Modern cars come equipped with excellent air conditioning and heating systems, to ensure the utmost comfort during a journey. The benefits of these components in a long journey are self-evident and once you are used to them, it is hard to imagine travel without such luxuries.

Animals being transported in trailers or floats are not so lucky. They are unable toclose a window and block the stream of airborne dust, pollen and bugs that enterstheir air space during a journey. They cannot choose to have a travel break and getout of their vehicle. Their conditions are governed wholly by the transport andconditions we provide for them and, due to factors such as pollution and heat, oftenthese conditions can cause stress, discomfort and illness. Luckily, just as our carshave been improved with air conditioning, we can improve the comfort of journeys forour animals through the use of proper ventilation.

Training our horses, and ourselves, for competitive events and races requires a highdegree of commitment and emotional investment. It is therefore imperative that, inorder to do justice to the effort and time we have put into preparation for eventsand competitions, we enable ourselves and our animals to perform to the best of ourabilities. Training, diet, exercise and grooming are all important factors in therun-up to a competition, but another vitally important part of successful preparationwhich is often underestimated is the transportation of animals to events. Researchhas shown that animal health is affected during transit and aspects to be consideredinclude restraints, positioning, high density of animals and ventilation.

Ventilation problems which arise are largely to do with heating (especiallyoverheating) and pollution experienced during transit.

In Elvira Currie’s study on improving the welfare of animals during transit, sheasserts that transport is “considered to be the greatest predisposing factorcontributing to severe lower respiratory tract infection in horses” with therespiratory system being affected by dehydration and pollution. Furthermore, Curriestates research by Racklyeft, Raidal and Love in 2000 which found that strenuousexercise immediately after transport greatly increases the risk of respiratoryinfection. Therefore if your horse is suffering the effects of poor ventilation,affecting their respiratory system, it is inadvisable to let them go on to compete inany event.

Health problems related to overheating in horses and other animals include shock,diarrhoea, kidney failure, muscle cramping and stiffness. It is clear that if youranimal is suffering from any of these ill effects following a journey, they will notbe able to do justice to their abilities and experience in competition.

It is possible to empathise with our animals when it comes to comfortable and safetransportation. Would you want to run a race feeling dehydrated or having difficultybreathing? No; you would want to feel well-rested, well-prepared and at the top ofyour health. This is exactly what our animals need too.

Ventilation must be effective to minimise the risks of dehydration and pollution.Ideally a ventilation system will provide greater air flow, filtered air and will notbe affected by adverse weather conditions. Providing your horses with the optimumconditions for travel will ensure their comfort and health during a journey and willalso help to ensure that your hard work and preparation for an event or race is notwasted.

In addition to this, effective ventilation for your horse(s) during transport cansave you from expensive veterinary bills, but most importantly, you will save youranimals from discomfort, stress, pain and the possibility of long-term illness.Instead you can be sure that you and your horse will reach your destination on topform and ready to win!

The reason for ensuring good ventilation for our animals during transit, be theyhorses, greyhounds or even alpacas, is to provide the best possible welfare for thecreatures we have responsibility for, ensuring their comfort and well-being.Currently, standard ventilation methods tend to be straightforward windows and vents.There are a number of issues associated with these – firstly, they can be affected bythe weather as they may need to be shut against extreme conditions such as heavy rainand hail. Also, when rear vents such as doors are open, exhaust fumes can actuallybe sucked right into your animal’s trailer or float and through its air space. Bykeeping these doors open, you may seem to be doing the right thing, by providing amethod of ventilation which is not directly adjacent to the exhaust outlet of avehicle. However, the effects of air pressure when a vehicle gathers speed are suchthat the exhaust fumes will go underneath the trailer or float but will then be drawnin through the rear doors.

Animal welfare rules and guidelines address the issue of ventilation.The Department of Local Government and Regional Development for Western Australia haspublished a Code of Practice specifically for horse transportation which states thatthe air circulation in enclosed vehicles should be sufficient to prevent bacterialbuild-up and that a mechanical means of forcing the circulation of air may benecessary for enclosed vehicles. Another point made is that the exhaust system of thetowing vehicle must not pollute the air inside the animal’s transport. As we haveseen, current methods of ventilation do not necessarily prevent this fromhappening.

RSPCA Australia advises that good ventilation is vital to avoid heatstroke; one ofthe factors it attributes heatstroke to is lack of acclimatisation to heat. This is apotential problem during transport as the float or trailer could become heatedquickly, particularly on a hot day or if there are a number of animals containedwithin. When the ambient temperature outside is 22⁰C, the temperature in a vehicle canrise to over 47⁰C within 60 minutes. Clearly this is going to cause severe problemsfor animals within vehicles but through ensuring effective ventilation, risks arereduced greatly. For those animals, such as dogs, which cool down via evaporativecooling (panting), adequate airflow is required.

It is clear from the emphasis placed on the importance of ventilation during animaltransport by the above authorities that this is a critical area when it comes to thesafe and humane transport of horses, alpacas, greyhounds, and any other animals whichare subject to travelling in similar conditions. By planning ahead and exploring theoptions available for suitable ventilation you will keep your animals healthy, happyand in the best condition to event, race, or just enjoy life to the full.

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