INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING OF COMPETITION HORSES

Daniel Marks, VMD

SUMMARY

This report outlines the practical con- siderations of a veterinarian responsible for the international transport of compe- tition horses and is based on the author's experience. The paper addresses prepa- ration, planning and the actual shipping and arrival. Cooperation with the trans- port agent and horseman is stressed.

INTRODUCTION

The modern transport of horses is usually trouble free and can lead to a complacency that, for the most part, is never challenged. Yet, there is always the potential for serious mishaps, that, how- ever rare, are none the less tragic. Histori- cally most international shipping ofhorscs for competition has taken place between well established race tracks or horse shows, with the aid of knowledgeable and experienced transport agents. As horse sports have grown there has been an increase of shipping to less familiar locations by less experienced personal.

Frequently a veterinarian accompa- nies horses in transport and assumes re- sponsibility for their well being. The fol- lowing are considerations and procedures that the veterinarian, in collaboration with

Author'= addre==: De Vargas Center, Suite G506, Santa Fe., NM 87501-1498

the shipping agent and the horseman, can use to minimize untoward problems.

PREPARATIONS BEFORE SHIPPING

Health requirements for import and export

Reliable transport agents usually deal with the necessary animal health authorities. However, the veterinarian must be aware of the various regulatory and animal health factors. Import re- quirements can be obtained from the Ministries of Agriculture of the coun- tries to be visited. Arrangements must be made with the export division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the local USDA veterinar- ian to certify to the export prerequisites. Quarantine requirements and informa- tion about the facilities of the various countries should be ascertained. If the transport of feed or bedding is contem- plated, the import regulations must be investigated. The USDA can furnish in- formation as to the health status of the countries involved in the trip; especial concern is given to African Horse Sick- ness (AHS), Piroplasmosis, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis, Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM), and any endemic dis- ease not encountered in the United States. ff vaccination for an exotic disease is contemplated, permission to import the vaccine may be required. If any involved country is AHS positive, or if any horses that are contacted are from such coun- tries, then a sixty day quarantine on return may be mandatory. It is advisable to reserve stalls at Newburgh, N.Y. If the trip exceeds sixty days, CEM testing of mares and stallions may be a factor.

It is advantageous to test all horses prior to leaving the U.S. for glanders,

dourine, piroplasmosis, and equine viral arteritis. If any are anti-complementary, delays may be anticipated. Test results of any one horse may affect the entire con- signment.

In countries with arthropod borne diseases (e.g. AHS, equine infectious ane- mia, and piroplasmosis) the quality and type of stabling and screening, the alti- tude, the season, the provisions for sepa- ration from other horses, the arthropod control program, and the availability of tick free feed and bedding must all be considered.

The potability of the horse's drink- ing water should be investigated.

TRANSPORT AGENT

When planning the trip the welfare of the horses is paramount. A written plan details the itinerary, facilities, personnel, vehicles and planes. The trip schedule ought to contemplate: competition sched- ule, temperature and time of day, border crossings and customs, rush hour traffic, ferries, transient stabling and holding fa- cilities, accommodations for attendants, and the number of attendants available. Generally, a minimum of four attendants are required for loading or unloading a group of horses. The location and occu- pants of transient stables must be evalu- ated for any contagious diseases espe- cially piroplasmosis. As a rule, horses ought not ship immediately after a strenu- ous competition as this increases stress. Predetermine the location of veterinary clinics en route and their emergency phone numbers.

The equipment must be specified. Horse vans are desirable with double stalls (rear facing, diagonal standing, while unusual, seem best). For long trips,

Volume 13, Number 11, 1993 609

TALKING IT OVER

box stalls are ideal. Shavings or moist sawdust in the stalls prevent slipping and encourage urination. Ventilation is the most important factor. When transport- ing a large amount of equipment with the horses, a separate equipment truck can expedite shipping. The type of plane ought to be selected with, for example, consid- eration for external air conditioning in hot climates. The availability of such equipment at intended airports must be confirmed. Sadly the use of unsuitable or marginally airworthy planes has resulted in fatal loss. The type of lift or ramp available at each airport must be planned, and with steep ramps, it is advisable to have studs available for the horses, if their shoes are tapped. Double stall crates are advantageous, and with some horses mandatory. If the crates are open at the top, neck ropes are necessary. The num, ber of seats available for attendants must be specified, and permission for them to be with the horses sought, even though this is ultimately the prerogative of the pilot in command.

Camets, which in effect bond the horses by the U.S. government, may fa- cilitate multiple border crossings. With regulations constantly changing, the knowledge of the transport agent i~ best relied upon.

