider of Herdz since 2012.  Kate is a Queensland based International *** Event Rider who regularly competes at major events across the eastern states of Australia including the Adelaide International.  Her most recent major success was winning the Aquis Racehorse Retraining Triequithon - 2017 with Global Victory.

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Travel Sickness / Shipping Fever

Disclaimer: The following is only general information. If you believe that your horse has a problem please call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

As the name implies, this disease is associated with moving horse long distances, either overland, by sea or by air. It was first recognised in the early part of the 20th Century when it became a major issue with army remounts during the Boer and First World War. In fact, it resulted in three times as many fatalities as all other causes combined.

Travel Sickness and Shipping Fever are both common names for Pleuropneumonia, which is a respiratory disease of the lungs and pleural cavity.

The pleural cavity is made up of a membrane that surrounds each lung then doubles back on itself to attach to the chest wall leaving a space between the two membrane layers. This space normally has a small amount of fluid, which allows the lungs to expand and contract with minimal friction against the inside of the chest wall.

When bacteria are allowed to colonise the lungs the horse will develop pneumonia, and as the infection worsens it spreads to the outer pleural cavity causing Pleuropneumonia.

Horses with Pleuropneumonia will have a fever, depression, lethargy and loss of appetite. They may also have pleural pain, which will make them reluctant to move, cough or lie down. If they do move, their stride will be short and stiff and they may make a soft grunting sound. Their respiration rate is usually elevated, however they may not have a discharge from the nose.

Pleuropneumonia can be mistaken for colic, however early diagnosis is critical as it can quickly become a serious, if not fatal, disease if not treated early.

All horses have bacteria in their nasal passages and throat (upper respiratory tract), however they usually have several defence mechanisms to stop bacteria from moving down and multiplying in the lungs (lower respiratory tract). These mechanisms include:

the continuous movement of mucus, containing bacteria and debris, away from the lungs

specialised cells that can engulf and remove any particles that do enter the lungs

Unfortunately, if these defence mechanisms fail the horse will develop pneumonia.

When horses are transported over long distances they are confined with their head in an elevated position, which is higher than their normal standing position. In this situation, gravity may force bacteria-laden mucus to move down into the lungs. Also, transporting horses, even over relatively short distances, will put the horse under stress, which results in higher cortisole levels, which in turn results in a suppressed immune response. A suppressed immune system will result in a decrease in the number of specialised cells that are involved in clearing the lungs of contamination.

Once the horse develops pneumonia the infection may worsen and spread to the pleural cavity. If this happens the pleural cavity will fill with large volumes of infected fluid causing difficulty in breathing and severe pain.

Other causes of Pleuropneumonia can include strenuous exercise, breathing in debris from an arena, track or dusty stables, starvation or viral respiratory infections.

A history of prolonged transport and stress, clinical signs and blood tests would support a diagnosis of Pleuropneumonia. For a definitive diagnosis your veterinarian may require an ultrasound of the chest as well as collection of fluid samples by either endoscopy of the lungs or a needle into the mid-trachea region of the neck.

Once Pneumonia or Pleuropneumonia is diagnosed the treatment must be aggressive. In the case of Pleuropneumonia the treatment will be prolonged and involve repeated removal of large volumes of pleural fluid via chest drains, intravenous fluid support, anti-inflammatories, pain relief and several (or many) courses of antibiotics.

Unfortunately, complications associated with this disease include laminitis, lung abscesses and bronchopleural fistulas (a hole through the pleural membrane into the airways causing the lung to collapse).

Without early detection and aggressive treatment the outlook for the horse, if it survives, can be poor.

Contrary to popular belief, research has demonstrated that 30 minutes of head lowering every 6 hours of confinement will NOT prevent a build up of mucus and bacteria. It requires at least 8 to 12 hours for the clearance of accumulated secretions following 24 hours of confinement. It has also been demonstrated that if we allow horses to have as much head freedom as possible we could significantly decrease the risk of Pleuropneumonia.

Other preventative measures may include:

avoiding strenuous exercise and other forms of stress before and after long transportation

ensuring adequate feed and water intake during rest periods

placing feed and water on the ground

not travelling horses with hay at head height (which increases the risk of inhaling debris during transport)

taking the horse’s temperature twice daily for one week following transportation (an increased temperature is one of the early signs of Pleuropneumonia)

This article is based on a veterinary paper by Tori McGuire (Hons) MACVSc.

Comment: A large number of horse owners will need to move their horse over long distancces each year. Whether it is to attend an event, a clinic, relocation, selling or buying a horse or breeding, you should be aware of the potential risks for your horse. Knowledge, preparation and after-journey monitoring are essential if you want to avoid this extremely serious disease.

Chris Burke from IRT speaks about the transportation of Australian horses to the Olympic Games

Although he doesn’t speak specifically about travel sickness, he covers the preparations that are necessary when transporting horses.

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Home Blogs 15 Tips For Travelling Your Horse

15 Tips For Travelling Your Horse

1. Get Familiar. Ensure your horse is familiar with loading/unloading and the environment on the truck or float they are travelling on. Minimising stress before travel is key.

2. Keep them Hydrated!! Ensure that the horse is hydrated and has been drinking adequately leading up to the trip.

3. Check your float or truck. Are the blinkers/lights working? Is there anything broken or sticking out that may injure your horse? Tire pressure ok? Have a standard check list that you go through every time you travel.

4. Avoid any unnecessary medication before travelling. A fundamental rule of travel – a sick horse loading, is even a sicker horse unloading. If your horse is sick, don’t travel!

5. Check their Head Space. Horses should be given as much freedom of movement of their heads as is safe. Restraint in the head up posture for prolonged intervals can severely compromise lung clearance mechanisms and predispose a horse to travel sickness. Hay nets should be placed as low as possible while still assuring that horses cannot entangle their feet in the net.

