TEXAS VET NEWS By Dr. Bob Judd, DVM and the Texas Farm Bureau Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network

The American Veterinary Medical Association and its member veterinarians are deeply concerned with animal welfare.  Because of this concern, the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee has recently developed some guidelines including recommendations for transporting horses.  The first recommendation is to stop transportation of horses in double decker trailers.  It has been shown that more horses are injured in double decker trailers than single decker trailers.  Also, accommodations can be made to help prevent injuries: aggressive horses and stallions should be separated so they cannot come in contact with other horses.   The inside of trailers should be high enough so a horse can extend the head to the fullest normal height.  It is also important that all trailers provide adequate ventilation and contain no sharp protrusions that could injure horses. 

Another thing that is important with horse trailers is to have large doors and ramps so they can be loaded and unloaded safely.  There should be enough area for each horse to be able to shift weight as needed and prevent injuries between horses from occurring.  The AVMA also believes horses need good flooring in the trailers to provide solid footing so that injuries do not occur from a fall.  Most of these recommendations are focused on people who haul large numbers of horses, such as those hauled to Mexico or Canada for the purpose of slaughter.  Since slaughter was banned in the Unites States, the number of horses being hauled long distances in these large trailers has increased so hopefully the USDA will consider adding these recommendations in their policies.

Hear the audio of this program at the Texas Farm Bureau Network.

Date Published: 4/6/2009 10:20:00 AM