THE HORSE'S CONNECTIONS

The people who best know the horse's shipping history and peculiarities are questioned; frequently these are the groom and stable manager. What is the horse's normal rectal temperature? Will the horse require a double stall? Does it need to face a certain way? Does it re- quire company, if so who? Will the horse fret if left alone? Is the horse prone to fight? Does it kick, and if so is padding required? Is it especially sensitive to loud sounds? Has the horse flown before? Is there afiy history of panic attacks? Did it require tranquilization when flying pre- viously? When shipping has it been sus-

ceptible to respiratory infections, aller- gies, or colic? What was the previous medication experience for shipping, e.g. immunostimulants, antibiotics, NSAIDs, bronchodilators, and sedatives? Is it al- lergic to any medication? Is the horse especially difficult to administer i.v. medication? Has the horse had any recent disease, especially respiratory infection? How fit is the horse? Has thek been any recent stress?

Communicate with the horse's local veterinarian about any blood testing, vac- cination, or medication (e.g. immuno- stimulants, intra articularmcdication) that may be needed before the trip. Insure that any skin disease is treated; also get any pertinent veterinary history or recom- mendations.

If any medication is anticipated dur- ing the trip, this should be discussed with the owner or trainer.

Clip the horse if traveling to a hot climate with a winter coat.

Check the FEI passport and vaccina- tion history. The pertinent regulations can be obtained from the American Horse Shows Association.

Obtain carrots for the flight. Advise the grooms to have warm

clothes for the flight.

PENULTIMATE DAY

Administer two quarts of mineral oil with a stomach tube, or put oil in feed for three days previously.

Examine horses: auscult lungs, take temperature, take blood for a complete blood count, total protein and fibrinogen.

Check the horse's passport and health papers.

Check the groom's passports. Check on the contents of the veteri-

nary emergency kit (Figure 1); also have the following available during the flight: tail ropes, twitch, chain shanks, flash light, shoe puller, and strong knife. Vicks ® may be useful for stallions.

Insure that carrots, water, and buck- ets are available for the flight. Plan the

loading diagram with regard to: The number of people available. Make sure horses that fret without

company are not left alone. The front of the plane is better, i.e.

better ride, and better ventilation. 1 Horses at risk for respiratory problems are best in the front.

Separate stallions from mares and horses that fight.

Plan to have comrades together. Insure that potential problem horses

are easy to get to.

SHIPPING

Check health papers. Make sure vet- erinary kit and paraphernalia are acces- sible. Take horse's temperatures prior to shipping.

Medication The most frequent situation that re-

quires tranquilization is waiting on the van prior to loading for flight. Tranquil- izers are best used in small quantities, before the horse gets very upset. It is better to err on the side of too little and too early. Violent horses may start a chain reaction. Intra muscular acetylpromazine will last about two and one half hours; xylazine and detomidine are fast acting, but there is a danger from a sudden, violent kick. Usually, when using xylazine, it is mixed with acetylpro- mazine.The addition ofbutorphanol may be helpful to suppress stall kickers. It is advisable to have some preloaded sy- tinges containing 150 mg of xylazine in case of emergencies. Rarely, it may be prudent to catheterize a horse who is especially bad about injections and is anticipated to require medication. Horses whose lungs are suspicious, or who have a history of multiple, shipping related respiratory infections, are medicated with penicillin or penicillin and gentomicin during the trip. Allergic COPD may re- quire oral clembuteral. Usually, I don't use NSAIDs for shipping. If any medica- tion is used, the drug rules of any antici-

612 JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE

pated competition must be weighed in order to assure adequate clearance.

Transportation The key items to always consider are

ventilation, temperature, and head posi- tion. The most common serious problem is respiratory infection which is exacer- bated by warm, humid, stagnant air with a high bacterial colony count. 2 If this is compounded by the horse's head being elevated, which minimizes dependant, respiratory drainage, the potential for pneumonia is amplified. 3

With this in mind, the horse van are stopped every five or six hours for a full hour, during which it is parked in a cool, quiet place with the engine off, and doors, windows and vents open. The head ropes are loosened, and water offered at floor level. The horse's demeanor is observed, and if suspicious its temperature is taken. In some circumstances unloading and grazing the horses may be advantageous. Using this procedure it is possible to ship "straight through" safely for several days. Usually no respiratory problems develop for the first eight to ten hours. If an overnight stop is planned, I think it should be for at least twenty four hours. My preference is to not use breast bars be- cause of the danger of getting a leg over the bar. At night leave lights on in the horse cabin, and use maximum interior lightingwhenin tunnels, lightning storms, or through cities. Leg bandages must be checked; a bandage that comes off in transit is worse than no bandage at all. Tail bandages most be monitored through- out the trip. In some circumstances a head bumper is advisable. Tie the heads as loose as possible at the height of the withers. It is best to minimize hay nets; if used, they should not be tied too high. The reasons are that with limited ventila- tion or with recirculation, the hay adds to the particulate contamination of the air and can overwhelm the ciliary clearance, thus predisposing to respiratory infec- tion, and since many horses tend to dehy- drate during shipping, hay may contrib-

