The MLA have developed a great resource Is it fit to load? to help you decide whether an animal is fit to be loaded, for transport by road or rail to any destination within Australia. It is an offence to load and transport an animal in away that causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm. These Standards replace the individual state and territory codes of practice regarding animal welfare, so the same rules for livestock transport now apply nationwide. 

An animal is not fit for the journey if it:

• cannot walk normally, bearing weight on all legs
• is severely emaciated or visibly dehydrated
• is suffering from severe visible distress or injury
• is in a condition that could cause it increased pain or distress during transport
• is blind in both eyes
• is in late pregnancy

If you identify an animal which is unfit to load, you can:

• treat the animal and transport it when recovered and fit to load
• humanely destroy the animal
• consult a vet and then transport the animal only under veterinary advice

The guide also includes feed and water curfews, and specific examples of animals which are unfit to load. Please ask us if you're not sure about an animal's fitness to travel.

Remember: If in doubt – leave it out!

A broken leg is usually a death sentence for a horse - a horse’s size, anatomy and heavy dependence on four fully functional limbs means that they usually cannot be treated like that of a dog, cat or human with a broken leg. Nevertheless, there are instances where broken legs can be repaired, with some horses even returning to competition.

Such is the case with this promising 4 year old Standardbred mare, who became suddenly lame during fast work, prompting her trainer to call the vet.

The mare obviously lame in the front left and there was some swelling developing around the pastern and fetlock area. Several diagnostic tests were performed to investigate the cause of the lameness, as there were a number of possible diagnoses. X-rays were taken and showed clearly that the mare had fractured her pastern bone (or P1 bone).

Fractures of the P1 bone may occur in any type of horse used for performance, but more commonly in those that exercise at high speed. The P1 bone may fracture in a variety of ways including: chip fractures along the joint surface, sagittally or "down the middle" (as shown in this case), or comminuted (multiple fragments). The prognosis and treatment options vary depending on the type and extent of the fracture.

In this case, the fracture was able to be repaired by a specialist surgeon with the placement of two large screws across the bone. The screws act to stabilize the break and allow the bone to heal. With several weeks of box rest in a protective cast and bandage, followed by yard rest and a steady rehabilitation process this mare is expected to have a 70-80% chance of returning to racing.

The Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program is the Australian livestock industry’s on-farm assurance program covering food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity. It provides evidence of livestock history and on-farm practices when transferring livestock through the value chain.

Seven separate but complementary elements make up the LPA program. Whilst participation is technically voluntary, in practice it is not because without LPA accreditation, producers do not have access to the National Vendor Declaration Form. Without this form, it is not possible to sell stock to processors and feedlots (MLA 2017).

The seven requirements are:

1. Property risk assessments
2. Safe and responsible animal treatments
3. Stock foods, fodder crops, grain and pasture treatments
4. Preparation for dispatch of livestock
5. Livestock transactions and movements
6. Biosecurity
7. Animal Welfare

The animal welfare component has been in effect since 1st October 2017. Under LPA, on-farm systems must be implemented to ensure the handling of livestock is consistent with the requirements of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for cattle, sheep and goats (as applicable).

Requirements include:

+ A copy of the current version of the Standards and Guidelines for cattle, sheep and/or goats (as applicable) is accessible as a reference
+ The PIC representative or persons responsible for the handling of livestock have successfully completed training in relation to the Standards and Guidelines through the LPA eLearning Tool or equivalent training
+ The staff involved in animal husbandry are familiar with the content of the current version of the Standards and Guidelines for cattle, sheep and/or goats (as applicable)
+ Any other procedures or practices that contribute to improved animal welfare Outcomes

Republished from Australian Cattle Veterinarians Conference Proceedings 2018