Survey of Trucking Practices and Injury to Slaughter Horses
Temple Grandin,
Kasie McGee and Jennifer Lanier
Department of Animal Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1171
ABSTRACT
Sixty-three trailer loads arriving at two slaughter plants
in Texas were observed in July and August of 1998. A total of 1008 horses were
surveyed. Forty-two percent of the horses were transported on double decks, 9%
on straight single deck semi-trailers and 49% on goosenecks. The average number
of horses on each load was double decks 28, single deck straight trailers 22 and
goosenecks 11. The maximum number transported on each type of trailer was double
decks 45, single deck straight trailers 25 and goosenecks 22. Ninety-two percent
of the horses arrived in good condition and 1.5% were not fit for travel. A
total of 78 horses (7.7%) had severe welfare problems. Six percent 60 horses out
of the 7.7% had conditions caused by owner neglect or abuse and only 1.8% (18
horses) had transport and marketing injuries severe enough to be rated a severe
welfare problem. Owner problems were significantly greater than transport
problems (chi square> .001). Examples of origin welfare problems were loaded
with a broken leg, emaciated, foundered, race horses with bowed tendons and
horses that were too weak to be transported.
Fighting was a major cause of injuries during transport and marketing.
Thirteen percent of the carcasses had bruises caused by bites or kicks.
Fifty-one percent of all carcass bruises were caused by bites or kicks. To
reduce injuries aggressive mares and geldings must be removed and held in a
separate pen in the same manner as stallions. Loads from dealers who picked up
horses from more than one auction had more external injuries and carcass bruises
than direct loads (chi square> .001). The authors make the following
recommendations: 1) Educate horse owners they are responsible for horse welfare,
2) Horse associations should all have animal care guidelines, 3) Station
USDA/APHIS trained welfare inspectors in slaughter plants, 4) Fine individuals
who transport horses unfit for travel, 5) Segregate aggressive mares and
geldings in the same manner as stallions, 6) Improve horse identification, 7)
Implement procedures to immediately euthanize horses with severe injuries such
as broken legs when they arrive after the slaughter plant is closed, 8) Inspect
horse transport vehicles at truck weigh stations and at auctions, 9) To prevent
transport of slaughter horses to Mexico or underground markets, the four horse
slaughter plants should be encouraged to remain open. A lack of slaughter
facilities will increase the number of horses which will die from neglect, 10)
Double deck trailers should not be used to transport tall horses and 11) Educate
horse owners to improve training methods to prevent behavior problems, which can
cause a horse to be sold for slaughter. This paper also contains a report on the
New Holland, Pennsylvania horse sale.
INTRODUCTION
This survey was commissioned by the USDA/APHIS to determine
where welfare problems are occurring during horse transport to slaughter. This
report is the first in a series of two reports. A second report will provide
further information on the horse slaughter industry. In this first report the
incidence of injuries during transport was surveyed. Injuries were tabulated by
vehicle type: 1) double deck "pot" semi-trailers, 2) straight single deck semi
trailers and 3) single deck "gooseneck" trailers. Data was also collected to
determine the percentage of serious welfare problems caused by owner neglect or
abuse and the percentage which occurred either during transport or while the
horse was in the marketing channels. Owner welfare problems are defined as
conditions which were not caused by either transport, marketing or handling in
the slaughter plant. Data was also collected to determine the amount of injury
occurring on vehicles and the amount of injury caused by horses fighting while
they were in the transport and marketing channels.
METHODS
Sixty-three trailer loads arriving at two slaughter plants
in Texas were observed in July and August of 1998. A total of 1,008 horses were
surveyed. Thirty-six additional loads were also observed either arriving or
loading out from the New Holland Sale in New Holland, Pennsylvania. Both major
and minor injuries occurring in the three different types of trailers were
tabulated for the first 500 horses. For all 1008 horses, individuals which were
not fit for travel and other severe welfare problems were recorded. Due to
problems with lack of cooperation by many drivers, it was impossible to get the
detailed truck information that was in our proposal. Injuries and damage on the
horses was tabulated shortly after the horses were unloaded. The horses were
observed either in the slaughter plant holding pens or while they were handled
in a tagging chute at the plant. Bruises on carcasses were observed in the
cooler at each plant.
RESULTS
The results are summarized on the tables. Gooseneck
trailers with a single deck and double deck trailers were used to transport the
majority of horses to slaughter (Table 1). Most gooseneck trailer loads
originated within the state of Texas and all the double decks originated from
out-of-state (Table 2). A gooseneck trailer is designed to be pulled by a
pickup. The largest gooseneck has only half the capacity of a double deck cattle
truck. This is the major reason why double-deck semi trailers are used for the
long out of state trips. Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show representative samples of
the different types of trailers. The average number of horses on each type of
trailer was Double Decks 28, Single deck semis 22 and goosenecks 11. The maximum
number of horses observed on each type of trailer was Double Deck 45, single
deck semis 25 and there were three gooseneck loads with 22 horses.
|
Table 1. Loads Arriving at the Slaughter Plant Vehicle Types |
|
Type of
Trailer |
Number
of Horses |
Percent
of Horses |
Number
of Loads |
Percent
of Loads |
|
Double Deck |
427 |
42% |
15 |
24% |
|
Straight
Trailer |
89 |
9% |
4 |
6% |
|
Gooseneck |
492 |
49% |
44 |
70% |
|
Total |
1008
horses |
|
63 loads |
|
|
Table 2. Origin of Loads Arriving at Slaughter Plant by State and Vehicle
Type - Total of 1008 horses |
|
Vehicle
Type |
Number
of Loads |
Number
out of State |
Percent
out of State |
|
Double
Decks |
15 |
15 |
100% |
|
Straight
Trailers |
4 |
2 |
50% |
|
Goosenecks |
31* |
13 |
42% |
* Goosenecks of
verified origin.