Figure 1. Emergency kit

Alcohol swabs Acepromazine Rompun Domosodan Torbugesic Ketamine 4 Succinyl choline Euthanasia sol. Banamine Dipyrone Xylocalne 2 Potassium Penicillin 2 Gentocin Sterile Saline 2 Solu-delta-cortef Inject Ventipulmin Epinepherine Gentocin ophthalmic Panalog Topazone

Assorted needles 27g- 14g

Assorted syringes 3cc,12, 35, 60, duct

Catheters 4 Venoset 2 Extension set Bulb pump

Scrub sponges Razors 2 Suture material Small surgery kit Staple gun Sterile gloves 2

Super glue Adhesive tape 2 Electrical tape Vetrap 4 Elastoplast 4x4", 6" Cast padding 4 Sterile kling 3 Sterile sponges 2 Sterile packing Sterile telfa

Penlight 2 Thermometer 2 Scissors Buck knife Small twitch Rectal sleeve 2 Stethoscope

Flashlight Tail ropes Chain shank Twitch Shoe puller

ute to intestinal impaction. The presence of a small amount of hay may reduce anxiety with some horses. But with lim- ited ventilation, less or no hay is, in my opinion, thebetterchoice. This, of course, also applies to airplanes.

Airplane crates and ramps must be inspected especially for loose or broken fittings. The load master must be con- suited to determine the loading sequence essential for proper weight and balance. Ideally the horses should be in the front of the plane, andifthere is additional freight, the horses loaded last and unloaded first, if possible. Advise the captain and flight engineer of the need for gentle taxiing

and braking and to provide maximum ventilation. While on the ground, ventila- tion in the plane is maximized by using external air conditioning and by opening all the doors. In flight, the rear of the plane is usually warmest and the tem- perature ought not exceed 55°F. In many planes it gets too warm inside the horse crates and maximum air conditioning is called for; therefore, the attendants should be prepared with warm clothes. Gener- ally sheets and blankets are not advis- able. They can cause sweating and en- cumber the legs if the horse goes down in the crate. Secure permission from the captain for attendants to be with the horses

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during takeoff and landing. Don't graze horses at the airport, unless you know the grass is safe. Be careful of slippery air- port apron areas where a horse might fall. Minimize hay nets in flight, but feed carrots during takeoff, landing and to distract anxious horses. Horses usually don't drink a great deal in flight, they tend to get dehydrated. Water should be of- fered periodically. Monitor the tempera- ture inside the crates. If the crates have solid fronts, the horses should be moved back prior to landing, in order to allow them to brace with their front legs.

If travel involves ferries it is impor- tant to arrive early in order to secure the front place in the bow for maximum ventilation, not only is the ventilation poorer further aft, but many trucks leave their motors running and these fumes are especially hazardous. An alternate plan

must exist in case of rough weather. The horse's temperatures are taken

after unloading.

Dest inat ion or t ransient s tabl ing I f blood testing is necessary for im-

port, it is advisable to take the blood yourself.

It is nice if someone can prepare the stalls before the horses arrive.

Check the horse's feet for pulse, its state of hydration, and take temperatures which are monitored and recorded twice daily for at least four days. The water intake and state of hydration are also monitored.

Mineral oil in the feed or by tube may be indicated for horses who have been dehydrated, or with a history of impaction, or whose manure is scant or dry.

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If tick borne disease is endemic, spray the barns and the horses with Expar® and examine the horses twice daily for ticks; instruct the grooms to check the ears, intermandibular space, mane, axilla, prepuce, groin, and tail. Hay, bedding, and old barns are the prin- cipal source of ticks.

C O N C L U S I O N

This article can not encompass the wide range of exigencies that may occur, but outlines methods to minimize the most common. The veterinarian's task is not only to deal with medical emergen- cies, but also to prevent them by proper planning and cooperation. The shipping agent generally implements much of the above, and with highly competent ship- pers and horseman, much of the veterinarian's role is that of an observer, but nevertheless an involved observer.

In practice, the preparation for these contingencies seems to deter or at least mitigate them.

R E F E R E N C E S

1. Cregier, S. E.: Reducing equine haul- ing stress J Equine Vet Sci Vol 2, No. 6 p. 187-198 Nov/Dec 1982

2. Leadon, D. P.: Equine transit stress Uve Anim Trade Transp Mag. Fort Washing- ton, MD Silesia Companies. March 1991 v. 3 (1) p. 30-32

3. Racklyeft, D.J. and Love, D. N.: Influ- ence of head posture on the respiratory tract of healthy horses Aust Vet J. Vo167, No. 11 p.402-405 Nov. 1990

614 JOURNAL OF EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE