Equine Transport Stress and Pharmacopuncture

Horses show measurable signs of increased stress when they are transported. These signs are seen even in horses that have been trailered often and have never been injured during transport. Though the stress level may not be extreme, it can contribute to fatigue and may play a role in colic and respiratory infections that sometimes affect horses after long trips.

Acupuncture has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress responses in both animals and humans. In another technique, pharmacopuncture, small doses of various drugs are injected into acupuncture points. This treatment seeks therapeutic results without the side effects that may be seen when larger doses of the drugs are used.

A study conducted in Brazil examined the effect of acepromazine, a commonly used sedative, on transported horses. Eight horses were used in four treatments. Two horses had saline injections at the base of the neck; two horses had acepromazine injections at the same location; two horses had saline injections at the GV 1 acupuncture point; and two horses had acepromazine injections at that point. All horses were then loaded onto trailers and transported for 2.5 hours.

When the horses were unloaded after transport, control horses (those injected with saline) showed increases in heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and serum cortisol level. Horses injected with acepromazine at the base of the neck showed no increase in respiratory rate but did have an increase in cortisol. Pharmacopuncture-treated horses had lower average heart rates and less increase in heart rate during transport, while other variables did not change.

Pharmacopuncture may prove to be a valuable tool to reduce stress in transported horses, allowing them to avoid some of the negative effects of long-distance travel.