- Double Decks originated from Canada, Pennsylvania,
Lousiana, South Dakota, Michigan, California, Ohio, New Mexico, and Kansas.
- Straight Trailers originated from Texas Kentucky, and
Missouri.
- Goosenecks originated from Texas Kentucky, Missouri.,
and Georgia.
At the New Holland Sale, 69% of the arriving vehicles were
goosenecks. (Table A). The rest of the horses arrived in a straight
semi-trailer, two and four horse trailers and an old show van. Horses left the
sale in either straight semi trailers or goosenecks with the exception of one
load (Table B). This vehicle was a pick-up with a cattle box mounted on it. A
draft horse was loaded into this vehicle. The ceiling height of this vehicle was
too low for such a large horse. All other vehicles were in good condition. The
only transport injuries in horses being unloaded were minor abrasions of the
type that can occur under the best of circumstances. Horses sold at the New
Holland sale were handled very well. See the New Holland Appendix for the
complete New Holland report.
Fifteen horses (1.5%) that arrived at the slaughter plants were not fit for
travel (Table 3). Seventy-eight horses (7.7%) of the 1008 horses had severe
welfare problems. Ninety-two percent were in good condition. Figure 4 shows a
typical pen of slaughter horses. Fighting was a major cause of injuries which
occurred during marketing and transport (Figure 6). Tables 4 and 5 show the
incidence of severe welfare problems, minor abrasions and injuries were not
included. Three percent (30 head) of the arriving horses were skinny and
emaciated and 1% (12 hd.) were foundered or had obvious leg injuries. The body
condition score of these animals was 1 or 2 (Henneke et all 983). The greatest
welfare problems observed in this survey were caused by either neglect or abuse
at the point of origin (Table 4 chi square >.00l). Six percent of the horses
surveyed had serious welfare problems that occurred at the point of origin and
1.8% had severe welfare problems caused by injuries which occurred during
marketing or transport. Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 show examples.
|
Table 3. Horses not Fit for Travel to Slaughter Plant |
|
Total
1008 Horses Observed |
|
# of
Horses |
|
|
Reason |
|
|
4 |
Broken legs
at origin |
|
5 |
Emaciated &
weak arrived non-ambulatory |
|
1 |
Dead on
arrival |
|
2 |
Died
shortly after arrival |
|
1 |
emaciated,
ambulatory |
|
1 |
Foundered
pony could barely walk |
|
1 |
Severe limp
appeared to be in great pain |
|
Total 15
Horses |
1.5% Not
fit for Transport |
- No
horses in good body condition arrived non-ambulatory
|
Table 4. Severe Welfare Problems on all Vehicles
Minor Abrasions and Old Completely Healed Injuries Not Included |
|
Number
Horses |
Good
Condition |
Percent
Good Condition |
Number
Origin Problem |
Percent
Origin Problem |
Number
Transport or Market Injury |
Percent
Transport or Market Injury |
|
1008 |
930 |
92% |
60 |
6% |
18* |
1.8% |
* The following
welfare problems were included in the transport and market category:
1.
Kicks and bites on extensive parts of the body.
2.
Severe facial lacerations
3.
Severe abrasions and scrapes on the back, withers, and croup.
4.
Large deep flesh cuts.
5.
Eye injuries.
- Severe welfare problems caused by the owner were
significantly greater than welfare problems caused by transport. Chi Square
12.19 > .001.
|
Table 5. Severe Welfare Problems on 1008 Horses
Minor Abrasions, old completely healed injuries, or slight unsoundness are
not included |
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
Skinny and emaciated |
30 |
3% |
|
Foot problems - foundered or bent over foot or bowed
tendons |
12 |
1% |
|
Deformities |
2 |
.4% |
|
Broken leg at origin |
4 |
.3% |
|
Down on vehicle due to weak condition |
4 |
.3% |
|
Large deep cuts |
6 |
.5% |
|
Eye injuries |
2 |
.4% |
|
Dead on arrival or died shortly after unloading |
4 |
.3% |
|
Extensive infections |
3 |
.2% |
|
Behavior problem |
1 |
.09% |
|
Kick and bite marks over extensive parts of the body
(live evaluation) |
4 |
.3% |
|
Severe facial lacerations |
3 |
.2% |
|
Back scrapes during transport (severe only) |
3 |
.2% |
|
Total severe welfare problems |
78 hd. |
7.7% |
Table 6 shows the percentage of owner problems compared to all transport and
market injuries no matter how slight compared to trailer type. This ratio is
similar for the three types of trailers. Abrasions, lacerations or cuts on the
face, withers, back croup or tailhead are the only injuries that can be directly
attributed to trailer type. Table 7 shows the incidence of fresh head injuries
on a per horse basis for each type of trailer. It is likely that these injuries
occurred during transport. Double decks had more severe lacerations on the face
but there was not enough data to do statistics. (Figures 11, 12) Figures 13 and
14 show minor abrasions. The one double deck trailer that was loaded with 45
horses had one horse with a severe laceration on the face and two with abrasions
and damage on the top line. (Figure 12, 15). This was the worst load for
"trailer" damage and this load was the largest double deck load observed. Table
8 lists only severe injuries which occurred during transport and marketing on
500 horses. Three horses on double-decks and three horses on goosenecks arrived
with deep cuts through the hide (Table 8) Figures 17, 18 show examples of cuts
rated a severe welfare problem. Two horses on a double deck had severely scraped
backs and topline. None of the horses on a gooseneck or straight trailer were
observed with wither, back or croup injuries which were fresh enough to be
attributed to the vehicle the horses arrived on. Table 9 shows the incidence of
rubbing injuries and abrasions on the withers, back and croup. Figures 15, 16
show severe and minor damage. There was no difference between double decks and
other vehicles. This may be attributed to the fact that dealers and traders may
be transporting horses that have been on many vehicles. Head injuries could be
easily assessed for freshness, but top line injuries could not be aged to
determine if they occurred on the arrival vehicle or some other vehicle the
horse had been transported on.
|
Table 6. Effect of Trailer Type on Transport and Market Injuries both
Major and Slight Compared to Owner-Origin Problems |
|
Type
Trailer |
Number
Horses |
Number
Owner Problem |
Percent
Owner Problem |
Number
Market Transport Damage |
Percent
Market Transport Damage |
|
Double
Decks |
262 |
32 |
12% |
29 |
11% |
|
Straight
Trailer |
48 |
3 |
13% |
3 |
12% |
|
Gooseneck |
190 |
20 |
10.52% |
25 |
13% |
|
Total |
500 |
55 |
11% |
57 |
11% |
-
Transport and market damage includes, but is not limited to abrasions on
withers, back and croup scrapes, lacerations and abrasions on the head, fresh
cuts, bite marks, and eye injuries.
- Owner problems include, but are not limited to
emaciated, severe founder, broken legs, bowed tendons, extensive infections,
foot bent over, deformities, and tumors all over the body.
|
Table 7. Injuries Likely to be Caused by Transport:
Incidence of Injuries to the Head that are Fresh on a Per Horse Basis |
|
|
Number
Lacerated |
Percent
Lacerated |
Number
Minor Abrasions |
Percent
Minor Abrasions |
Total
Number |
|
Double Deck |
3 |
1% |
6 |
2% |
262 |
|
Gooseneck |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2% |
190 |
|
Straight
Semi Trailer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
|
Table 8. List of Serious Transport and Marketing Injuries on all body
parts. Minor Abrasions not included.
On 500 horses arriving at slaughter plants. |
|
|
Total
Number |
Gooseneck |
Straight
Trailer |
Double
Deck |
|
Large deep cuts through the hide |
6 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Severe face lacerations |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Numerous bite marks over large area of body |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Severe scraped backs and withers |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
List of severe deep cuts and
lacerations:
·
1 Cut vulva
·
1 Deep cut in shoulder with hanging skin flap
·
1 Deep cut in neck with hanging skin flap
·
1 Cut on knee
·
1 Lacerated hindquarter over extensive area
·
1 Eye knocked out
|
Table 9. Injuries Likely to be Caused by Transport:
Incidence of Rubbing Injuries on a Per Horse Basis to the Back, Withers,
or Trailhead. Injury counted if showed any redness. |
|
|
Number
of Horses |
Percent
Injured |
Total
Number |
|
Double Deck |
6 |
2% |
262 |
|
Gooseneck |
4 |
2% |
190 |
|
Straight
Semi Trailer |
2 |
4% |
48 |
-
There was no way to determine if the Rubbing Injuries that occurred in any of
these vehicles occurred on the arrival vehicle or in a vehicle the horse had
been on prior to boarding the arrival vehicle.
- A double deck load containing Belgian draft horses which
had many injuries on their backs and withers is not included on this table
because they arrived after the detailed data was collected on the first 500
horses.
Fighting is a major cause of injuries. Four horses out of 1008 had numerous
bite marks over a large area of their bodies. Figure 6 shows one of the worst
cases of bite injuries. Observations of fighting wounds while walking through
the holding pens or examining horses as they passed through the tagging chutes
at the plants indicated that 30 to 48% had visible marks caused by bites. Damage
due to kicking is often not visible on the horses' hide. Examination of
carcasses revealed that 13% of the carcasses had bite and kick bruises (Table
10). Fifty-one percent of all carcass bruises were caused by bites or kicks.
Figures 19, 20, 21 and 22 show bruises on carcasses due to kicks and bites.
|
Table 10. Percentage of Carcass Bruising Caused by Horses Fighting in Two
Different Plants on 3 Different Days |
|
Number
Horses |
Total
Bruised Carcasses |
Percent
Bruised Carcasses |
Number
of Bite & Kick Bruise Carcasses |
Percentage of Bite & Kick Bruise Carcasses |
Percentage of the Bruised Carcasses Caused by Fighting |
|
508 |
130 |
25% |
67 |
13% |
51% |
Horses which travel direct to slaughter had fewer external injuries and fewer
carcass bruises than horses transported to several auctions. Interviews with
dealers indicated that some dealers will go to several auctions to fill up their
trailers. Horses bought at the first auction have to be loaded and unloaded
several times for feed and water. Two double decks used by known dealers who buy
horses at more than one auction were compared to six direct double deck loads.
External injuries were visible on 7.5% of the horses on the multiple stop load
and 1.6% on the direct loads (Table 11). Direct loads had significantly fewer
bruises chi square >.00l. Bruises were also higher on a trailer load which made
multiple stops at several auctions. Bruises on this load were compared to all
the other horses that were slaughtered the same day. (Table 12). Examination of
carcasses is a useful method for assessing injuries caused by fighting. However,
injuries to the head which occur during transport can be more easily assessed by
examining the horse ante-mortem.
|
Table 11. Number of horses with minor and major injuries on two trader
double decks compared to 6 double deck loads which probably came direct.
Owner damage not shown on this table. Transport and market damage only. |
|
|
Total
Number |
All
Injuries |
Percent |
Severe
Injuries Only |
Percent |
|
2 Trader
Double Decks |
79 |
12 |
15% |
6 |
7.5% |
|
6 Double
Decks that came direct |
183 |
17 |
9% |
3 |
1.6% |
- Chi
Square Severe Injuries > .001 X 2 = 53.88
- List of Severe Injuries:
Trader Trucks -
1 Severe face laceration
2 Scraped backs
1 Cut knee
1 Deep shoulder cut
1 Numberous bites
Direct Trucks -
2 Face lacerations
1 Cut vulva
|
Table 12. Bruise Baseline Compared to a known Trader Load Which had Both
Old and New Bruising.
Data from one day in one plant. |
|
|
Total
No. |
No.
Bruised |
Percentage Bruised |
|
Number on
trader load |
45 |
13 |
28% |
|
All other
horses |
175 |
24 |
14% |
|
Plant
baseline both groups combined |
220 |
37 |
17% |
DISCUSSION
Approximately 73% of the severe welfare problems observed
at the slaughter plants did not occur during transport or marketing (Tables 4, 5
and 6). Some examples of severe welfare problems which were caused by the owner
were severely foundered feet, emaciated, skinny, weak horses, animals which had
became non-ambulatory and injuries to the legs such as bowed tendons. Four
horses were loaded with broken legs. One of these horses was a bucking bronc
that had broken its leg during a rodeo. It died shortly after arrival at a
plant. Out of 1008 horses observed at the slaughter plants, 7.7% had severe
welfare problems. Some of the worst animal welfare cases were brought in by two
"junk" dealers. Two "junk" loads contained two horses which were loaded with
broken legs, one dead on arrival and three non-ambulatory "downer" horses which
were in very poor body condition.
The most common injuries which occurred during actual transport were
abrasions and lacerations on the head and injuries along the back bone. Many
horses had bite marks due to fighting and six head (.5%) had deep cuts. These
injuries most likely occurred during the transport and marketing process. The
full extent of the injuries caused by fighting were not apparent until the
carcasses were examined for bruises. Damage from biting and kicking can often be
seen on the carcass even though the horse's hide appears undamaged.
Behavior problems are a likely explanation for many horses being sold for
slaughter. At the New Holland sale, 7% of the horses exhibited misbehavior in
the sale ring such as bucking or rearing when they were ridden into the ring.
This misbehavior is a likely reason why the horse was being sold. Each horse was
observed as it was ridden or lead in the ring.
Welfare problems in slaughter horses are listed in order of priority: It is
the authors' opinion that the top ranked problem causes the most suffering.
- Conditions caused by owner abuse or neglect.
- Injuries due to fighting when strange horses are mixed
in the marketing and transport channels.
- Injuries directly attributed to the design of the
trailer.
The most serious injuries and welfare problems are not caused by the type of
trailer the horses are transported in. The number one problem that needs to be
corrected in transport and marketing is injuries caused by horse fights. At the
New Holland sale three horses were injured in a fight that occurred in a "dealer
drop off pen". One horse received a severe eye injury. That horse and several
others had been purchased at another sale and they were unloaded at New Holland
for feed and water while the dealer purchased more horses. Injuries due to
fighting and injuries in general appeared to be worse in loads where strange
horses were constantly mixed as new horses were purchased to fill up the load.
Head injuries and back abrasions were elevated in double decks, but very
severe injuries such as a deep shoulder cuts are probably not caused by trailer
design. Double deck trailers should never be used for very tall horses. A load
containing Belgian draft horses had many animals with abrasions on their backs.
This load was not tabulated on the tables because it arrived after detailed data
was collected on the first 500 horses. One of the reasons why the data show a
trend for elevated double deck injuries is due to the fact that the double deck
vehicles appear to be more likely to be used by traders and dealers who take
horses from one sale to the injuries to the head which occur during transport
can be more easily assessed by examining the horse ante-mortem.
DISCUSSION
Approximately 73% of the severe welfare problems observed
at the slaughter plants did not occur during transport or marketing (Tables 4, 5
and 6). Some examples of severe welfare problems which were caused by the owner
were severely foundered feet, emaciated, skinny, weak horses, animals which had
became non-ambulatory and injuries to the legs such as bowed tendons. Four
horses were loaded with broken legs. One of these horses was a bucking bronc
that had broken its leg during a rodeo. It died shortly after arrival at a
plant. Out of 1008 horses observed at the slaughter plants, 7.7% had severe
welfare problems. Some of the worst animal welfare cases were brought in by two
"junk" dealers. Two 'junk" loads contained two horses which were loaded with
broken legs, one dead on arrival and three non-ambulatory "downer" horses which
were in very poor body condition.
The most common injuries which occurred during actual transport were
abrasions and lacerations on the head and injuries along the back bone. Many
horses had bite marks due to fighting and six head (.5%) had deep cuts. These
injuries most likely occurred during the transport and marketing process. The
full extent of the injuries caused by fighting were not apparent until the
carcasses were examined for bruises. Damage from biting and kicking can often be
seen on the carcass even though the horse's hide appears undamaged.
Behavior problems are a likely explanation for many horses being sold for
slaughter. At the New Holland sale, 7% of the horses exhibited misbehavior in
the sale ring such as bucking or rearing when they were ridden into the ring.
This misbehavior is a likely reason why the horse was being sold. Each horse was
observed as it was ridden or lead in the ring.
Welfare problems in slaughter horses are listed in order of priority: It is
the authors' opinion that the top ranked problem causes the most suffering.
- Conditions caused by owner abuse or neglect.
- Injuries due to fighting when strange horses are mixed
in the marketing and transport channels.
- Injuries directly attributed to the design of the
trailer.
The most serious injuries and welfare problems are not caused by the type of
trailer the horses are transported in. The number one problem that needs to be
corrected in transport and marketing is injuries caused by horse fights. At the
New Holland sale three horses were injured in a fight that occurred in a "dealer
drop off pen". One horse received a severe eye injury. That horse and several
others had been purchased at another sale and they were unloaded at New Holland
for feed and water while the dealer purchased more horses. Injuries due to
fighting and injuries in general appeared to be worse in loads where strange
horses were constantly mixed as new horses were purchased to fill up the load.
Head injuries and back abrasions were elevated in double decks, but very
severe injuries such as a deep shoulder cuts are probably not caused by trailer
design. Double deck trailers should never be used for very tall horses. A load
containing Belgian draft horses had many animals with abrasions on their backs.
This load was not tabulated on the tables because it arrived after detailed data
was collected on the first 500 horses. One of the reasons why the data show a
trend for elevated double deck injuries is due to the fact that the double deck
vehicles appear to be more likely to be used by traders and dealers who take
horses from one sale to the next. Loads which came from known traders or 'junk
dealers" had a higher percentage of injuries and serious welfare problems. Our
observations indicate that the particular owner of a trailer may have a greater
effect on injuries than trailer design. The responsible dealers and transporters
who closely supervise loading, supervise driver behavior and separate aggressive
horses will have a lower incidence of injuries. Double decks also transported
horses for much longer distances than goosenecks.
Another factor is the size of the load. A double deck load that contained 45
horses had three animals with facial and croup damage which were rated a serious
welfare problem. Even though this trailer had an extended belly (Figure 4) there
were more injuries on this trailer than a regular cattle double-deck which
provided less headroom. The high amount of injuries on this trailer are likely
due to the high load density and continual mixing of strange horses. This load
was brought in by a dealer who owned an auction. Another double-deck load of 44
feedlot colts had no transport or market damage. The animals were small enough
not to contact the ceiling. These colts had no marks on them from fighting
because they had been raised together. However, many had foundered due to high
feedlot grain rations. Horses can also be injured if a compartment is
underloaded. Horses with too much space may lie down and get stepped on by other
horses.
The biggest problem with double-deck trailers is loading and unloading.
(Figure 23) Horses are sometimes reluctant to walk down the internal ramps in
the trailer. On one load the driver had to poke the horses on the top deck with
a stick to induce them to go down the internal ramp in the trailer. Sometimes a
horse jumped and fell on the ramp. Several double decks that were unloaded at
night unloaded easily because the horses were attracted by the light in the
barn. A load containing small horses also unloaded easily during the daytime.
Another disadvantage of double decks is that horses cannot be lead onto the
trailer with a lead rope and halter. At New Holland one dealer led horses onto
his straight semi trailer and tied them with a halter and lead rope to prevent
fighting. Tying up horses with a lead rope and halter is one way to reduce
fighting injuries, but it is not practical for slaughter horses, some of which
are not halter broke. Leading a horse into a double deck is not practical
because it is too dangerous to lead horses up and down the internal ramps. The
main welfare concern with double decks is loading and unloading and injuries on
the face and top line of tall horses.
Trailer Research
Research conducted by Dr. Stull at the University of
California indicated that there were more injuries on a double deck compared to
a straight trailer (Stull, 1998). Physiological measurements indicated that the
horses were more stressed on the straight trailer. This was probably due to heat
stress. These physiological results are probably due to the design of the
trailers used in this particular study. The double deck may have had better
ventilation. Figures 24 and 25 shows the straight trailer used in this study.
The single deck trailer could be easily modified to improve air movement in the
vehicle. The trailer used in this study had a large faring which blocked air
flow and solid sides partway up the sides of the trailer. It also lacked nose
vents. Transporters will often install plywood in a semi trailer to prevent
horses from kicking out the sides. This will reduce ventilation. Ventilation can
be improved by sawing holes in the plywood with a hole saw. One enterprising
trucker observed during the survey had done this to improve ventilation.
Some people do not approve of the horse slaughter industry and they would
like to shut it down. This would probably be very detrimental to horse welfare.
The fates of many horses would be worse if the slaughter plants were shut down
because more horses would probably go to Mexico where their welfare is likely to
be much worse. Humane slaughter procedures are not enforced in Mexico. The
incidence of horse neglect may increase because in many parts of the country
owners would have to pay to have a euthanized horse taken to a rendering plant.
Rendering plants are declining in numbers and the fee to pickup a horse carcass
can vary from free to several hundred dollars. This depends on where the
rendering plant is located. Disposal of horse carcasses on the farm or on one's
own property is often not an option. In some states it is illegal to bury a dead
horse on your property. In states where burial is legal there are still problems
with frozen ground in the winter time which makes burial impossible. Other
alternatives to slaughter such as cremation would be expensive. People who can
afford cremation can chose it, but people who can not afford it are more likely
to sell their horse at an auction or to a horse dealer. If the horse is ridable
the dealer would probably sell it for riding but, if it is not ridable then it
is likely to be sold for slaughter. If horses have to be shipped to either
Canada or Mexico transport times will increase even further.
If the bill forbidding the sale of horses for slaughter is passed in
California, the cases of horse neglect will probably increase. This is most
likely to occur in low income areas. Some people who can not afford to euthanize
a horse may let it die from neglect. This is a slow death and slaughter would be
preferable. Interviews with persons involved with the horse industry indicate
that horse neglect is already a serious welfare problem in low income areas in
California. Horse owners need to be educated that they are responsible for the
welfare of their horses.
A load was observed arriving at a slaughter plant which contained many
Standard-bred carriage horses and
Belgian draft horses that were not fit enough to be sold at New Holland. The New
Holland sale will not accept horses that are severely lame or in very poor
condition. Twenty-six of the horses were in very poor body condition. This was
one of the "underground" loads, which bypassed the New Holland sale. Most of the
carriage
horses and Belgians on this load
originated from Pennsylvania.
The authors are very concerned about the fate of many severely lame or
emaciated horses which go into market channels outside of the auctions. The New
Holland sale has banned horses with severe welfare problems from their sale.
However, horses from the area near the New Holland sale which were severely lame
or emaciated arrived at a slaughter plant. They were brought in by a dealer who
buys horses that are not sold at an auction. It is the horse owner's
responsibility to euthanize a horse which is severely debilitated and not fit to
travel. The "junk horse dealers" would not exist if an old or ailing horse was
either euthanized or sold for slaughter before its condition deteriorated.
Fight Injuries
Another major conclusion of the survey is that injuries
from horse fights must be reduced. Fighting is the most common cause of severe
injuries which occur during transporting and marketing. Fighting was the main
cause of bruising on horse carcasses (Table 10). Aggressive horses must be
removed and segregated. Segregating stallions helps but does not solve the
entire aggressive horse problem. Aggressive geldings and mares must be separated
and handled in the same manner as stallions. When strange horses are first mixed
they must be observed so that aggressive horses can be removed. The worst horse
fights often occur shortly after mixing. Confinement in small pens makes it
impossible for the subordinate horse to escape from its attacker. Four horses in
the survey had numerous bites over extensive areas of their bodies. They were
rated a serious welfare problem. The worst fight injuries will occur when a
subordinate horse is unable to escape from its attacker. This is most likely to
occur in a small pen or while a trailer is parked.
Recommendations
Educate horse owners that they are responsible for the
welfare of their horse. If they do not want it to go to the slaughter they
should not sell a lame or old horse at an auction or to a dealer. Problems with
horses that are emaciated or otherwise not fit for transport must be stopped at
the source. New Federal regulations on the transport of horses to slaughter will
be most effective if they contain regulations which forbid transport of severely
debilitated horses. To prevent them from entering underground 'junk" marketing
channels the regulations should contain provisions for inspecting loads of
horses on the highways and at truck weigh stations.
Enforcement can also be done at USDA inspected horse slaughter facilities.
Even though horse slaughter plants are an emotional subject for some horse
owners, they are one place where Federal authorities can easily intervene. Horse
welfare would be much worse if the U.S. plants shut down and slaughter horses
went either to Mexico or into an underground market. Underground markets are
impossible to regulate. Possible end points for "underground" horse meat would
be dog food, zoo animal food or uninspected meat in ethnic communities.
Uninspected horse meat used for human consumption could have severe consequences
for public health.
Having sufficient horse slaughter facilities with USDA inspection will
prevent the formation of an unsavory underground market. Welfare problems will
increase if any of the remaining plants are closed. Transport distances are
already very long. If transport length restrictions are imposed this will drive
many horses into an underground market that can not be regulated.
Signs of underground activity were observed during the survey. At New
Holland, one arriving trailer left without unloading when its driver saw the
first author at the unloading dock. At one of the slaughter plants, horse
numbers greatly decreased during the last day of observations. Word was out
among the dealers that they were being "watched" for bad horses. The load which
contained the Belgians and carriage horses
was a load that the dealers had collected that was not fit for sale at the New
Holland auction. As our days of observation increased the incidence of carcass
damage caused by rough truck drivers with sticks may have decreased. People knew
they were being watched.
The condition of arriving horses at a USDA inspected facility can be
monitored. Horse slaughter plants have an important role in the enforcement of
any new horse transport regulations because they are Federally inspected
facilities. At the present time Federal authorities only have oversight at
slaughter facilities and auctions. Activities in other locations are
unmonitored. Horses that arrive at a USDA inspected slaughter plant in a
severely debilitated condition or have severe transport and marketing injuries
can be observed. Dealers and owners could be fined for cruelty to animals. Many
severe injuries show up as bruises on the slaughter floor. A horse that looks
fine on the outside can have many severe kick bruises. Damage from fighting is
very visible on the carcasses. Monitoring of bruising is a very effective method
for determining which trucks and which dealers have extensive fighting injuries
on their horses. People who habitually bring horses in that have been bruised
could also be fined for cruelty to animals. Horse slaughter plants also need to
develop and implement procedures for euthanizing horses that may be suffering
that arrive when the plant is not open on nights and weekends.
Many horse owners are concerned that their favorite riding horse maybe stolen
and sold for slaughter. Another recommendation is to station a USDA/APHIS
Federal identity and welfare person at each plant. The meat inspection staff who
work for USDA/FSIS are too busy to take on these responsibilities. If a horse is
stolen or missing a horse owner could call a toll free number and report the
theft. Horse owners could also report thefts on a USDA web page which has an
easy to remember address like www.stolenhorse.gov. Horse associations and riding
clubs should encourage their members to have clear photographs of facial
markings and other distinctive features of their horse which could be used for
positive identification. When microchipping becomes available for horse
identification it could also be used.
If the U.S. horse slaughter plants are closed it will become impossible to
regulate horse slaughter. Horses will cross over into Mexico and disappear. It
is important for horse welfare that the remaining four slaughter plants remain
open, but the condition of horses arriving at the plants must be improved.
Outline of Recommendations to the USDA:
- Educate horse owners that they are responsible for the
welfare of their horses. If they object to horse slaughter they should not
sell a lame or debilitated horse at either an auction or to a dealer unless
they are certain where it will end up.
- Since neglect or abuse of the horses at the point of
origin was the cause of the greatest number of severe welfare problems; show
associations, riding clubs, breed associations and racing associations should
all have horse care guidelines to help prevent problems such as founder and
bowed tendons. Horse associations should include statements in their
guidelines that specify allowing horses to become emaciated or severely
debilitated is not acceptable. Racing associations should be proactive and
stop the practice of racing horses before their leg bones are mature. Since
"backyard" horses are probably a large segment of the neglected horses the
USDA/APHIS and organized horse associations should work with local animal
shelters and humane societies who care for stray dogs and cats to address
cases of horse neglect.
- Station USDA/APHIS inspectors at the horse slaughter
plants to find stolen horses and monitor the condition of arriving horses.
- Dealers, owners and drivers who transport horses to a
horse slaughter plant that are not fit for travel should receive severe
penalties. A USDA/APHIS inspector at the slaughter plant could also fine
drivers, dealers and owners who bring in horses with severe injuries caused by
either low ceilings or fighting.
- When strange horses are mixed they should be carefully
observed. Aggressive horses must be separated and placed in a separate pen.
Geldings and mares that continually attack other horses must be removed and
handled in the same manner as stallions. Research methods to reduce injuries
caused by horse fights, that are practical and easy to implement.
- Work with horse associations and riding clubs to
encourage horse owners to document their horse's identity so it can be traced
if stolen.
- Implement procedures at each horse slaughter plant so
that a severely injured or debilitated horse that arrives when the plant is
closed can be euthanized immediately.
- Work with various state agencies such as the agencies
who weigh trucks to fine drivers transporting horses in vehicles where a
horse's back, withers or croup has received abrasions from rubbing on the
ceiling of a compartment. Trailers could also be checked for overloading.
- To prevent the formation of more and more underground
markets the four operating horse plants must be encouraged to remain open.
Closure of these plants will result in horses being transported to Mexico
where there is little or no enforcement of animal welfare standards.
- Double-deck "pot" semi-trailers must not be used to
transport very tall horses such as large draft breeds or Thoroughbreds, more
than 16 hands tall.
- Educate horse owners about using gentle training methods
to help prevent behavior problems which cause a horse to be sold for
slaughter.
References
Boissy A. 1998. Fear and fearfulness in determining
behavior. In: T. Grandin (Editor), Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic
Animals. Academic Press. San Diego, CA pp.67-112.
Grandin, T. 1997. Assessment of stress during handling and transport.
J. Anim. Sci. 75:249-257.
Grandin, T. and Deesing, M.J. 1998. Behavioral genetics and Animal Science.
In: T. Grandin (Editor), Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals. Academic
Press. San Diego, CA. 1-30.
Henneke, D.R., Potter, G.D., Kreider, J.L. and Yeates, B.F. 1983.
Relationship between body condition score, physical measurement and body fat
percentage in mares. Equine Veterinarian. 15:371-372.
Rogen, M.T. and LeDoux, J.E. 1996. Emotion: systems cells and synaptic
plasticity cell (Cambridge, MA) 83:369-475.
Stull, C.L. 1998. Health and welfare parameters of horses commercially
transported to slaughter. J. Anim. Sci. 76:88 (Supl 1) (Abstract).
Appendix Detailed
New Holland Sale Report
Visit to New Holland July 27, 1998
by: Temple Grandin
Department of Animal Science
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Horses arriving at the sale had very little damage. All
horses sold at the auction were individually tied up with a halter and lead rope
in long rows in a barn. They were kept tied at all times. They were either led
through the sale ring with a halter or ridden. No horses were chased through the
ring like cattle. All horses that were sold in the sale ring could walk easily
and had good mobility. Handling of horses that were in the auction was
excellent. 168 horses, ponies, mules and donkeys were sold through the sale
ring.
Most horses arrived at the sale on either goosenecks, or horse trailers.
(Tables A and B) Over 90% arrived on goosenecks. None of the goosenecks had
stalls and all horses were tied in the trailer with a lead rope and halter. When
I arrived at 6:00AM, 48 horses had already arrived the night before and only one
had a scratched face.
Fresh Abrasions on Arriving horses:
1 Scratched face
2 Abrasions from pulling back on
the halter
1 Surface scrape on the rear with
no bleeding
2 Facial abrasions
1 Hip abrasions
Only seven horses had abrasions which probably occurred during transport.
Ninety six percent of the horses had no fresh abrasions that could have occurred
during transport.
The abrasions observed on the horses arriving at the sale were the type of
small abrasions which often occur when a horse is transported under the best of
conditions. All of the handling at the unloading chutes was good. All injuries
observed during unloading were very minor compared to injuries observed at the
slaughter plants immediately after arrival. No photos were allowed in the
auction.
Sale Ring Observations
Every horse which was sold in the sale ring was observed.
The horses in the sale ranged from ponies and riding horses which sold for over
a $1000 to slaughter horses in poor condition which sold for under $200. The
condition of each animal was judged as it went through the ring. All horses sold
were fit enough for travel.
|
New Holland Animal Welfare Problem Animals |
|
|
Number
Horses |
Percent of
168 Animals Sold |
|
Skinny |
6 |
3.5% |
|
Behavior
Problems |
12 |
7.0% |
|
Physically
Abused |
2 |
1.1% |
|
Total |
20 |
11.6% |
Scoring System
A horse was listed as "skinny" if it had a body condition
score "2" (Henneke et al 1983). A score of 1 is emaciated. These horses would be
considered a welfare problem. A behavior problem was recorded if a horse reared,
bucked or had an indication of a behavior problem announced by the auctioneer.
There was a tendency for nervous horses to have more surface scrapes and many
behavior problem horses had old healed scrapes.
There was a total of 21 horses (12.5%) which had welfare problems which were
caused by the owner or by previous bad experiences with handling and training.
Skinny Body Condition of 2:
2 Draft horses
3
Carriage horses
1 Backyard type horse
Behavior Problems - all Mature Riding Horses unless noted:
4 Reared in ring with a rider
2 Bucked in ring with a rider
1 "Kicking problem" - Announced
by auctioneer
2 "Not for beginners" - Announced
by auctioneer
1 Draft horse that shied at
everything
1 Beautiful Arab - lead into ring
- Announced "unridable"
1 High headed and snorting
It is likely that some of the behavior problems observed in the auction ring
were caused by abusive training methods which cause the horse to have fear
memories of its bad experiences. Even after extensive retraining the fear
memories can still resurface and cause misbehavior. The emphasis has to be on
using gentle training methods to prevent the formation of fear memories. For
more information (Grandin 1997, LeDoux 1997, Boissey 1998 and Grandin and
Deesing 1998).
Physically Abused Horses - No Severely lame horses in sale:
2 Draft horses - with old healed
severe injuries from horse collars. The first horse had a 4" deep by 6" wide
depression in its upper neck area caused by a horse collar. There were extensive
areas where the hair had grown back in white which is a sign of injury.
The second draft horse had white
hair where the collar had been and a swelling approximately 6" long by 3" high
where the collar would have rubbed.
None of the horses loaded out from the sale had any significant injuries. The
were all loaded out without any incident more serious than bumping a truck door.
Horses that I did not observe loading were either walked out of the sale barn or
spent the night at the barn. The two large dealer trucks which were scheduled
were observed. All other horses were waiting to be picked up by local people.
The main place where horses got injured at New Holland was in the "drop off'
pens where dealers coming to the sale unload horses bought at a previous sale
for feed and water. Some of these horses had come in from other states. Loose
horses in the "drop off' pens fought during the sale. Horses put in the "drop
off' pens were not tied up with a halter and lead rope. After the sale one pen
contained three freshly injured horses. One horse had severe injuries and two
had moderate injuries. Fighting was the most likely cause of the injuries.
Horse 1. Severe fresh eye injury
with a flap of cornea hanging down.
Horse 2. Bleeding lacerated
forehead probably caused by hitting hay feeder during a fight.
Horse 3. Numerous fresh bite
marks.
None of these horses was sold in the sale ring. The injuries in the "drop
off' pen were similar to injuries observed at the slaughter plants. Dealers need
to have "drop off' pens otherwise horses bought at previous sales would stay on
a truck for days as the dealer traveled from sale to sale.
There are three methods for reducing injuries in "drop off' pens:
- Tie horses to the fence with a halter and lead rope
- Design drop off pens so that horses that traveled
together can be penned together. This would be easier than tying them all up.
One dealer informed the owner that keeping horses in the same groups the
traveled in reduced fighting.
- Remove very aggressive and very submissive horses from
the pen
Horses are most likely to fight when they are first mixed. They must be
observed and very aggressive horses that are biting and kicking other horses
must be removed. Removing stallions, is important, but stallions are not the
source of all aggression problems. The emphasis has to be on removing aggressive
horses regardless of gender. These aggressive animals need to be separated. Very
submissive horses that are often targets of attack also need to be removed.
Observations at one slaughter plant indicated that the horses in the vicinity
of New Holland that have very serious welfare problems are not being sold at the
New Holland Sale. A truck load of draft horses and standard bred
carriage horses of the type that are
commonly used in the New Holland area arrived at the plant. Twenty six of these
horses were skinny and in much poorer body condition than the
carriage horses and draft horses which
were observed in the New Holland sale ring. The load containing these horses
originated outside the state of Pennsylvania. One can conclude that horses which
are not fit enough to be sold at New Holland are entering on underground market.
The diversion of horses with serious welfare problems into an underground market
is a grave concern. The New Holland sale does not accept horses which are
severely lame or in very poor body condition.
|
Table A. New Holland Arrival Vehicles Unloading Observed |
|
Number |
Vehicle
Type |
Number
Horses |
Minor
Injuries |
Percent |
|
1 |
40 ft.
straight trailer |
7 horses
from auction in New Jersey |
1 swelling
over eye 2-3 days old |
14% |
|
16 |
Goosenecks |
44 |
5 very
minor abrasions |
11% |
|
4 |
2 horse
trailers |
6 |
1 minor
abrasion |
? |
|
1 |
4 horse
trailer |
started to
drive in, saw us, and drove away |
? |
? |
|
1 |
old show
van |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
horses
walked in |
14 |
0 |
0 |
|
Table B. New Holland Loading Out Vehicles Observed |
|
Number |
Vehicle
Type |
Number
Horses |
Injuries
Loading |
|
2 |
40 ft.
straight trailers
1st trailer 7 hd. tied, 6 loose
2nd trailer 29 loose and stallion held
in separate compartment |
42 |
1 banged
hip on door
no visible damage |
|
10 |
Goosenecks |
37 |
0 |
|
1 |
pickup box
for cattle low cicling (local) |
2 |
Draft horse
rubbed on door while entering
no visible damage |
-
Walked to parking area: 10 estimated
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