6. Rugs and Boots. Only place travel boots and bandages on a horse that is well season to them. Placing them on a young or unexperienced horse can be a hinder rather than a preventative

7. Let there be Air! Ensure that the truck or float is well ventilated. Air quality impacts the respiratory system, and can also cause havoc on a very hot day or bad weather. Good ventilation and air quality is vital for a comfortable trip.

8. Keep trips to a length of 12 hours maximum. After this period, horses should be rested to allow for tracheal clearance and rehydration.

9. Offer water on long trips. Horses should be offered water every 4-6 hours, or 3-4 in hot weather.

10. Avoid dusty feeds. Ensure horses have access to clean, dust free feed on long journeys

11. Keep it Clean! When stopping for water breaks, try to remove any manure or urine where possible. Excess ammonia in the air can lead to respiratory irritation.

12. Weight Loss. Be prepared that your horse may lose weight on a long trip. Horses can lose up to 20kg on an international flight and on average about 0.5% of their body weight each hour of travel.

13. Recovery – For 6-12 hour trips, a 1 day rest period should be sufficient. If travelling more than 12 hours by road or plane, a recovery period of 2-3 days should be given.

14. Monitor Monitor Monitor! – A rectal temperature should be taken at the same time daily in the lead up to a long trip. This allows you to take your horses temp during the trip and on arrival and be able to pick up any early signs of illness. Other signs such not eating, drinking or dull and depressed, could also indicate that the horse is not 100%.

15. Be prepared! Ensure that you carry an adequate first aid kit in case of an emergency, and always have on hand the veterinarians number that is relevant to your destination or overnight stop.

14 Easy Ways to Calm a Horse While Travelling [on a Road-Trip]

Horses are naturally fearful and flighty animals and can get easily stressed while travelling.

Particularly if your horse has not previously travelled, it can be a very daunting experience for them. Keeping your horse calm whist travelling is vital to ensure they maintain optimum health as there are many transit-related diseases horses can contract. The more comfortable your horse is during transit, the calmer and therefore healthier they will remain. 

The following are 14 easy ways to keep your horse calm while travelling:

Ensure your horse has plenty of ventilation.

• Plan for the journey to keep it as short as possible.
• Use an appropriately sized trailer or van.
• Get your horse used to its trailer.
• Check your horse’s health before departing.

Provide plenty of hay and water.

• Take breaks every 3 hours.
• Don’t tie your horses head too high.
• Avoid using excess gear.
• Leave extra time to load and unload your horse.

Drive carefully.

Try horse calming supplements..

• Horses appreciate travel companions.

Turn your horse out the night before.

In this article we will discuss each of these calming techniques in detail, so your horse can enjoy stress-free travel.

Why is it important your horse remains calm while travelling?

There are a number of transit-related diseases that your horse can contract while on the road.

Research conducted in 2015 looked into the health problems and risk factors associated with long-haul transport in horses (source: here ). Based on the veterinary reports of the horses that were affected during travel, the most common issues included respiratory problems (27%), gastrointestinal problems (27%), pyrexia (19%), traumatic injuries (15%) and even death (12%).

Therefore is is so important that you plan and prepare for the journey. Ensuring that your horse is comfortable and calm while travelling, as well as ensuring there are no problems with your vehicle, are both vital for your horse’s wellbeing.

There are many precautions that you can take to minimise the risk of sickness, which we will discuss in detail in this article.

Ensuring your horse has lots of ventilation while travelling is very important, particularly on long journeys and during warm weather. Horses heat up 10 times faster than humans, so you can imagine how much heat they release. Along with the heat from the sun, a horses trailer can become dangerously hot very quickly.

However, you need to ensure that the breeze isn’t blowing directly onto your horses face. Too much breeze can dry out horses eyes. Additionally, you need to make sure that the air isn’t blowing hay onto your horse’s face, which can cause respiratory problems. To avoid this, you should dampen the hay slightly before placing it in hay-nets.

Additionally, please inspect the exhaust system of the vehicle on a regular basis. Keeping engines in proper maintenance can decrease its emissions which are a hazard to your horse. If your vehicle has a vertical exhaust, make sure it’s taller than the ceiling of the van or trailer and thus, not flowing into the intake vent. Breathing in exhaust fumes can damage your horse’s respiratory system and breathing of excessive fumes in a trailer without proper ventilation, can even cause death.

Urine-soaked bedding or poor drainage can also have a huge negative impact on air quality. A substantial amount of ammonia fumes can be generated when urine breaks down. Again, breathing in excessive levels of ammonia fumes can cause respiratory problems in horses. Modern research recommends making periodic stops to remove faeces and urine-soaked material.

Plan ahead.

To keep your horse calm, you want to keep the journey as short as possible. This can be especially important if your horse has not travelled before and in extreme weather conditions.

Firstly, always try to take the shortest route to reach your destination. Secondly, familiarise yourself with the route so you can prevent your horse being in the trailer longer than is necessary. Additionally, look up any potential delays, such as road closures or accidents. Even a short journey can turn into a much longer one due to unexpected delays, so it’s best to check before setting off.

The quicker your get your horse to your destination and out the trailer, the better.

Use an appropriately sized trailer.

Select a van or trailer that suits your horse’s size and temperament. A horse that struggles in confined spaces will feel calmer in a larger container. However, a horse that is used to travelling may be comfortable in a smaller trailer. Of course if you are travelling with multiple horses, you need to ensure that they all have adequate space.

Furthermore, it is important that you ensure the trailer is suitable for the size of your horse as this will reduce the risk of them hitting their heads or injuring themselves.

If travelling with lone horses, experts recommend using small box trailers where your horse can lower its head to the floor for hay. If horses neck movement is restricted during transit, they are at risk of damaging their respiratory systems.

Before setting off, be sure to complete a safety check on the trailer:

• Tyres should be the correct pressure and in good condition
• Lights and indicators should be working
• No loose or damaged fittings
• Check the breakaway cable is clipped to the car

Get your horse used to the trailer.

A horse that is used to travelling, will be calmer than a horse that hasn’t travelled before. If you have taken your horse to shows in the past, you may have noticed just how much your horse sweats while travelling. Excess sweating is observed more commonly when a horse isn’t used to travelling. Horses tend to sweat more when they are stressed and can even burn the same number of calories as when they’re exercising!

Training your horse to get used to the trailer prior to travelling can help keep him calm while on the road. During the weeks leading up to your travels, practice loading and unloading your horse so he gets used to the experience. Furthermore, take your horse out on short drives to get him used to the motion of travelling and being in a confined space.

This is particularly important if you are planning on going on a long road trip with your horse. A horse that hasn’t been in a trailer before, is more likely to get stressed on a 6 hour drive, rather than a horse that is used to being in the trailer on the road.

Check their health before travelling.

Have a vet complete a full health check on your horse before taking him travelling. A long road trip can be stressful for a healthy horse, let alone a sick one. As mentioned above, stress makes horses more susceptible to getting sick, due to a number of reasons.

Therefore, experts advise that a sick horse should not travel at all. The additional stress of travelling on a sick horse is likely to deteriorate his health and can even be fatal.

Additionally, ensure that your horse has all of the vaccinations that he requires. This is particularly important if your horse will be coming into contact with other horses during your travels, and if you are travelling to another country. Make sure you leave enough time for these vaccinations to take affect. They usually take two to three weeks to provide protection.

Not only will hay provide your horse with some much needed sustenance while travelling, it’s also a good distraction during the journey. Additionally, it’s vital that your horse grazes throughout the journey otherwise he risks getting sick.

It is highly recommended that you soak your horse’s hay in water before placing it in nets and loading it onto the trailer. This is because particulate matter from hay can contaminate your horses air. Contaminated, dusty air can cause problems in your horse’s respiratory system.

Furthermore, it is also important to keep your horse hydrated during the journey. It is advised that you offer water every 3 hours during travel. In warmer weather, high humidity, or when horses are sweating excessively, you should offer water more frequently. If possible, it is advisable to bring water from home as some horses can be reluctant to drink water that is not what they’re used to.

Take breaks every 3-5 hours.

Many top riders in the UK recommend that horses are taken out of their vehicles every 3 to 5 hours. A quick stop will give your horse an opportunity to stretch their legs and breathe some fresh air.

Transport-related diseases, dehydration, or fatigue due to energy expenditure and reduced feed intake, are more likely to be observed in journeys over 3 hours or over 500 miles. Road transport time should never exceed 12 hours from when the horse is first loaded on the vehicle. After 12 hours of travelling, horses should be taken off the trailer and comfortably stabled for a minimum of eight hours. This time period is vital for tracheal clearance, rehydration, and for your horse to get some much needed rest.

Additionally, pit stops are a good opportunity to check up on your horse to ensure that he is healthy and calm. You can also use the time to check your horse’s travel boots and tail bandages to ensure they are still in place and to redo them if necessary. Tail bandages can harm your horse if they are not fixed properly.

Do not tie your horses head too high.

Tying your horse’s head too high will put too much stress on his respiratory tract. Restraint in the head-up posture for prolonged periods of time can severely interrupt lung clearance mechanisms. This can predispose your horse to shipping fever (pleuropneumonia).

To optimise your horse’s health, he needs to have enough room to both stretch and lower his neck whilst travelling. Hay nets should be placed as low as possible without the risk of your horse entangling his feet in the nets. Alternatively, horses travel well in small box stalls where they can extend their heads to the floor to eat their hay.

Avoid using excess gear while travelling.

Avoid “over wrapping” your horse in unnecessary travel gear during transit. Excess gear will cause your horse to lose bodily fluids and electrolytes from excessive sweating. This, in turn, leads to dehydration which causes other systemic illnesses.

A dehydrated horse’s skin will stay up in a ridge, while healthy skin should spring smoothly back into place. Common signs of dehydration include:

• Dullness in the eyes
• Dry mouth and skin
• Thick and sticky saliva

Only use what is absolutely necessary for the comfort and safety of your horse while travelling. These include a good headcollar, poll guards, tail guards, bandages, sweat and cooler rugs.

If your horse is an experienced traveller, you might not need to use a tail bandage when travelling long distance. When a tail bandage isn’t fit properly, it can actually cause more damage than not having one. If the bandage is too tight the chances are it will rub and end up damaging your horse’s dock. On the other hand, if the bandage is too loose, it may unravel and get tangled up in your horse’s legs and feet.

Using sweat and cooler rugs will help maintain your horses temperature during extreme weather. However, be careful not to over-rug your horse. Field-kept horses and ponies who are used to cooler temperatures may be warm enough without a rug. Therefore, for some horses, rugs will cause unnecessary sweating and overheating, which compromises the welfare of your horse.

Allow extra time for loading and unloading.

Add some extra time to your journey to allow enough time to load and unload your horse. This is particularly important if your horse isn’t used to travelling. Even well-travelled horses, may refuse to load depending on his current mood.

As mentioned above, it’s recommended that you practise loading and unloading your horse leading up to your journey. This will make the journey smoother as your horse will me more used to the experience, and therefore less likely to refuse to load.

Leaving plenty of time to load and unload your horse will not only reduce stress for yourself but also your horse.

A horse will feel calmer if you drive carefully. Whilst driving, be aware of your horse’s welfare. Try to come to gentle stops and always accelerate slowly to keep your horse calm and comfortable.

Stopping and accelerating quickly, and making sharp turns may also lead to your horse injure himself. You may risk your horse banging his head, falling against the side of the trailer or tugging on his headcollar.

There are a number of different calming products and minerals that have been proven to help reduce stress in horses.

As mentioned above, research has shown that when a horse’s normal routine and diet are changed, they can develop gastric ulcers in just a matter of days. Within just a few hours, the sensitive microbial population of your horse’s hindgut can be thrown out of balance, causing colic, diarrhoea or laminitis. A study carried out by Ohio State University revealed suppression of the immune system in which horses were transported in trailers. Regardless of how careful you are, some change and stress is unavoidable. Therefore, travelling horses can benefit from nutritional supplementation.

Providing calming aids with nutrients such as thiamine (vitamin B1), magnesium, and alpha-lactalbumin is recommended for calming highly-strung horses. These minerals have been scientifically researched and proven to have a calming affect on horses.

Calmer Equine Plus is an innovative supplement which includes high grade chelated magnesium the ‘anti-stress mineral’. This helps to help relax your horse’s muscles and his nervous system as well as providing pre and probiotics which help to soothe the digestive system. These supplements normally take affect within a few hours, however different horses react differently. Thus, it is a good idea to complete a trial run before your journey. This way you will know how long the supplement will take to impact your horse.

Supplementing horses with electrolytes is also highly recommended for those on the go. A well-balanced electrolyte supplement will encourage drinking and replace electrolytes lost through excess sweating. Horses should be offered water frequently throughout their trip. Experts recommend dosing electrolytes with an oral dosing syringe or mixing them in the feed so you know exactly how much you are providing and how much your horse is taking. They do not recommend dissolving electrolytes in your horses water as horses can refuse to drink if they suspect their water has been tampered with.

Horses are calmed by a travel companion.

Most horses and ponies generally feel calmer and more comfortable sharing their trailer in the company of another equine.

A recent study compared horses traveling on their own, with those travelling with another horse. Research found that less stress-indicating behaviours, such as head tossing and turning, were observed when horses travelled with a companion. Additionally, changes in their heart rate and body temperature were also monitored and indicated that the horses were happier when traveling with a friend.

If it isn’t possible for your horse to travel with a friend, a mirror may actually suffice. Researchers installed an acrylic mirror, measuring 81cm x 60.5cm (32″ x 24″), into the trailer used to haul a single horse. They found that horses were a lot calmer and behaved similarly to when they had a live companion.

However, it is important not to overload a trailer with too many horses. Horses with adequate space will feel much calmer than those with limited space. Additionally, the more horses in a trailer, the hotter it is likely to get, which can lead to health problems.

Some expert trainers like to turn their horses out the night before travel. They say that it allows their horses to graze and hydrate themselves in the most natural way. Horses may also feel calmer while travelling if they spent the night before out in the open.

Yes, it might mean a little more grooming the next morning, however, I’m sure the general improved wellness of your horse outweighs the extra work required.

Travelling with horses can be stressful, however there are many things you can do to calm a horse while on the road. It’s vital to keep horses calm while travelling to optimise their health and prevent sickness. Travelling and stress can cause a number of different diseases, such as shipping fever, heat exhaustion, dehydration and gastric ulcers.

Firstly, research has shown that ventilation and temperature control are extremely important to prevent your horse getting sick. Additionally experts recommend taking breaks every 3-5 hours to allow your horse to get fresh air and stretch their legs. This also gives you a great opportunity to give your horse some water, as well as to check up on your horses health and gear. Furthermore, research has found that horses benefit from calming supplements such as thiamine (vitamin B1), magnesium, and alpha-lactalbumin, as well as travelling with a companion or a mirror!

Hope this has been helpful.

Happy travels!

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Home Equine Health News 15 Tips For Travelling Your Horse

15 Tips For Travelling Your Horse

1. Get Familiar. Ensure your horse is familiar with loading/unloading and the environment on the truck or float they are travelling on. Minimising stress before travel is key.

2. Keep them Hydrated!! Ensure that the horse is hydrated and has been drinking adequately leading up to the trip.

3. Check your float or truck. Are the blinkers/lights working? Is there anything broken or sticking out that may injure your horse? Tire pressure ok? Have a standard check list that you go through every time you travel.

4. Avoid any unnecessary medication before travelling. A fundamental rule of travel – a sick horse loading, is even a sicker horse unloading. If your horse is sick, don’t travel!

5. Check their Head Space. Horses should be given as much freedom of movement of their heads as is safe. Restraint in the head up posture for prolonged intervals can severely compromise lung clearance mechanisms and predispose a horse to travel sickness. Hay nets should be placed as low as possible while still assuring that horses cannot entangle their feet in the net.

6. Rugs and Boots. Only place travel boots and bandages on a horse that is well season to them. Placing them on a young or unexperienced horse can be a hinder rather than a preventative

7. Let there be Air! Ensure that the truck or float is well ventilated. Air quality impacts the respiratory system, and can also cause havoc on a very hot day or bad weather. Good ventilation and air quality is vital for a comfortable trip.

8. Keep trips to a length of 12 hours maximum. After this period, horses should be rested to allow for tracheal clearance and rehydration.

9. Offer water on long trips. Horses should be offered water every 4-6 hours, or 3-4 in hot weather.

10. Avoid dusty feeds. Ensure horses have access to clean, dust free feed on long journeys

11. Keep it Clean! When stopping for water breaks, try to remove any manure or urine where possible. Excess ammonia in the air can lead to respiratory irritation.

12. Weight Loss. Be prepared that your horse may lose weight on a long trip. Horses can lose up to 20kg on an international flight and on average about 0.5% of their body weight each hour of travel.

13. Recovery – For 6-12 hour trips, a 1 day rest period should be sufficient. If travelling more than 12 hours by road or plane, a recovery period of 2-3 days should be given.

14. Monitor Monitor Monitor! – A rectal temperature should be taken at the same time daily in the lead up to a long trip. This allows you to take your horses temp during the trip and on arrival and be able to pick up any early signs of illness. Other signs such not eating, drinking or dull and depressed, could also indicate that the horse is not 100%.

15. Be prepared! Ensure that you carry an adequate first aid kit in case of an emergency, and always have on hand the veterinarians number that is relevant to your destination or overnight stop.

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Understanding the Health Risks in Transporting Horses

• 28 May 2021

What are the Health Risks in Transporting Horses?

Education of the horse and preparation of the horse’s gut, immune system and the transport vehicle are the keys to successful short and long-term transportation.

Even short periods of transportation can be stressful to horses and cause detrimental changes to the microbial population in the horse’s gut. On longer trips, a combination of stress and respiratory challenges may lead to travel sickness.

Arriving safely and on-time at your destination relies on your ability to minimize both anxiety and physiological stress to support the horse’s gut, airways and immune system and minimize the risk of injury and misbehaviour.

In this article we examine the causes of common transport-related health problems.

Education and float safety

Investing the time and money in providing your horses with a good basic education so that they are calm and confident when loading and travelling in a horse float or truck will pay off many-fold when moving, competing and evacuating in an emergency situation. If you have never taught a horse to load and travel before it is well worth paying for professional assistance.

Ensure your float or truck is well-ventilated for coolness and so that fumes from vehicles and urine do not accumulate inside.

Before setting out on your journey, weigh up the pros and cons of using float boots to protect the legs or leaving legs bare to avoid overheating. If you do plan to use boots on an inexperienced traveler, try them on a few times prior to the day of transport to allow the horse time to get used to the feeling before loading.  

Travel your horse for the first few times with a companion horse who is an experienced traveler – this calming influence is invaluable.

As an owner, you will always appreciate having a horse who is happy to load and travel calmly so that you also arrive without stress!

Transport, stress and gastric ulcers

Research has found that as little as two hours of transport alters the balance of microbial species in manure, lowers the pH of manure (it becomes more acidic) and changes the white blood cell concentrations. These changes indicate physiological stress even in horses who travel frequently and appear outwardly calm.

Stress affects the gut muscles and can cause cramping, spasms, bloating, diarrhea and slow the rate of passage of food. It reduces the efficiency of digestion, weakens the cells in the intestinal mucosa (leaky gut) and impacts on the gut microbial population which further affects digestive efficiency, gut acidity, immune function and hormone signalling.

Stress also causes a reduction in the number of specialized cells that exist in the horse’s airways for the process of clearing contamination from the lungs.

As a result of stress, transported horses may have a weaker immune system, be more prone to gut pain and colic, and experience nervous system disfunction that may result in behavioural changes.  

Studies show that equine gastric ulcers can form in an empty stomach during a period as short as four hours or in only a few hours of transport where stress is an exacerbating factor.  

Scientists have found that feeding lucerne hay reduces the risk of ulcers developing. Lucerne is rich in calcium which can buffer acid, is high in pectins which help to protect the gastric lining and when fed just before transport and exercise, will ‘soak up’ the stomach fluid to help reduce acid splash.

Scientific trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of nutraceuticals rich in phospholipids and amino acids such as lecithin, pectin, fermented soy and aloe vera. It is recommended to feed these during treatment with veterinary prescribed drugs such as omeprazole to facilitate healing. Good results are reported from continuing with the nutraceuticals as follow-up treatment for a month and later used at a reduced rate for maintenance of normal gut health. Click here to read about Farmalogic ReLEAF , a supplement to aid horses prone to gastric ulcers.

Travel sickness

Agriculture Victoria defines “Travel sickness” (also known as Shipping Fever) in horses as a bacterial infection of the lungs and chest cavity that may result from long distance transportation.  

The condition is technically known as Pleuropneumonia and occurs when the normal bacteria of the upper respiratory tract enter the lower airways, causing infection. Pleuropneumonia is not contagious between horses.

In a healthy horse, continuous movement of mucus through the airways protects the lungs from bacteria and debris. The process is assisted by gravity during the many hours each day that horses graze, cough, snort or rest with their heads down low to expel contaminants.  

During transport, an elevated head position, stress and exposure to fumes, dust and polluted air increase the risk of a failure of the normal mucus defense mechanisms that protect the airways. Research demonstrates that horses confined for long periods with their heads continually elevated above the normal standing position accumulate secretions in their airways containing high levels of bacteria.

Bacterial colonization of the lungs causes pneumonia and as the infection progresses into the pleural cavity, infected fluid causes difficulty breathing.  

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual signs of travel sickness may be lethargy, depression, fever, shallow breathing and poor appetite. Signs may be mistaken for colic, with horses unwilling to move, cough or lie down. They may take short, stiff strides and grunt as they move but a nasal discharge is not always present.

Early identification of the disease and prompt treatment are required for successful treatment of travel sickness.  

Precautionary supplementation with antioxidants and omega-3s can boost the immune system and modulate inflammatory and allergy processes thereby supporting airway health during transport.

Behaviour, calming supplements and the gut

Many horse owners reach for calming pastes before traveling in the hope of avoiding a stressful journey and an over-excited and difficult-to-handle horse on arrival. Whilst some of these products do work, there is little or no evidence to support using some ingredients in horse calmers. Click here to help you better understand the main ingredients used in calming blends.

Probiotics and the Gut-Brain Axis

Exciting new research is coming to the fore regarding the significant influence of the gut microbial population on animal health and behaviour. Disruption of the balance of gut microbial species (as occurs during stress) has been demonstrated to cause behavioural change in some species.  

Animals treated with probiotics had measurably lower levels of corticosterone, a stress hormone. Research demonstrates that feeding horses a specific strain of live yeast reduced the impact of transport stress on microbial populations and reduced the levels of stress hormones measured in the blood during transportation.

Scientists believe that it is plausible that supplementation with probiotics to improve digestive comfort could contribute to behaviour modification in horses. Supplementation with live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae or some Lactobacillus bacterial species maintains the natural diversity of hindgut bacterial populations. This reduces the levels of lactic acid and maintains a more stable hindgut pH which could reduce the impact of stress on the gut during transport and avoid deficiencies in the vitamins and amino acids normally provided by a healthy hindgut microbiome.  Farmalogic Rejuvenate powder and paste, Farmalogic B-Good Paste and Farmalogic Mega-B Boosta are formulated with the live yeast proven to reduce the impact of transport stress. Click here to find out more.

Scientists researching dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids have found that omega-3s in the form of DHA and its precursor, EPA, can improve cognitive function in humans. These types of omega-3s are marine sourced, and can only be found supplements made from special marine algae and fish oil, such as Farmalogic Omega Balancer and Equine Vit&Min Omega-3 PLUS . Research from many species demonstrates that DHA is essential for normal brain development before and after birth. New work is linking EPA to mood and behaviour. Perhaps in future we will see research linking marine-sourced omega-3 supplementation (DHA and EPA) to improved horse behaviour and learning.

Guidelines to help your horses arrive at their destination in a healthier state and ready to perform to their potential.

• Click here for  Tips to prepare for transport
• Click here for  Tips for keeping your horse healthy during transport
• Click here for  Tips for recovery from transport

Find out more about Farmalogic Equine products at www.farmalogicglobal.com or message us!

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Equine grass sickness

A guide to managing horses with equine grass sickness, which can be a debilitating and frequently fatal equine disease.

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Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a debilitating and often fatal disease which commonly presents as impaired activity of the gut, caused by nervous system damage, which prevents food from travelling through the digestive system properly. 

Cases are common in northern European countries, particularly Great Britain. The disease occurs almost exclusively in horses with access to grass, but even though the condition was first identified around 1909, the true cause of EGS remains unknown. 

The disease can present as acute (sudden onset), subacute (milder clinical signs) and chronic (slow onset). 

Acute and subacute clinical signs include, but are not limited to: 

• Absence of gut sounds 
• Increased heart rate 
• Gastric reflux (food out of nostrils) 
• Colic 
• Difficulty swallowing 

Clinical signs in chronic cases can include: 

• Rapid otherwise unexplained weight loss 
• Tucked up abdomen 
• Drooping eyelids 
• Muscle tremors.  

Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your horse is displaying signs of grass sickness.  

Fast Facts guide to Equine grass sickness

This Fast Facts guide includes:

• Clinical signs of the different types of grass sickness
• Treatment of grass sickness
• Risk factors and prevention strategies

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How do you manage chronic equine grass sickness?  

The cause EGS is still unclear, but some horses survive with intensive nursing. Thanks to the dedicated team at the University of Edinburgh and with World Horse Welfare’s support, the following guide on the management of horses with chronic grass sickness was produced.  

Management of horses with chronic grass sickness

This guide focuses on:

• The clinical signs of chronic EGS
• Diagnosis and treatment of chronic EGS
• Prognosis and recovery of horses with chronic EGS

Further updates on EGS research can be found in the guide below: 

Equine Grass Sickness: A research update and look to the future

This guide includes:

• Advances in EGS treatment options
• Current and future research projects to further determine the cause(s) and improve treatment outcomes

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Travel Sickness

by Mandy Logan | Oct 22, 2021 | 2012-2014

9th May 2006

For most horses, transport is a common occurrence in their lives, but many owners are unaware how shipping can profoundly affect their horses’ health. Horses that travel long distances are particularly susceptible to developing pleuropneumonia, commonly referred to as travel sickness.

A respiratory infection that affects the lungs and pleural (chest) cavity in horses, travel sickness quickly can become a serious and potentially debilitating or even fatal disease if not recognized and treated early.

Pleuropneumonia is a bacterial pneumonia that becomes severe enough so as to affect both lungs and extend into the pleural space surrounding the lungs.

When transporting horses an elevation of environmental temperature and relative humidity occurs along with an increase in the number of bacterial organisms in the air. The changes in their environment, combined with the stress from transporting, can affect their respiratory system and may predispose them to this disease.

Minimizing Complications

In a research study a team from the Department of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Sydney in New South Wales evaluated the direct effects of transportation on the internal environment of the lungs. They concluded that a certain amount of airway compromise could successfully be avoided through simple prevention.

It is important to make sure that the horse is well in every other respect before travelling. A low-grade viral respiratory infection may make it easier for the bacteria to move from the airways to the lungs and slow mucociliary (mucous membranes of the respiratory system) transport. Some sedatives also will slow mucociliary transport and should be avoided.

The stress relating to travel, head position, changes in ventilation and air quality that occur when one is being transported by horse trailer or van, and the length of transport are all contributing factors. Normally it’s not associated with short-term travel, say one to four hours.  But rather, it affects horses transporting at a greater distance.

Short-tying a horse so that it was unable to lower its head compromised the health of the lower airways, making it difficult to drain, and increased the number of bacteria found in its airway passage. The method of long-tying, attaching through the cheek ring of the halter in a safe manner, or leaving the horse loose in a box stall during transporting allows the horse to snort out mucus and clear the airway.

If the horse should have its head in a more natural position, which is below its withers, this allows for sinus clearing and airway drainage. Proper ventilation and minimizing dust levels also help to maintain proper respiratory function.

Early Recognition crucial

Symptoms of pleuropneumonia may not be visible for two to three days following transportation. If left unobserved or untreated, this disease can progress rapidly to death within 30 days after shipping. Clinical signs include fever, depression, nasal discharge, cough, loss of appetite or thirst, a colic-like appearance, and an increased or abnormal respiratory pattern – all of which can appear during travel or within 24 hours after transport.

Many veterinarians recommend keeping the horse properly vaccinated against respiratory diseases as well as monitoring the horse’s temperature prior to transport, during transport, and soon after arrival to catch the disease early.

Suspected pleuropneumonia is usually treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics in order to kill a wider array of bacteria. Treatment should occur over a number of weeks and of course the horse should be out of training for several weeks to several months so that it doesn’t have a relapse. Additional treatments may come in the form of anti-inflammatory medication to make the horse feel comfortable enough to eat and a bronchodilator to help the horse breathe easier by opening the airways.

In the early stages, antibiotic medications alone are effective, but as the fluid starts to accumulate into the pleural space the horse may benefit from draining. Draining involves placing a catheter in the pleural space surrounding the lung and removing the fluid. As pleuropneumonia becomes more severe it becomes almost incumbent to drain some of the fluid because the fluid is causing the horse more distress by pushing on its lungs.

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• chevron-right Equine Grass Sickness (EGS)

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Equine Grass Sickness (EGS)

Equine Grass Sickness (EGS) is a debilitating and frequently fatal disease, affecting grazing horses, ponies, and donkeys. However, there have been a few cases where horses with no access to grass have developed EGS where hay has been found to be the cause 1

• Last reviewed: 22nd December 2023

There are three forms of EGS, acute, sub-acute and chronic, with signs that can overlap. These include:

• Excessive salivating
• Dried inflamed nostrils
• Signs of colic with no gut sounds
• Very bloated stomach
• The contents of the stomach start to pour down the nose (foul-smelling green liquid)
• Drooping eyelids
• Patchy sweating
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle tremors
• A ‘tucked up’ abdomen, the horse looks like it is sucking its tummy in
• Weight loss
• Difficulty swallowing or refusing to eat

Chronic EGS can be less severe, sometimes showing as mild colic and the horse standing with its feet very close together. Signs of acute EGS can appear very rapidly.

Treatment & prevention

A definite reason as to what causes EGS remains unknown. It is a very complex disease that affects the digestive system causing paralysis of the gut 2 . This causes fluid to build up in the stomach and small intestine, blockages in the large intestine, and dehydration.

There are three potential causes:

• A bacterium that creates dangerous toxins (Clostridium botulinum)
• A fungus found in pasture that produces a toxic chemical
• A possible genetic link.

It appears that not one of these factors alone causes EGS, as there are a variety of other circumstances which need to be in place for the disease to occur. These include heritability 3 , weather conditions (such as cool, dry weather with irregular frosts), soil disturbance, pathogens and fungi related to soil and plants, age, immune system, nutrition, gut microbes, and stress levels in the horse. This would explain why one horse grazing in a particular field may die from EGS while his companion can remain completely unaffected.

EGS cases can occur at any time of the year but has been found to be most common between April-June. Great Britain has the highest number of EGS cases compared1 to other countries in the world, with higher occurrences nearer the east coast compared to the west, particularly in Scotland. EGS can affect any age of horse but is most common in young adult horses between 2-7 years old.

Sadly, the prognosis for EGS is poor. Horses diagnosed with acute, sub-acute and severe chronic forms of the disease will usually be euthanised to prevent further suffering. Around 50% of chronic cases may survive if they are suitable for intensive nursing and vet treatment. 

Suitable EGS cases for nursing usually have some ability to swallow, an appetite and no continuous abdominal pain. There is currently no cure for EGS and treatment revolves around nursing and nutritional support. There are some drugs that can be given, but these are to treat signs and relieve pain.

There must be a discussion between the owner, vet and nurses, if nursing is considered, to be aware of the long time-frame for treatment, potentially high financial cost (check with your insurance company) and that there is no guarantee the supportive care will be successful. 

The Moredun Foundation Equine Grass Sickness Fund  gives the following recommendations:

• Minimise exposure to grazing where previous cases of EGS have occurred
• Minimise pasture/soil disturbance (for example, harrowing, pipe-laying/construction)
• Minimise soil exposure (for example grazing down to the soil/poaching of fields)
• Avoid any sudden changes in diet
• Follow a testing-led deworming programme to avoid the unnecessary use of dewormer drugs. Seek advice from your vet to discuss the frequency of testing and possible treatment that may be required for your horse
• Co-graze with ruminants such as sheep
• Where possible, remove droppings by hand, rather than mechanically
• Supplement with additional forage such as hay

There are currently no vaccines available to help prevent against EGS. A full report from a 2014-2018 EGS vaccination field trial can be found on the   Equine Grass Sickness Fund website . 

"I’d ridden William on the Thursday and he was fine, but when I went out to his field on the Friday he was acting strangely. He didn’t come over to me, which was unusual, and when I brought him in he didn’t try and dive to eat any of the grass like he normally did. "I tied him up outside his stable and he tried to pass droppings, but they were just mucus-covered pellets. He wasn’t eating or drinking and he didn’t touch his hay – and then he started showing signs of what I thought was colic. He was looking at his flanks and scraping the floor, so I called the vet out straight away." When the vet arrived, he too initially diagnosed mild colic – but after a full examination 12 litres of green reflux was drained from William’s stomach and his heart rate found to be dangerously high. Fearing life-threatening colic, William was rushed to hospital immediately. Devastatingly for Ulla, the hospital examination revealed something much more sinister – the vets suspected grass sickness. William was now gravely ill and needed to be operated on the next morning.  "That night, I went home and researched the condition. Nothing I read was positive. When the vets operated in the morning, they confirmed our fears – it was acute grass sickness, and nothing could be done for William. That was it. He was gone within 24 hours.  "I’d never heard of grass sickness until it happened to William. The sheer shock is what is so scary about it because before you know it, your horse is gone. If you don’t know what grass sickness is, you think you’re dealing with colic because the symptoms are so similar. That’s why it’s so important to research grass sickness and know how to minimise the risks. You don’t have the time to do it after it strikes."

Further information

• Coldwell Fizz’s Story
• A research update and look to the future
• How vets can support the Biobank work
• Milne, E. et al (2006)   Grass Sickness in Horses
• McGorum, B. (2021).   Equine grass sickness (A multiple systems neuropathy) is associated with alterations in the gastrointestinal mycobiome .  Animal Microbiome .
• Vincze, B. (2020).   Family aggregation analysis shows a possible heritable background of equine grass sickness (dysautonomia) in a Hungarian stud population .  Acta Veterinaria Hungarica ,  68 (3), 263–268.

A nationwide biobank to gather vital samples for research into EGS is being run by The Moredun Foundation and The Equine Grass Sickness Fund (EGSF), with support from the BHS.   By donating samples from affected horses, along with soil samples, and completing case questionnaires, horse owners and vets can play a crucial role in helping researchers understand the risk factors and protect future generations of horses from the terrible effects of this disease.

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Flying horses around the globe: how it works

• Transporting horses

Racing is now a truly international sport with horses flying all over the world to compete on different continents for big prizes. Travelling head girl to trainer Andrew Balding Leanne Masterton explains what’s involved when flying overseas with a horse. Together with seven-year-old gelding, Side Glance (pictured below), the pair have travelled the world to compete in destinations as varied as Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and America.

Preparation is key A great deal of preparation goes into ensuring racehorses receive the highest standard of care throughout their trips abroad. There are a wide range of factors to take into account, including how training schedules fit in with lengthy flights, ensuring racehorses are fed and watered during the journey, dealing with quarantine regulations in different countries, and ensuring that all the necessary paper work is in order ahead of travelling. Racing overseas is planned months in advance to ensure that everything runs smoothly and the horse’s journey is as comfortable as possible.

Tack is the last thing to be packed As travelling head girl, it is Leanne’s job to prepare for the trip: “I will usually get all the gear ready the week before we fly, as between going racing and riding out it’s nearly always a manic week. Tack is the last thing I pack because if it’s a late afternoon or evening flight I will have to ride out first. However, the horse that is flying will get the morning off. Once the hampers are packed and ready, it’s just water containers to be filled, haynets to be stuffed and enough feed readied for the journey.”

Quarantine Australia is the only country that Leanne has travelled to where horses have to spend two weeks in quarantine in the UK before they leave. This is because, with no equine influenza in Australia, they do not currently vaccinate against it as they do in every other racing country. Racehorse quarantine in the UK is done at Side Hill Stud in Newmarket.

“We shower every time we enter quarantine and horses are allowed to use designated gallops only between 4pm and 5pm as quarantine regulations do not permit them to be within 100 meters of a horse that is not in quarantine.

“Every piece of exercise is supervised by a vet and a team of staff, who also keep dog walkers away. During this period blood and nasal swab tests are done for equine influenza, among other equine diseases. Horses temperatures are also taken twice daily. After two weeks, providing all the tests are clear, it’s time to fly.”

When travelling anywhere else in the world with horses, the same tests have to be done and have to be clear prior to flying. The tests can be carried out at home and the horse will not enter quarantine until it arrives abroad. The racehorses stay in quarantine overseas for the duration of their stay, and in America, horses are kept in isolation for at least 72 hours.

Take-off With equine air travel increasing, racehorses will usually be flown in custom-built aircraft adapted specifically for transporting horses. “Pilots will not allow people to stay in the hold with the horses during take off. Racehorses are used to travelling in a horsebox and generally they are not fussed by getting on a plane. I have never been on a flight where a horse has got upset.

“After take off I will untie him [Side Glance], as he likes to stand backwards and sleeps a fair bit. I can’t say who sleeps more, him or me. On a flight full of horses, there are no air stewards or stewardesses, so the grooms and vets are left to fend for themselves. No in flight entertainment either, so a good book is essential!”

Keeping hydrated While flying, it is very important to keep horses hydrated. “Before we leave, any horse of Andrew’s that is flying will be given a Duphalyte IV drip by the vet, this is full of vitamins and minerals. During the flight I would offer water every couple of hours. If a horse isn’t drinking well after a couple of hours I would give them some electrolyte paste by mouth, it’s full of salts and minerals and encourages them to drink.

“A vet will always be on board along with an assistant, so should a horse show signs of becoming dehydrated they will administer IV fluids. But I have never been on a flight where this has had to be done.”

Careful feeding “Feeding on a flight has to be done with care, greedy horses eating too much can develop colic so I have found it best to feed little every four to six hours and, if possible, off the floor of the stall. This encourages horses to get their heads down, so there is more chance of anything in their lungs from the air con running out.”

Landing On landing, the horses are transported straight to quarantine when in Australia or the stables reserved for international runners in other countries.

“Once the horses have had a good walk they are put into their new stables and temperatures are taken. A risen temperature is the first indication of a horse developing travel sickness so temperatures are taken twice a day for two weeks again. This is witnessed by a vet every morning and closely monitored. I’m lucky in that no horse I have ever travelled has suffered from travel sickness but I have seen it in Hong Kong and Australia. Horses develop a high temperature, a cough, a dirty nose and look dull in their coat. They have to be treated with antibiotics and it takes time for them to recover.”

Exercising after a flight “After 36 hours travelling, you don’t put a horse under any strain in their exercise. So, following our arrival Down Under, it is a couple of days just leading out and picking grass, giving them time to acclimatise. This time in Australia [where Side Glance ran in the Cox Plate], we also have Van Percy who was second in the Ebor. Although he was a first time flyer Van Percy only lost 3kg on the flight, and Side Glance, the old pro, lost 14kg! This is normal for him, and it only takes two days for him to it put back on.

“Both horses were being prepared to run exactly two weeks after landing so after a couple of days walking in the compound we hit the track for a trot. Both horses pulled our arms out trotting, Matti, who rides Van Percy, and I were still suffering with jet lag and it’s fair to say the horses recover a lot quicker than us!”

Trainers will aim to have a horse primed and race fit before they travel so they will only need easy work after landing in the immediate build up to a race.

“After a few days of steady cantering Side Glance did his first easy piece of work on the Tuesday before the race. He did his alone as he can pull very hard in company and we didn’t want him to do too much. The days leading up to the race they are just kept ticking over with steady canters. On the day before, I allow ‘Sidey’ an inch or two of rein so he can stretch out down the straight as he has been known to run gassy and keen if too fresh.”

Coming home “When Side Glance arrives home from a trip the first thing he does is roll in his own stable, he will then check out his feed pot before he has a long sleep.

“The day after a trip abroad he goes for a mini break to Chris Bonner’s (Andrew Balding’s assistant). He always has the same stable there and will jump off the lorry ramp when he arrives. He gets to play in the paddock but he also has an hour a day on the horse walker, otherwise he lets himself go a little too much. He was there for 10 days after travelling to Chicago this year and put on 25kg… He loves it there!!”

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